[JRTJH]

Clean grease in the dust cap does not assure that the rear bearing (4" away) is undamaged. There can easily be a "self destructed bearing or cage" on that bearing that will never "show itself" in the grease that's at the bearing cup.

The purpose of pulling the hub, cleaning the bearings and then repacking the bearings and hub space with fresh grease is primarily to give you the chance to fully inspect the bearings, their condition, check for any hot spots, worn or damaged areas on the bearings, to check the races to make sure they are not damage or show any evidence of a bearing problem (wear, overheating, imbalanced rollers) as well as to make sure the hub surfaces are not scored, damaged, that they don't show any evidence of bearing problems, corrosion, moisture, etc.

Just seeing "clean grease around the bearing cup and the tires don't wobble" is most assuredly NOT a sign that everything inside the hub is OK, serviceable and undamaged....