Originally Posted by
Captain Blight
Tighten the cone until it *just* starts to rumble, then tighten the locknut down hard against that. Works out to pretty darn good rather better than 9 times out of 10.
I feel this method would result in excessive tightness. The cone moves in more when you tighten the locknut against it. I adjust solid axles by tightening the cone against the bearing balls, then backing off maybe just 2 or 3 degrees, then tightening the locknut. It's still rumbly when you twirl the axle in your fingertips. You don't want TOO MUCH preload.