Greasing front wheel bearings

[firefighter_2000]

It’s been brought up a couple of times, but I wanted to post & share some pics of mine. I’ve been greasing my front hub bearings through the ABS sensor every 50k miles or so. They seemed pretty dry this time around. I was able to get 30cc of grease in each side. Easy project that took about an hour. I used a 20cc syringe, and filled it with grease from my gun then put the plunger back in & sent it while spinning the bearing. After about 30cc in each side I couldn’t get anymore in. All you need is a 7/8 lug wrench (impacts make it much easier), 15/16 socket for the caliper bracket, and a 5 mm hex socket for the ABS bolt.

 

[AEdelheit]

Only other thing Id suggest is cleaning the area around the ABS sensor with brake clean before removing the sensor to make sure dirt does not fall in the hole as that will kill the bearings quicker then anything. I have never had a unit bearing fail that had grease added to it, they don't come with much out of the box!

 

[Larry Sciblo]

Something I have to add to my list. Question: Any old wear bearing grease or? Thx for the post..

 

[AEdelheit]

Something I have to add to my list. Question: Any old wear bearing grease or? Thx for the post..

I use Lucas Red N tacky and have not had any issues.

 

[Blackbrush]

I've done the same across 4 trucks and never lost a bearing - one has 750k on it

 

[JAKE 2544]

It looks like your only greasing the ABS reluctor ring, the hub assembly is sealed?

 

[Blackbrush]

It looks like your only greasing the ABS reluctor ring, the hub assembly is sealed?

nope

 

[firefighter_2000]

I’d like to know where the grease that I put in Last time is now? They’re “sealed” so that means nothing in or out, right?

 

[josephc1]

Could grease be pumped in with the needle used on the front drive shaft cd joint

 

[firefighter_2000]

Could grease be pumped in with the needle used on the front drive shaft cd joint

it could definitely be pumped in with a needle, but I wanted some way of knowing about how much I was able to put in, hence why I used a syringe. I know that each time I can usually get about 30cc of grease in each side.

 

[AEdelheit]

The " Unit" is sealed , the bearings inside are not so any grease put in through the ABS hole does get into the bearings. Overtime some grease works its way past the seals if there is alot in the unit.

 

[JAKE 2544]

The " Unit" is sealed , the bearings inside are not so any grease put in through the ABS hole does get into the bearings. Overtime some grease works its way past the seals if there is alot in the unit.

Gotcha

 

[Blackbrush]

I use a standard grease gun end held tightly against a rubber washer and pump a few times, spin the hub and repeat. You can feel the bearings loading up with grease. It's a satisfying feeling.

 

[Rob S]

Thanks for posting this
I’ll be doing this soon. I enjoy preventative maintenance
Great web site, great members! People helping people, and people helping Ram Trucks

 

[AKDoug]

Great idea. I've never heard of it, but I'll be doing it at my next service.

 

[Learjet]

That doesn't look easy on a dually with the front adapter plate on the lugs

 

[Audiowriter]

That doesn't look easy on a dually with the front adapter plate on the lugs

Has anyone tried doing this on a dually?

 

[gsbrockman]

That doesn't look easy on a dually with the front adapter plate on the lugs

Additional labor required to remove the hub extensions....so an extra 8 nuts per front wheel should be about it.

 

[josephc1]

Many thanks OP. Great pics and instruction, going to get this done asap.

 

[sag2]

Somewhere long ago I posted a couple photos of an adapter I made from a small piece of aluminum. One hole for the bolt, a Zerk threaded on the other hole, and a small O'Ring. Can't find the adapter any more, I think the neighbor got it.