Setting the Preload on the pinion bearings

[mrraford]

Back when I rebuilt the differential for the Tudor I could not get a consistent reading with my inch pound wrench. It just wouldn't work for me. At that time, I found a dissertation by one of the experienced hands that worked like a champ and resulted in a practical solution for the torque wrench impaired.
The solution involved adjusting the preload on the drive shaft and gauging the torque by hanging a weight of a specified amount from the rim of the pumpkin. When you achieved the correct torque, the weight would start to turn the pumpkin. Amazingly my inch pound wrench confirmed that I had it set properly after the procedure. I successfully completed two differentials using this method and ten years on they are both still working well. Unfortunately, the source of this procedure has passed so I can't go back to him.
Ok, in my infinite wisdom, I took that procedure and filed it away for safe keeping. Now I cannot find it. Does anybody here know of this method? I am looking for the amount of weight that I need to suspend from the pumpkin while torqueing the nuts on the bearings. Please chime in.

 

[Tom Elliott]

mrraford, what I have is if your using used bearings the preload would be between 12 to 15 in. lbs.torque which would be 4.5 to 5.5 lbs on a spring scale (fish scale). Hanging wt. would be the same. On new bearings 20 in. lbs.torque or 7.5 lbs. on spring scale. I used a in.lb. torque wrench and checked with a spring scale and came perfect. Hope this helps, Tom