trailer spindle nut

[995jim]

Hello, If I set my heel bearings and back the spindle castle nut to the closest cotter hole but still have a very slight play when I try to wiggle the tire side to side Im assuming I should go ahead and snug the nut to the next cotter hole to eliminate said play. Is the elimination of play more important or is backing the nut off and pinning even if there is possibility of bearing play. Note: the play is only felt with the tire and wheel assembled.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Tighten to 20 ft-lb while spinning the hub, then back off to nearest hole

 

[bajaman123]

Scott nailed it.
Some just tighten the nut, spinning the wheel until resistance is felt, then backing off one hole. The point is to pre-load the bearing.

 

[Chris1956]

If you cannot take the play out of the bearing, without tightening it enough to bind, the bearing is bad and should be replaced.

After you have set the bearing nut, and if the bearing is good, spin the tire. It should come to a stop very gradually, and ideally, spin backward.

If it stops while still spinning a bit, the bearing is either too tight or bad.

 

[dingbat]

It’s quite possible the races is not seated.

From the procedure below:
Use a torque wrench to tighten the adjusting nut to 50 ft. lbs. while turning the rotor. Back off the adjusting nut 1 full turn. Re-torque the nut to 10 ft. lbs. while turning the rotor. Next, back off the adjusting nut ¼ turn. Lock the nut with a new cotter pin.

Be sure to check bearing preload after your first couple of trips

https://www.timken.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Timken-LV4-Wheel-Bearing-Replacement_7562.pdf