Repacking Rear Wheel Bearings?

[Y-Blockhead]

This evening I was reading some of Tom Endy's Tech articles and one was discussing the grease fittings for the rear wheel bearings. Tom recommended repacking the rear wheel bearings over just using a grease gun.

How often is it recommended to repack the rear wheel bearings? Every brake job? More often?

I did not see it mentioned in Les Andrews' 'Red Book'. It does state to grease the rear bearings every 500 miles via the grease fittings and to repack the FRONT bearings every 5000 miles.

Since I'm the latest custodian of my '30 Town Sedan I want to make sure all the "preventative maintenance" is up to date. Wow, 31 grease fittings??

[larrys40]

I believe the ford service interval was 10,000 miles , but honestly every 5 is probably more reasonable to keep an eye on things. I like a good heavy fiber truck grease that clings to the bearings well . Check the bottom of the axle housing for roughness and galling . If severe service and repair will be required
. I like to Hand pack the bearings as the grease fitting wasn't one of their better ideas for getting line to the bearing
Larry s

[Tom Wesenberg]

When you install the seal be sure to just drive it in enough for the snap ring to fit the groove. If you drive the seal in too far it will rub the bearing.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

When you install the seal be sure to just drive it in enough for the snap ring to fit the groove. If you drive the seal in too far it will rub the bearing.

for people not in the know thats one thing that is nice about Brattons new driver tool. it installs it without dinging it and to the proper depth.
yes i know it can also be installed with many other methods.. just mentioning about the tool...

[Bruce of MN]

When I pulled the hub off the taper the first time, it was quite a chore. I was advised to apply Never-seize to it to make it easier the next time. We'll see when I replace the E-brake linings and the arm return springs this winter.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

When I pulled the hub off the taper the first time, it was quite a chore. I was advised to apply Never-seize to it to make it easier the next time. We'll see when I replace the E-brake linings and the arm return springs this winter.

DON'T DO IT.
You want the taper clean and dry so it grips the hub.

[Bob C]

X2 what Tom said, You just defeated the purpose of the taper.

Bob

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

DON'T DO IT.
You want the taper clean and dry so it grips the hub.

Originally Posted by Bob C

X2 what Tom said, You just defeated the purpose of the taper.

Bob

Good advice. Thanks for pointing that out.

So should the bearings be repacked ~every 5000 miles?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Good advice. Thanks for pointing that out.

So should the bearings be repacked ~every 5000 miles?

I use Mystik JT-6 High Temp red grease.
It's very sticky grease and I think I can easily go 10,000 miles or 10 years, or at the time of a brake job, which ever comes first.

[Kurt in NJ]

The 46 that I had didn't have the fittings, but it was to have the bearings repacked every 10,000 miles

[700rpm]

Hand pack fer shure. I do mine every time I remove the rear hub, which seems to be about once every two years, for a variety of reasons.

[Purdy Swoft]

I also hand pack. I've never had a rear hub bearing problem .

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

The 46 that I had didn't have the fittings, but it was to have the bearings repacked every 10,000 miles

The article I was reading says Ford eliminated the grease fittings after the Model A. I couldn't find anywhere it stated how often to repack.

Soo... repack it is. I have some rear wheel bearing seals, the hardware 'kit' and a hub puller on order. Thanks for all the input. Good time to check the brakes also.

[Bruce of MN]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

DON'T DO IT.
You want the taper clean and dry so it grips the hub.

OOps, well I'll clean it off then. It had probably last been touched in 1985, so if I re-lube the bearings occasionally, it should come apart easy enough. Thanks for the guidance.