Rear wheel bearing grease?

[Tim1]

Hey fellas, I'll double check my spelling this time, anyway, my chilton manual calls for the rear wheel bearings both inner and outer to be packed in wheel bearing grease as the primary lube. It states that if it sees any lube from the differential thats extra. This is for a full floating 3\4T model 70 rear end. The only lube there was 90wt, so is there supposed to be grease there. Most of my experience has seen only 90wt lube on these bearing, however I always keep an open mind and will learn. What do you guys that hotshot use on these bearings, as thats the test. Is Hi Performance Valvoline 90WT with modifiers the oil for this posi? Thanks fellas! Tim

 

[Matt S]

I'm not a hotshot but I do put some grease on them so they aren't dry when I start moving again. I also tip the truck up after filling the housing to get some oil in the ends. I believe the posi additive is different stuff than what is in the Valvoline.

 

[Rick Comenzo]

Floating axle rear wheel bearings

I always pack inner and outer wheel bearings with grease before assembling. Also fill the cavity space(with a squeegee bulb) between axle tube and outer bearing race with axle liquid lube to get things started, then jack up each side to let lube flow into bearings then recheck rear axle fliud level. I use this method for any rear axle truck work. rick.

 

[R.E. Miller]

Now I feel like a jerk. When I mess with them I just soak them in gear lube and make sure the level is correct before and right after the first drive.

 

[JFitzgerald]

Last time I did this, I was packing the new bearings with grease and a friend dropped by. He thought I was nuts and said he just puts them in dry and lets the gear oil get to them on its own. I wanted to find something in a manual to show him he should grease them, but couldn't find anything. I don't know what the "proper" procedure is, but figure better safe (greased) than sorry.

 

[Lil' Dog]

Originally posted by R. E. Miller

Now I feel like a jerk. When I mess with them I just soak them in gear lube and make sure the level is correct before and right after the first drive.

Hey, join the club... I just have oiled them as the grease doesn't mix with the oil and is a different type of lube. I never mix grease and oil, they aren't made with the same additives or base stock.



They are slow rolling bearings and the oil supplied from the diff should be enough... Grease shouldn't be required.



Also, Chiltons is always right... NOT!!!! The one I have for my 89 says the drums pop off with a hammer... . Right...



What does the service manual say????



J-eh

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I am with Lil' dog on this one, only place I use axle grease on the rear dana 60 or 70 is on the seal lip. I will pack the seal lip with some synthic grease before assy. As for the bearings after cleaning them ,I have them setting in a bucket of mobil one axle lube(same thing I use in both differentals) soaking before I install them. when I install the rear hubs assy. I will pump as much gear lube into them as I can so that the gear lube is running out(a bit messy but it works) then side the axle shaft into place. I also tilt the truck both ways to make sure there is plenty of lube in the bearings. As far as I know any time you mix axle lube and wheel bearing grease together you end up with a mess of clumpy goo. And as always I will run the truck down the road for a couple of miles and check the hubs to see if they are getting hot(don't ride the brakes when doing this) if they are still cool then youre cool too

just my 2 cents worth

Kyle

 

[AlK]

I am with Lil' Dog & CrewCabDiesel. The only place I use grease is on the seals.

---

Al

 

[KEENO]

Mag-Hytec & figure 8's

Didn't grease mine either when I did the axle seals 3 times before realizing that it was a cracked drum.



The Mag-Hytec Diff cover creates a higher oil level than the OEM spec w/ increase air space to prevent foaming. Fill with Amsoil "Series 2000" 90 wt. (no friction modifier for LSD) and do a few slow figure 8's in a parking lot and then re-check level. I think the Mag-hytec is a wonderful insurance policy against dry bearings & looks cool in the process!



KEENO

 

[KEENO]

Hey Tim1!



The Friction Modifier that is added to the LSD units is seperate from what comes in 90wt oil. It's a small, couple ounce bottle that make the lube 'more slippery' to keep the LSD clutches from chattering around corners.



The Mopar stuff works great from the dealer. Just don't get it on your clothes or fingers... The smell is awful! The Amsoil doesn't seem to require the friction modifier.



Tim "KEENO" Keen

 

[Tim1]

rear gearing lube

Thanks fellas for the reassurance that the prodecedure in which I am doing the bearings matches all others. I didn't feel that the manual was correct, but I thought that I would throw it out. Will update with the results of the busted pinion gear later this week. Thank again guys. Tim

 

[Speedo]

Greased bearings

Sometimes greased bearings are used on full floating rear axles but they require two seals. The normal wheel seal and an exclusion seal that goes on the outside of the hub, there will be a

wear ring that goes on the end of the spindle where the seal will ride. The purpose to the exclusion seal is to keep the grease in and keep the gear lube out.

I just dip the bearings in gear lube and fill the cavity in the hub with gear lube and make sure the level of the gear lube in the rear end full.