How Tight Should Spindle Castle Nuts be Tightened

Published 01/14/2015

Question:

Hello, Working on travel trailer and I find that one of my castle/spindle nuts properly adjusted still allows for more play in the wheel bearings than all the others. Is it acceptable to add a slightly thicker washer or washer shim to take up the extra slack yet leave the nut adjusted as they all should be backed off to the first slot in castle nut or hand tight?? Thanks

asked by: Mike D

Expert Reply:

The nut on the spindle should be tightened until snug, with no side-to-side play in the hub and then backed off slightly, about maybe a 1/8 of a turn. If the spindle uses a castle nut and cotter pin or tang nut, tighten the nut finger tight until it stops, then back it off so the cotter pin or washer tang fits into the next indentation of the castle nut.

If you click on the video link I provided, and forward to the 1:40 mark, you can see one of our techs demonstrating how to tighten a spindle nut.

expert reply by: Jameson C