The Ford Barn

James G. · 11-27-2013, 11:30 AM

How to lubricate the rear wheel bearings! The grease fitting Henry provided for the grease gun would put chassis grease in the bearings. Bearing grease is used to hand pack the front wheel bearings, much easier access. Why the different grease front vs back bearings?
Some have said that the rear wheel bearings should be pulled periodically and hand packed! I haven't found this an any original Ford instructions. If hand packing were required for longevity, why did Henry provide the grease fittings?

I'd really like to hear what you more experienced Model A mechanic members have to say about this. All opinions and experiences welcomed!!
Jim G.

Patrick L. · 11-27-2013, 11:39 AM

I don't know if I fit your criteria. Most chassis grease today is Ok for bearings. But, regardless, if you want to grease the rear bearings with specific bearing grease thru the fittings, you can do that. Many folks tend to over grease those bearings, if two pumps are good than of course 10 must be better. There have been instances where the axle housings have been sleeved and the hole is no longer there.
Thats why most folks just recommend pulling the drums every now and again and pack them by hand.

tbirdtbird · 11-27-2013, 11:49 AM

u can get a small hand-packable grease gun @ HF etc and put whatever kind of grease you want in it.

None of my guns have low-quality 'chassis grease'. They all have a high quality WB grease which comes in the regular quick-load tubes, and the chassis and everything gets all the same grease. Has worked for > 25 yrs.

Tom Endy · 11-27-2013, 12:41 PM

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Unless the rear axle assembly has been apart in the last few decades and the inner axle seals replaced there is little chance any of the grease will reach the rear wheel bearings from the grease fitting.

The intent of the grease fitting was to allow grease to enter into a circular groove machined around the inside of the axle housing. The inner seal prevents the grease from traveling down the axle shaft toward the differential. Instead it is forced outward and travels between the axle shaft and the inner diameter of the wheel bearing hub. There is a nominal 1\8" space around the axle shaft and hub. The grease continues outward until it piles up against the large grease seal in the brake drum. From there it is forced into the wheel bearing.

Many of the rear axle assemblies I have disassembled were found to have Henry's original seals still in place and completely shot. The circular groove was packed with crud and in some cases pieces of axle shims were found imbedded.

It is easy to tell if the owner frequently pumped grease in through the grease fitting. The grease traveled down the axle shaft toward the differential and centrifuged around the shaft to a diameter measured in inches. The length and the diameter of the grease was an indication of how often grease was pumped in.

Ford must have realized that this method of greasing was not a good idea, because later Fords were not greased in this manner.

It is prudent to pack the wheel bearings with the brake drums off. They should remain sufficiently greased until the next time the drums are removed for a brake inspection.

Tom Endy

11-27-2013, 11:30 AM	#1
James G. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: maryland Posts: 183	Rear Wheel bearings How to lubricate the rear wheel bearings! The grease fitting Henry provided for the grease gun would put chassis grease in the bearings. Bearing grease is used to hand pack the front wheel bearings, much easier access. Why the different grease front vs back bearings? Some have said that the rear wheel bearings should be pulled periodically and hand packed! I haven't found this an any original Ford instructions. If hand packing were required for longevity, why did Henry provide the grease fittings? I'd really like to hear what you more experienced Model A mechanic members have to say about this. All opinions and experiences welcomed!! Jim G.

11-27-2013, 11:39 AM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Rear Wheel bearings I don't know if I fit your criteria. Most chassis grease today is Ok for bearings. But, regardless, if you want to grease the rear bearings with specific bearing grease thru the fittings, you can do that. Many folks tend to over grease those bearings, if two pumps are good than of course 10 must be better. There have been instances where the axle housings have been sleeved and the hole is no longer there. Thats why most folks just recommend pulling the drums every now and again and pack them by hand.

11-27-2013, 11:49 AM	#3
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Rear Wheel bearings u can get a small hand-packable grease gun @ HF etc and put whatever kind of grease you want in it. None of my guns have low-quality 'chassis grease'. They all have a high quality WB grease which comes in the regular quick-load tubes, and the chassis and everything gets all the same grease. Has worked for > 25 yrs. __________________ '31 180A

11-27-2013, 12:41 PM	#4
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,168	Re: Rear Wheel bearings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Unless the rear axle assembly has been apart in the last few decades and the inner axle seals replaced there is little chance any of the grease will reach the rear wheel bearings from the grease fitting. The intent of the grease fitting was to allow grease to enter into a circular groove machined around the inside of the axle housing. The inner seal prevents the grease from traveling down the axle shaft toward the differential. Instead it is forced outward and travels between the axle shaft and the inner diameter of the wheel bearing hub. There is a nominal 1\8" space around the axle shaft and hub. The grease continues outward until it piles up against the large grease seal in the brake drum. From there it is forced into the wheel bearing. Many of the rear axle assemblies I have disassembled were found to have Henry's original seals still in place and completely shot. The circular groove was packed with crud and in some cases pieces of axle shims were found imbedded. It is easy to tell if the owner frequently pumped grease in through the grease fitting. The grease traveled down the axle shaft toward the differential and centrifuged around the shaft to a diameter measured in inches. The length and the diameter of the grease was an indication of how often grease was pumped in. Ford must have realized that this method of greasing was not a good idea, because later Fords were not greased in this manner. It is prudent to pack the wheel bearings with the brake drums off. They should remain sufficiently greased until the next time the drums are removed for a brake inspection. Tom Endy