32-33 Ford BB truck axle nut torque?

chevy43

Member
I need to know the torque for the big nut that holds the tapered drums on the rear axle of BB trucks.
Thank you!
 
The August 1932 Service Bulletins say to jack up the rear so the tire has just enough weight so the tire won't turn when tightening the nut. The wrench they show it about 22"-24" long, sticks out past the tire about 6".
 
I asked the google axle intelligence guy 'what are the 1932 ford bb truck rear axle torque specs'. He claims "For a 1932 Ford BB truck rear axle, the axle nut torque specification is generally around 188-254 lb-ft (foot-pounds)" So I'd guess an average 221 ft-lbs should be good. 8^)
 
If it is the nut that is on the tapered roller bearings , I would look on the timken site,
Lawrie
 
“An average person might be able to exert around 100–150 pounds of force with an arm pull. Multiplying by the 2‑ft lever gives roughly: * 100 lbs × 2 ft = 200 ft‑lbs * 150 lbs × 2 ft = 300 ft‑lbs So, you’re looking at approximately **200–300 ft‑lbs of torque**.”

So sayeth ChatGPT
 
All happy now!
 

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I was a professional truck mechanic and it's important to use the correct torque amounts, but I've never seen "any" torque readings for these old vehicles, even the dealers did not have them. No engine bolt torque readings either. I have all of my dad's Ford bulletins and there was no torque values listed in any of the hardware. So, then it becomes an educated guess as to how much torque to use. You can look for a chart that shows the amounts for modern size bolts, grade 5 and grade 8 and go with those. You want enough pressure on the nut for it to hold the torque but not so much that it damages the threads. I see more nuts damaged by being overtightened then leaving them too loose. I had a '32 1 1/2-ton truck and I never did have a puller to remove the rear drums, they were really on there, so I left then alone. Then I sold it and later bought a '34 1 1/2 ton truck. That has modern full floating rear wheel bearings. You adjust the inner nut to reprieve all of the play with maybe just a little pre-load, not much. Then lock that nut down with the jamb nut, Thats how all modern trucks have been done made ever sense, at least they were until I retired.
 
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