servicing rear wheel bearings

[RGT]

I had to replace a rear wheel cylinder, I noticed the rear wheel bearings are running in gear lube,( the hubs had plenty in them and a bit came out when I pulled the axles out) without any grease. I also realized I have been (over)filling the rear end up to the fill plug, instead of from 1/2" to 1" below the fill hole as stated in the manual. could the gear lube from the rear end have washed out all the grease from the bearings? is there supposed to be a seal to keep gear lube out of the wheel bearings? I assume that the manual is correct in that the bearings should be greased and not just get their lubrication from the gear oil. Anyone else seen this before?

 

[cwienenga]

bearings

you have a floating axle. the bearings are lubed with the rearend oil. there is a seal in the rear of the hub to keep the oil in and a gasket on the axle flange.

you must be looking at the wrong part of the manual. only the front bearings are greased. when you reassemble the rear axles,the first time you make a sharp corner oil will flow down the tube and fill the hub, (do this on purpose),then recheck the diff'l level.

 

[AlK]

After I check or service the rear brakes on my truck, I always jack each side up separately to ensure that lube will flow down the axle tube and then I top up the rear end with oil. Those bearings are lubed with the rear end oil.

---

Al

 

[Bluebird]

Seals...

I replaced my left seal about 500 miles ago, there is some gear oil returning on the hub of the drum at he studs. I cleaned it well a week after replacing the seal, and it is wet just around the area I mentioned. I've read post saying, let it be, it's not leaking, or I need a speedy-sleeve. Got any more ideas, let me know... Patrick

 

[RGT]

cwienenga, I am looking at section 3 page 33 of the manual which is the service of the model 70 rear axle... ... I am relieved to hear my only sin is overfilling the rear end, and that I was not supposed to grease the bearings( which saves me from pulling it all apart in the morning) are you guys filling to the fill hole or to the 1/2" to 1" below as stated in the manual???



Blubird, are you talking about the interface between the axle and the hub? There should be a thin gasket betwwen the axle flange and hub, if your oil seal, located in the hub, running on the axle housing were leaking it would show up by dripping out of the bottom of the brake drum and leaving a telltale spray on the inside of your tires... .

 

[paccool]

Well, I fill the housing up to the bottom of the hole. The manual says 7 pints, I usually put in about 7. 5 to the bottom of the hole.



Yes the bearings are lubed from the oil but page 33 also says that if the bearings are out, pack them with grease before reinstalling. You will have people doing it both ways, I think the grease just insures there will be some lube in the bearing until some oil gets out there. Raising the truck up on each side will insure oil is there but if you don't do that the grease will take care of things until it happens on its own. As part of "normal" service, no, the bearings do not get greased.



Oh yea, if the rear seal is leaking, there will be no question about seeing it! I had a tough time getting the oil off the wheel and housing when mine started leaking!

 

[jbolt]

One thing to consider about mixing grease and oil. Some lubricant types are not compatable with others and will break down when mixed.



I soak the bearings in gear lube before assembly. A little messy but so far so good.

 

[RGT]

Thanks for clearing up my confusion, I'm glad I did not pull it all apart and grease them.....

 

[cwienenga]

wheel bearings

I service semi's for a living. I soak the bearings in oil before installing them then take the truck out for a couple of hard figure 8's. no problems so far



cliff