Thread: Wheel bearings question

Possibilities Wrong seal ? Maybe damaging it when you drive it into the hub. Or maybe damaging when you are placeing the hub back on the spindle. Another possibilty would be if the portion of the spindle that the seal lip rides on is worn...if so you might need a speedy sleeve for it.

looks good, seated with a 2x4 . Only pump in grease till spring moved on buddy bearings . Was told if I had mixed noncompatable grease they would get thin and leak . Grease is thin but never had a problem before . Did mix napa green grease and red lithium . Thoughts ?

The last time I rebuilt a trailer I had trouble getting a bearing out and found I could buy complete hub, bearings, seals all assembled for only a bit more than a good set of bearings and seals. NAPA had the best price locally.

I just have one question :

Did you fill the hub with grease BEFORE mounting the Bearing Buddy, and THEN pump more grease in until the Bearing Buddy cap pushed out a little ??

Reason I ask is because an empty hub can hold air pockets if you pump all the grease thru the Bearing Buddy ... and the rear seal can get pushed out from the pressure. The indication of an improperly sealed rear seal or compromised sealing between the rear seal & hub is grease being slung all over the inside of the wheel. (personal experience )

Originally Posted by eagle 1

looks good, seated with a 2x4 . Only pump in grease till spring moved on buddy bearings . Was told if I had mixed noncompatable grease they would get thin and leak . Grease is thin but never had a problem before . Did mix napa green grease and red lithium . Thoughts ?

that mixing of them 2 types of grease could be the culprit !!!! lithium grease would break down the waterproof green grease !!!!

Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

I just have one question :

Did you fill the hub with grease BEFORE mounting the Bearing Buddy, and THEN pump more grease in until the Bearing Buddy cap pushed out a little ??

Reason I ask is because an empty hub can hold air pockets if you pump all the grease thru the Bearing Buddy ... and the rear seal can get pushed out from the pressure. The indication of an improperly sealed rear seal or compromised sealing between the rear seal & hub is grease being slung all over the inside of the wheel. (personal experience )

Bearing were packed then the rest pumped .

Ok, question is. Is the grease coming out around seal and spindle? If so clean spindle and check for a grove worn in shaft where seal lip sets. If it is do like G said and get you a speedy sleeve for it. If seal is coming out of hub causing leak, part of the problem could be as pappy said to much air in center pocket. Take your fingers and fill cavity with grease before installing and trying to fill through bearing buddy. Also when pumping in grease spin the wheel constantly to disperse grease through T hub. Also if it is coming out take starting fluid, cleaned hub where seal goes and outside of seal. Put a thin coat of red locktite on outside rim of seal before installing and let it sit about a hour before finishing install.

Originally Posted by Cray

Ok, question is. Is the grease coming out around seal and spindle? If so clean spindle and check for a grove worn in shaft where seal lip sets. If it is do like G said and get you a speedy sleeve for it. If seal is coming out of hub causing leak, part of the problem could be as pappy said to much air in center pocket. Take your fingers and fill cavity with grease before installing and trying to fill through bearing buddy. Also when pumping in grease spin the wheel constantly to disperse grease through T hub. Also if it is coming out take starting fluid, cleaned hub where seal goes and outside of seal. Put a thin coat of red locktite on outside rim of seal before installing and let it sit about a hour before finishing install.

Sounds like a plan thanks to all, surely this will get me back on the road . This speedy sleeve can be found at any quality parts house I assume ?