i was wondering if its possible to have the bolt that holds the hub on too tight? would that cause excess stress on the wheel bearing?

im thinking ill have to hit the wreckers pretty hardcore in the near future. i need a driver side steering knuckle, my rear diff just started making grinding noises, and i need a trans soon.

 

the title of this thread says steering knuckle bolt. there is a specific tourque setting for that bolt. it is 90 Ft.LBS (on my 1986 anyway)

yet you described the hub bolt. the une that holds the rotor on to the hub. if that is what you are wondering about then...

YES!!!! you can over tighten it.you should tighten it untill you can no longer feel the hub moving back and fourth; then a little further untill you can freely spin the hub and it will spin without stoping right away, but won't spin forever ether. if you spin it and it stops as soon as you let go that is TOO TIGHT.

a hub that is too lose will result in steering woble and increased tire wear. a hub that is too tight will result in advanced wheel bearing wear and more freaquent replacement, as well as decreased gas milage.

 

IF a rear differential is making "grinding noises"... you won't be going very far. It'll self destruct. Been there & it's expensive.
Tranny upgrade to a later version like a 1988 or later. Stronger internal parts required for longer life.
Rest is seek out S-Series (Jimmy/Blazer/S-10/S-15 TWO WHEEL DRIVE) vehicles for needed parts, for front end, too.
Much of that stuff is same as for our F Body.
IF unsure of how to bolt it back or tightening of limits for reassembly, seek out someone else to do labor for you.
Things like wheels seizing on you/falling off while you drive can really ruin your day.

 

Like Xopher said, which one are you talking about? Knuckle-to-control-arm bolt, or, wheel-bearing-spindle-nut ?

The spindle nut is only spec'd for 12-15 ft/lbs, and should never be overtightened!! If you're talking about the spindle nut for the bearing, how tight did you put it on?

Also do you still have fluid in the rear?

 

wheel bearing spindle nut.

thanks