Abstract: A method of setting the clearance of a tapered roller bearing assembly of the type having a housing with an access opening, and in which housing is positioned an input shaft engaging a worm or gears for driving an output gear engaging an output shaft mounted on a bearing assembly for transmitting power. The method includes the steps of first tightening a removable cover in the housing to a point in contact with the bearing assembly and having a predetermined torque value, and thereafter backing the cover away from the bearing assembly by a distance calculated by the following formula: End play setting angle in degrees=(360 degrees)×(Clearance constant)×(Desired bearing clearance in inches)/(Thread pitch in inches). This method achieves a correct clearance setting defined by the end play setting angle in degrees where the cover is rotated by the number of degrees in the end play setting angle to reduce the predetermined torque value.