Wheel bearing procedure?

[Bhooper]

Would anyone care to explain the procedure for repacking wheel bearings? Is it nessecary to have a torque wrench? Recently bought first CTD and am going through all the services. The local dealer wont part with service history, gave me a story about give him a few days to make copies of every thing and every time I check back it isnt done so I am giving up on that angle. Figured I would do everything and then have a base to start from. I have a 98. 5 and have never repacked wheel bearings before, I have a Haynes manual that is a bit vague and searching TDR I havent come up with much explicit info. . Thanks for taking time to respond ... ...

 

[dremelts]

Bhooper,



Not sure if you have a 4x4 or 2wd (you should create a signature with all your vitals), and the two are vastly different. I have a 98 2WD so I'll describe the procedure I use.



1) remove the wheel

2) remove the brake caliper

3) remove the dust cap

4) remove the cotter pin and loosen the spindle nut

5) remove the outer bearing

6) remove the rotor/hub

7) knock out the inner bearing/seal

8) clean the spindle and clean and dry the bearings with compressed air (but don't let the bearing spin at high speed while drying it)

9) pack the inner bearings with grease (if you don't have a bearing packing tool it's a messy job to do it by hand the right way. Put a gob of grease in the palm of one hand and then with the bearing in the other hand work the grease into the bearing until it oozes up between the rollers)

10) after the bearing is packed, liberally coat the outside circumferance of the bearing with grease

11) insert the inner bearing into the hub

12) install a *new* wheel bearing seal

13) pack the outer bearing and coat the outside circ.

14) insert outer bearing into hub

15) reinstall the hub/rotor assy onto the spindle being carefull not to damage the new seal and kind guide the outer bearing onto the spindle so that it doesn't fall out on the ground

16) reinstall flat, keyed washer and spindle nut.

17) tighten the spindle nut to approx. 40 ft/lb (I think) - this is to preload the bearings - then carefully back off the nut till it's loose, then snug it back up finger tight.

18) install a *new* cotter pin

19) reinstall dust cap, brake caliper and wheel



Others may have their own methods, but that's how I did it. But, like I said, if you have a 4x4 it's way different. In fact, I believe the 4x4 has sealed bearings that can't be repacked, and if you replace the sealed bearings you may need a press to R&R the bearings and a *BIG* torque wrench for the spindle nut.

 

[illflem]

Dave is right, on a 4x the bearings are sealed, no need for packing.

 

[Bhooper]

Thanks for the info. I do have a two wheel drive so it will be very useful, thanks for the step by step discription, I didnt know there was an inner and outer bearing, looks like a good days work but I want to do get it done, I am thinking it may never have been. Will update the sign too. Many thanks

 

[VicR]

Bhooper,



So, how did the bearing job go? I am getting ready to do the same thing this weekend and wanted to learn from your experience.



-Vic

 

[daveshoe]

There is a way to lube 4x4 bearings . After I raised a concern about how I had seen a near accident caused by a bearing seizing and completely tearing up the front end, a very nice TDR member PM'ed me on how to grease them. He does it once a year and has taken bearings to very high mileage. He was afraid of getting flamed, so he did not post on an open forum.

If anyone wants these instructions, PM me and We will figure out a way to get you a set. I will not reveal his identity,nor will I take credit for these excellent instructions.