Front Axle nut Torque?

My owner's and shop manuals both list the front axle nut torque to be 78 ft. lbs. (XJ750). This seems a little too tight to me, as the wheel will turn freely, but feels a little snug.
What do you torque your front wheel to? Does it matter if you tighten the pinch bolt before or after the axle nut??
Thanks-
Bill in GA

 

That is the correct torque.
And yes tighten the axle bolt first using a screwdriver in the hole to hold the axle. Then tighten the pinch bolt. Torque for the pinch bolt. 14 ft. lb.
Always tighten the axle nut first.

 

Ditto Rich. Wonder why this question keeps popping up? Hey Flat, you might try to search other threads on this topic, I could swear that Rich addressed this very question not two weeks ago.

 

Rich- thanks for the advice- as always, you are a wealth of info.

i will loosen the cinch and axel, and re-torque both.
Bill

 

OK, old topic, new question

First time replacing front wheel and I'm having trouble with the axle - there's too much of it. The axle went through the fork, then wheel, then speedo cup, then fork, washer, nut. Am I missing anything? The big end of the axle pulls right through the fork, and the nut tightens down way past the cotter pin holes. Did I drop something and miss picking it up?

 

You should have a collar pushed on the shaft prior to sliding shaft thru the fork.

 

Thanks for the reply? Could it be inside the wheel, or does it go between the fork and the wheel? How long is the collar?

 

Sorry, I don't have all your answers, here's a parts blow up....

# 17 is the collar I assume you need
# 4 is an oil seal
# 3 is a bearing
# 1 is a spacer this one goes inside, in between the bearings
# 2 is a flange that fits over the end of # 1
# 3 is the other side bearing
# 5 & # 6 are parts for the speedometer
# 7 is an oil seal
# 12 is the gear housing for the speedometer

 

The dim bulb brightens

Right you are - I found it on the basement floor

thanks!