How Tight Does the Castle Nut on a Trailer Spindle Need To Be

Updated 02/25/2010 | Published 02/24/2010

Question:

do i need to tighten hard the spindle

asked by: sergio

Expert Reply:

According to our installers you will tighten the trailer spindle nut until it stops by itself. In other words do not torque it down as hard as you can. It just has to be tight. A little play is to be expected. You do not want to torque it down too tight, because that makes the bearings too tight and then that generates heat and your bearings come apart.

You might want to try tightening it a few times to get a feel for where it seems like the spindle nut naturally stops.

Once it is fairly tight back it off one notch so the tang lines up and then push the tang (small pin) into the groove on the spindle nut.

You know you have it just right if you give it a test spin and hear the brake linings drag a little bit. It should spin fairly well.

expert reply by: Michael H