Wheel bearing nutlocks. 80 series.

[84sloth]

hey people i have a common problem with the locking tabs for my wheel bearing nuts on the front of my ute. it always strips the the tab that sits in the spindle allows my wheel bearings to loosen. what can i do.. i use new ones everytime. there's an aftermarket kit ive seen but cant remember what they were called. can anybody point me in the right direction?

[McLarryBob]

I always use Genuine and I never had a problem. Not sure what they retail for though.

When you say you've seen an after market kit, do you mean a wheel bearing kit or some other locking device completely?

[dogbreath_48]

Are you overtightening the outer nut? Specified torque is very close to breaking the tab - doesn't take much more to knock it off!

[80's_delirious]

It's not a problem I've ever had and I often re-use them if I've just re-adjusted the pre-load on the bearings.
When you put the locking tab and the locking nuts in, are they dry, or do you use a bit of grease? do you torque the lock nuts up with a 54mm socket, or use a screwdriver and hammer?

I always use a hub nut socket, and generally everything will be greased, not sure if it solves your problem??

[84sloth]

ill try giving em a bit of grease. i usually do them up with a coal chisel. i may have to invest in some new nuts and a hub socket the aftermarket kit its just a different style for locking up the nuts. but if you fella's arent having a problem then ill try your method

cheers dudes

[80's_delirious]

I would guess the cold chisel method is your problem, it burrs the edges of the nuts, so you won't get consistent clamping force. Also the uncontrolled torque and impact you are putting on the little tab could be enough to sheer it off.

A hub nut socket is maybe $30 on ebay ($70 at my local parts shop), get one to suit your socket set. I take mine bush and have had blokes who use the cold chisel method comment on how easy it makes things when you have to pull a busted CV in the bush.


Invest in new nuts!? Just get your's back out of your girl's handbag . . . . .


Oh wait, you meant new locking nuts! Yeah, good idea