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Systems and methods for preloading a bearing and aligning a lock nut

  • US 9,850,943 B1
  • Filed: 04/07/2017
  • Issued: 12/26/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of adjusting preload on a bearing assembly of a wheel mounted on an axle or spindle with a lock nut comprising:

  • mounting a preload adjustment tool comprising a preload measurement gage onto a threaded axle or spindle;

    increasing a load on the bearing assembly using the adjustment tool;

    rotating the wheel on the axle or spindle to set the bearing assembly;

    decreasing the load on the bearing assembly to a desired maximum preload on the bearing;

    after decreasing the load on the bearing assembly to a desired maximum preload;

    tightening the lock nut on the bearing assembly by hand until the lock nut cannot be further tightened;

    loosening the lock nut by rotating the lock nut to a preferred location where a guide mark on the adjustment tool aligns with one mark of a series of marks on the lock nut located closest to said guide mark wherein a resultant preload on said bearing assembly is within a preset range from said desired maximum preload.

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