How do I tighten the spindle nut. The Haynes book says to tighten it hand tight then back it off until the cotter pin hole lines up, no more than 1/2 flat. My friends say I should tighten it until the holes line up. Others say to tighten it to 1 ft lb then tighten it until the holes line up. What is the correct way??

 

Welcome from Florida. I would do what the Haynes Manual says. If you overtighten it, the bearing won't last very long.