Systems for preloading a bearing and aligning a lock nut

A system for use in positioning a lock nut and providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft, the system comprising:

• a preload apparatus configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing, said preload apparatus releasably connectable to the shaft and having an aligning arm configured to engage a slot of the shaft to align said preload apparatus relative to the shaft when said preload apparatus connects to the shaft;
• a lock nut engageable with the shaft and having a plurality of engaging teeth configured to engage a plurality of keeper teeth of a keeper, said keeper having a radially inner side configured to engage the shaft slot of the shaft to inhibit rotational movement of said nut relative to the shaft when said plurality of engaging teeth engages said plurality of keeper teeth and said radially inner side engages the shaft;
• and
• said nut comprising an outer surface having a plurality of markings corresponding to a plurality of roots of said plurality of engaging teeth to allow a user to selectively rotate the nut relative to said aligning arm to an engaging position to allow engagement of said plurality of engaging teeth with said plurality of keeper teeth when said preload apparatus is released from the shaft such that said radially inner side engages said slot of said shaft;
• wherein said preload apparatus comprises a press mechanism having a plurality of extensions engageable with an inner race of the bearing when said nut is engaged with the shaft and adjacent the bearing;
• and
• said nut further comprising a nut slot for receiving a keeper retaining member.