Greasing inner rear wheel bearings
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Sebring florida
Greasing inner rear wheel bearings
Has anyone used and had any success useing one of those "rear spindle bearing greaser" and is there a procedure somewhere for this.
I would like to grease them before they fail.
I had a 96 chevy truck and the CV's were starting to make a little noise at about 50,000 mi, I lubed them with a long hollow needle that attaches to the grease gun and filled up the CV boot with grease, they lasted another 225,000 miles.
Preventive maintance.
George
I would like to grease them before they fail.
I had a 96 chevy truck and the CV's were starting to make a little noise at about 50,000 mi, I lubed them with a long hollow needle that attaches to the grease gun and filled up the CV boot with grease, they lasted another 225,000 miles.
Preventive maintance.
George
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
As I said before this is not a popular tool. I set an assembly up and measured pumps of grease from my grease gun so I could force grease to the outer bearing BUT its not the right way to do it.
With my gun I can pump 9 times very slow and I can get grease to go through the outer bearing and come out through the outer seal. Again not the correct way , but you ask.
Your other question I'll leave for the engineers.
With my gun I can pump 9 times very slow and I can get grease to go through the outer bearing and come out through the outer seal. Again not the correct way , but you ask.
Your other question I'll leave for the engineers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Sebring florida
Thanks Roger
Might not be the prefered way but it sounds workable. If you can prolong the total rebuild with a day or so of work and 2.00 worth of grease, it might be worth a try.
Might not be the prefered way but it sounds workable. If you can prolong the total rebuild with a day or so of work and 2.00 worth of grease, it might be worth a try.
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The bearing assembly was originally designed to be 'sealed for life' when introduced in 1963. This statement was later revised to approx. a 40K mile service interval.
There's many cars that are still running around on original untouched bearings, but many more that waited too long to have them serviced.
This is one area not to go cheap.
There's many cars that are still running around on original untouched bearings, but many more that waited too long to have them serviced.
This is one area not to go cheap.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I would not recommend it. If you spin a bearing you can easily take out the spindle and the bearing housing.
Do it right , money well spent ! 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Sebring florida
I guess I'm a little thick but would it not be a good idea to lube these bearings now if they are still working with out making any noises.
It sounds like some of these comments indicate that if lubed they will self destruct.
I was under the impression that preventive maintaince was a good thing. The operative word is Preventive.
It sounds like some of these comments indicate that if lubed they will self destruct.
I was under the impression that preventive maintaince was a good thing. The operative word is Preventive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
greese fitting
My 78 has 81K and I put 22K on in 5 years. The rear bearing assemblies seem to be original and there is a greese fitting on the inside bottom (Try to get picture in the am) that I greese at the start of summer just like the front end. Four quick pumps of greese, have not seen anything coming out, but some day I would think that an oil seal with blow out and four pounds of greese will dump on the floor.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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My 78 has 81K and I put 22K on in 5 years. The rear bearing assemblies seem to be original and there is a greese fitting on the inside bottom (Try to get picture in the am) that I greese at the start of summer just like the front end. Four quick pumps of greese, have not seen anything coming out, but some day I would think that an oil seal with blow out and four pounds of greese will dump on the floor.
That fitting is not original and as you well expressed, you have no idea how much grease is in there. There again, maybe the seal is already gone and your parking brake cavity is catching it all.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I guess I'm a little thick but would it not be a good idea to lube these bearings now if they are still working with out making any noises.
It sounds like some of these comments indicate that if lubed they will self destruct.
I was under the impression that preventive maintaince was a good thing. The operative word is Preventive.
It sounds like some of these comments indicate that if lubed they will self destruct.
I was under the impression that preventive maintaince was a good thing. The operative word is Preventive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I am neither an engineer, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. However I have read several threads on this topic and here's my considered opinion on this: If your current bearing setup has acceptable endplay, makes no noise and you can rest your hand on the trailing arm or axle face after a "spirited" drive without blisters I think your bearings are OK regardless of the age or mileage covered to date. Fresh grease in either or both bearings is probably a desireable thing since the stuff wears out just like motor oil so the "grease tool" is at least better than ignoring the poor things, and considerably less expensive than yanking perfectly serviceable cups and cones out just "in case" they're a bit worn.
If your bearings are toast, replace them. If you want to extend the life of some that are still within tolerance, lube those which "the tool" can reach. No harm, no foul. Comments?
If your bearings are toast, replace them. If you want to extend the life of some that are still within tolerance, lube those which "the tool" can reach. No harm, no foul. Comments?
