Re-packing bearings

westend wrote:

cougar88nw wrote:
If the seal is not leaking and the grease looks great ( and there's enough of it) I would just re-install the hub, adjust the brakes and go camping.

I just repacked the bearings and replaced the seals on my 12 year old TT, the bearings and seals were original and still looked great but I figured it was time to replace the seals. I used Amsoil Synthetic HD(Moly fortified) wheel bearing grease, it exceeds Dexter's specifications and because it's synthetic I feel comfortable going a little longer between inspections and repacking. This is only my second time repacking and the grease and bearings looked new. I don't have the EZ Lube axles.

If you need to repack or replace the seals, repack bearings, the bearing packers listed below do a better job and less mess too.

KD Bearing Packer
Lisle Bearing Packer

Be sure you don't over tighten the bearings if you do repack them. Best way to do this is to repack the bearings, replace the seal, apply a thin layer of grease on the spindle, re-install the hub (on the spindle), install outer bearing, washer, nut, hand tighten with pliers-channel locks-adjustable wrench-etc, spin the hub a few times, hand tighten the nut again, spin the hub again. After all that back off of the nut until the cotter pin slides into the hole on the spindle, most of the time you can actually rock the nut back and forth a little after the cotter pin is installed.....you don't want it to be too tight. Install the dust cap and spin the hub a few times, if you did it right, there will be a little back and forth play when you grab the hub/drum on either side and wiggle it. This play is more noticeable if you install the wheel and wiggle it while the wheel/tire is off the ground.

There are as many ways to do this process as there are owners, I guess. I was taught to tighten the castle nut down until the bearings are set and then back off the nut so that the wheel spun freely. There are actually torque values for some spindle assemblies. I never leave the wheel with side or longitudinal play (slight wobble). That would indicate there is something wrong.

Can we agree to disagree??:C I have been repacking wheel bearings for 30+ years (auto mechanic by trade)and if there isn't a slight amount of play when your are done....you will overheat the bearing! As for the cavity between the bearings, you can add extra grease if it makes you feel better, it will not hurt anything. In an overheating situation this grease would probably loosen up and make its way to the bearings but if the spindle/bearings are that hot, you have already got trouble. I usually put a little in the cavity and when I pull the hub a few years or miles later, the grease is right where I left it, on the spindle and in the cavity and it looks unused.