2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Wheel Bearings 95 3500

[CHellmer]

Its time to repack the front wheel bearings ,what do you use for grease and do you put any extra grease in the hub?

Thank You

 

[AWallace]

I use Coastal or Valvoline had good luck with both. Seems like the Coastal is a little heavier base. You don't need much in the hub or it will weep out the cap. Grease now does not run from the bearings like the old fiber grease did. Just wipe them good and get all the old out of them you can and fill them up with new. Never use air and spin the bearing or you may ruin it. If you see any old grease ooz out when you are packing them just wipe it off and continue packing them until the old is gone. After they will not hold any more smear some on the outside of the bearing to protect the race. That's the they way I do it some may do it different.

 

[JDKammin]

Unless your truck has a hub conversion kit, you are not going to repack your wheel bearings. These trucks have a unit hub bearing. When they go bad, you replace the hub.

 

[CHellmer]

Thank You for the reply, I guess I am just not use to all the new syn. grease out in the market. I had repacked them the last time with some grease I had from the early 70's. It was heavy black in color from Valvoline. But I guess the changes are for the good.

 

[JoshKelly]

Thank You for the reply, I guess I am just not use to all the new syn. grease out in the market. I had repacked them the last time with some grease I had from the early 70's. It was heavy black in color from Valvoline. But I guess the changes are for the good.

I guess that since you are talking about re-packing bearings that your truck is 2 wheel drive correct?

 

[CHellmer]

The truck is a 1995 3500 2 wheel drive yes. I have just under 103,000 miles on it so I will be repacking the bearings a few more time's .

 

[d6c]

Correct procedure is to disassemble then thoroughly clean ALL old grease out and inspect. If all races and bearings check ok repack with high quality wheel bearing grease and reassemble. Never shove old grease out with new grease. Greases may not be compatible and you are not giving any parts an inspection. Hubs are still loaded up between bearings, only exception being oil hubs.

 

[GAmes]

It is a waste of grease and it serves no purpose to pack the hub. If it is packed there is a possibility that expansion from heat could force grease past the seal.

 

[d6c]

Do a search on Timken wheel bearing service. FYI

 

[CHellmer]

Thank You

I never thought to look and see what Timken had to say. Sad part is when I cleaned the cones they said made in Mexico. But they are still good so I guess it makes no diffrence. I wish my headliner and paint was from Mexico , there not in as good a shape.

 

[GAmes]

Do a search on Timken wheel bearing service. FYI

Interesting that they say to pack the hub. For what purpose? I apply a glob of grease just inside of the bearing race, grease the race itself, pack the bearing and drop it in. Works for me.

 

[AWallace]

I clean my bearings get all the old grease out I can and then repack the way I described and I always inspect bearings and races. Been doing it the same way 40 yrs never had one to fail yet knock on wood. Grease is grease unless you use synthetic. My old Ford truck has 339 Thousand same bearings same hubs. GAmes is right no need to load hubs. As I said before the grease now does not run from the bearings. Once year if it has 30 miles or 30K.

 

[NIsaacs]

I can't imagine filling the hub with grease, unless maybe it was to pre-load for the type you grease with a gun (less pumping)? I would think when you slid the hub on the spindle most of the grease would push out, dang job is messy enough. I wash them clean with solvent, air dry (hold them so they won't spin) then hold them up to the light and inspect the race for flaking by looking down through the cage and rollers. Then pack them good and install.



I don't service them every year.



Nick

 

[d6c]

Hmmmm boy... This is another one of those topics where we all have our own procedure! BTW The grease gun outer caps are one of the better ways to blow out the seal and grease your brakes there ever was. Dumb,dumb idea... Also, keep mixing grease and sooner or later you will experience why you shouldn't have done that-different base stocks don't like each other.

 

[GAmes]

Also, keep mixing grease and sooner or later you will experience why you shouldn't have done that-different base stocks don't like each other.

I agree. That is why I use Valvoline Duroblend. Comes in a tube and cans. The boat trailer has greasable hubs (not bearing buddies) and no brakes, so I am comfortable pumping grease into them from time to time, even though it gets past the seal and onto the wheels.

 

[AWallace]

I never use synthetic grease. I have had Five RV's the last one had easy lube alxes. The first time I was going to change seals and pack the bearings I opted to just pump grease in per dexter axle instructions using a hand grease gun. The next year I pulled the hubs to replace the seals had the biggest mess I ever saw. It never happen again. I just pull them and pack the bearings once a year.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I agree. That is why I use Valvoline Duroblend. Comes in a tube and cans. The boat trailer has greasable hubs (not bearing buddies) and no brakes, so I am comfortable pumping grease into them from time to time, even though it gets past the seal and onto the wheels.

Gary,



Your Ranger Trail boat trailer must be like the Ranger trailer I had. Grease on the inside of the wheels "waterproofs" them. :-laf I "greased" mine the same way... worked for thousands of miles.



Bill

 

[d6c]

Did a yahoo search on "grease compatability chart"..... And this would be why I am very reluctant to mix grease. Synthetic or not is NOT the problem, base stocks either are compatible or they mix to form a stiff,dry paste that doesn't lube anything.

 

[GAmes]

Gary,



Your Ranger Trail boat trailer must be like the Ranger trailer I had. Grease on the inside of the wheels "waterproofs" them. :-laf I "greased" mine the same way... worked for thousands of miles.



Bill

Good catch on the Ranger Trail. With 24 years of use I have only replaced the bearings and races once. The new ones come with oil bath hubs. Some of the other high end boat companies are still using Bearing Buddies. I had a boat trailer with them in the 70s.