Abstract: An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft. A press mechanism is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. An optical sending unit is configured to output a high intensity light to allow a user to locate a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft.

Abstract: A system for use in providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes a preload apparatus having a first extension and a second extension engageable with an inner race of the bearing and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The first extension has a first projection and the second extension has a second projection. A stop ring is configured to limit a radially inward movement of the first extension and the second extension toward each other to position the first projection and the second projection relative to the bearing.

Abstract: A lock nut is useable for setting a bearing to preload or endplay. A plurality of preload markings are circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the preload marking corresponding to a preselected amount of preload applied or reduced on said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to apply a preload force to said bearing or (ii) loosened to reduce a preload force on said bearing, respectively. A plurality of endplay markings are also circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the endplay markings, corresponding to a preselected amount of endplay increased or reduced in said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to reduce endplay on the bearing or (ii) loosened to increase endplay in said bearing. The use of endplay and preload markings enables setting of a bearing on an axle or spindle to either an endplay setting or a preload setting by adjusting the rotation of the lock nut according to the endplay markings or the preload markings, respectively.

Abstract: A method for preloading a bearing includes releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle. A frame is axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member. A plurality of extensions extends from the frame axially past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. An adjustment mechanism moves the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to contact the wheel hub assembly and/or the bearing to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

Abstract: A lock nut system includes a nut having a retaining member which includes locking teeth configured to engage with the lock nut teeth. The retaining member is rotatable in both a clockwise or counterclockwise direction a preselected distance to allow the locking teeth to mesh with the nut teeth so the lock nut can be locked into position on the shaft without further rotation or other adjustment of the nut.

Abstract: A system for use in providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes a preload apparatus having a first extension and a second extension engageable with an inner race of the bearing and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The first extension has a first projection and the second extension has a second projection. A stop ring is configured to limit a radially inward movement of the first extension and the second extension toward each other to position the first projection and the second projection relative to the bearing.

Abstract: A lock nut is useable for setting a bearing to preload or endplay. A plurality of preload markings are circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the preload marking corresponding to a preselected amount of preload applied or reduced on said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to apply a preload force to said bearing or (ii) loosened to reduce a preload force on said bearing, respectively. A plurality of endplay markings are also circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the endplay markings, corresponding to a preselected amount of endplay increased or reduced in said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to reduce endplay on the bearing or (ii) loosened to increase endplay in said bearing. The use of endplay and preload markings enables setting of a bearing on an axle or spindle to either an endplay setting or a preload setting by adjusting the rotation of the lock nut according to the endplay markings or the preload markings, respectively.

Abstract: A system for use in providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes a preload apparatus having a first extension and a second extension engageable with an inner race of the bearing and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The first extension has a first projection and the second extension has a second projection. A stop ring is configured to limit a radially inward movement of the first extension and the second extension toward each other to position the first projection and the second projection relative to the bearing.

Abstract: A lock nut is useable for setting a bearing to preload or endplay. A plurality of preload markings are circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the preload marking corresponding to a preselected amount of preload applied or reduced on said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to apply a preload force to said bearing or (ii) loosened to reduce a preload force on said bearing, respectively. A plurality of endplay markings are also circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the endplay markings, corresponding to a preselected amount of endplay increased or reduced in said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to reduce endplay on the bearing or (ii) loosened to increase endplay in said bearing. The use of endplay and preload markings enables setting of a bearing on an axle or spindle to either an endplay setting or a preload setting by adjusting the rotation of the lock nut according to the endplay markings or the preload markings, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft. A press mechanism is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. An optical sending unit is configured to output a high intensity light to allow a user to locate a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft.

Abstract: A system for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft and a press mechanism in fluid communication with a source of fluid and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes a switch having a base and a piston in communication with the fluid such that an increase in a pressure of the fluid results in the piston extending upwardly from the base and a decrease in the pressure of the fluid results in the piston retracting toward the base. The switch includes a lower proximity sensor and a higher proximity sensor. The piston is configured to extend upwardly from the base past the lower proximity sensor and to trip the higher proximity sensor. The switch is configured to control the increase in the pressure in response to the piston tripping the higher proximity sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft. A press mechanism is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. An optical sending unit is configured to output a high intensity light to allow a user to locate a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft.

Abstract: A method for preloading a bearing includes releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle. A frame is axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member. A plurality of extensions extends from the frame axially past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. An adjustment mechanism moves the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to contact the wheel hub assembly and/or the bearing to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

Abstract: A system for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft and a press mechanism in fluid communication with a source of fluid and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes a switch having a base and a piston in communication with the fluid such that an increase in a pressure of the fluid results in the piston extending upwardly from the base and a decrease in the pressure of the fluid results in the piston retracting toward the base. The switch includes a lower proximity sensor and a higher proximity sensor. The piston is configured to extend upwardly from the base past the lower proximity sensor and to trip the higher proximity sensor. The switch is configured to control the increase in the pressure in response to the piston tripping the higher proximity sensor.

Abstract: A lock nut is useable for setting a bearing to preload or endplay. A plurality of preload markings are circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the preload marking corresponding to a preselected amount of preload applied or reduced on said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to apply a preload force to said bearing or (ii) loosened to reduce a preload force on said bearing, respectively. A plurality of endplay markings are also circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the endplay markings, corresponding to a preselected amount of endplay increased or reduced in said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to reduce endplay on the bearing or (ii) loosened to increase endplay in said bearing. The use of endplay and preload markings enables setting of a bearing on an axle or spindle to either an endplay setting or a preload setting by adjusting the rotation of the lock nut according to the endplay markings or the preload markings, respectively.

Abstract: A method for preloading a bearing includes releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle. A frame is axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member. A plurality of extensions extends from the frame axially past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. An adjustment mechanism moves the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to contact the wheel hub assembly and/or the bearing to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

Abstract: A lock nut system includes a nut having a retaining member which includes locking teeth configured to engage with the lock nut teeth. The retaining member is rotatable in both a clockwise or counterclockwise direction a preselected distance to allow the locking teeth to mesh with the nut teeth so the lock nut can be locked into position on the shaft without further rotation or other adjustment of the nut.

Abstract: A system for use in providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes a preload apparatus having a first extension and a second extension engageable with an inner race of the bearing and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The first extension has a first projection and the second extension has a second projection. A stop ring is configured to limit a radially inward movement of the first extension and the second extension toward each other to position the first projection and the second projection relative to the bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft which includes an attaching member releasably connectable to a shaft and a press mechanism coupled to the attaching member. The press mechanism is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. An aligning ring has an aligning projection configured to engage a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft. The projection extends radially inwardly from a circumferential portion of the aligning ring. The aligning ring extends circumferentially around the attaching member and is rotatable relative to the attaching member. The aligning ring includes a plurality of ring indicating markings to allow an alignment of a ring indicating marking of the plurality of ring indicating markings with a lock nut connected to the shaft.