End-Play Check, Meritor Unitized Wheel Ends

cen mm 33.08.000

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, set the parking brakes, shut down the engine, and chock the rear tires.
  2. Remove the hub cap.
  3. Raise the vehicle until the front tires are clear of the ground. Support the vehicle with safety stands.

    4. Warning: Never work under a vehicle that is supported only by a jack. Jacks can slip, causing the vehicle to fall. This could result in serious injury or death.

  4. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.

    5. Note: It is normal for small amounts of grease to be visible around the inner and outer wheel bearings.

  5. Remove the brake drum. If needed, back off the slack adjuster.
  6. Attach the magnetic base of a dial indicator to the end of the axle spindle.
  7. Touch the dial indicator stem to the surface of the hub, making sure the stem is perpendicular to the surface of the hub.
  8. Set the dial indicator to zero.
  9. Without rotating the hub, grasp it at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, and push it straight in. Note the reading on the dial indicator.
    Pull the hub straight out. Note the reading on the dial indicator.
    The difference between the two measurements is the end play.
  10. If the end play is less than 0.003 inch (0.08 mm), go to the step for installing the hub cap.
    If the end play is 0.003 inch (0.08 mm) or greater, go to the next step.
  11. Remove the outer locknut and tabbed washer from the axle spindle.
  12. Loosen, but don't remove, the inner locknut.
  13. While rotating the hub a minimum of five rotations, tighten the inner locknut 600 lbf·ft (813 N·m).
  14. Install the tabbed washer and the outer locknut. Tighten 250 lbf·ft (339 N·m).
  15. Repeat the procedure for checking the end play.
  16. If the end play is greater than 0.003 inch (0.08 mm) but less than 0.006 inch (0.15 mm), record it in the vehicle maintenance log. Go to the next step.
    If the end play is 0.006 inch (0.15 mm) or greater, replace the entire wheel end assembly. For instructions, see of the Century Class Trucks Workshop Manual.
  17. Check the rotation of the hub. If it doesn't rotate smoothly and without noise, replace the entire wheel end assembly. For instructions, see of the Century Class Trucks Workshop Manual.
    If the hub rotates smoothly and without noise, go to the next step.
  18. Bend an opposing tab of the tabbed washer over a flat of the outer locknut.
  19. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Hand tighten the wheel nuts.
  20. Raise the vehicle, remove the jackstands, then lower the vehicle.
  21. Tighten the wheel nuts 500 lbf·ft (678 N·m).
  22. Install the hub cap.
    If installing a metal hub cap, go to the next step.
    If installing a plastic hub cap, do the following:
    1. Apply a continuous 1/8-inch (3-mm) bead of RTV silicone sealant to the outside first thread of the hub cap. Apply the sealant around the entire circumference.

      Important: Use only the following RTV sealants on the hub cap:

        • Meritor part number 2297-Z-7098

        • Three Bond®

        • Loctite® Ultra Grey Adhesive Sealant 18581

      1. Install the hub cap by hand until it is seated.

        Note: Disregard the torque value embossed on the hub cap.
        1. Using a torque wrench, tighten the hub cap 75 lbf·ft (102 N·m).
          If you cannot tighten the hub cap to the correct torque value, or if it makes a popping sound while being tightened, replace it with a new one.
      2. If installing a metal hub cap, do the following:
        1. Using a wire brush, clean the unitized wheel-end inner threads and the hub cap external threads.
        2. Apply Loctite® 17430 gasket sealant to the external hub cap threads.
        3. Install the hub cap by hand until it is seated.
        4. Using a torque wrench, tighten the hub cap 350 lbf·ft (475 N·m).

        3. Note: If you cannot tighten the hub cap to the correct torque value, or if it makes a popping sound while being tightened, replace it with a new one.

      3. Remove the chocks from the tires.
      Note:
      Parent topic: Front Axle
      Document Number: 0000122176
      Manual Publication Date: 2025-02-11
      Topic Publication Date: 2024-06-04