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05-25-2022, 05:43 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: MI
Posts: 97
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bearing maintenance
Well it's time to do a bearing repack and was wondering if there's good tool to use to squirt grease through the bearing cage
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05-25-2022, 06:03 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Folsom
Posts: 363
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Get a bearing packing tool at any auto parts store.
__________________
2002 Montana 3250RL upgraded a bunch
2005 Ford F-250 6.0 Bullet Proofed - SOLD
2017 Ford F350 6.7 Lariet
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05-25-2022, 06:22 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,841
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hitchikerman
Well it's time to do a bearing repack and was wondering if there's good tool to use to squirt grease through the bearing cage
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The ABSOLUTE worst thing you could do to "squirt grease" into the hub (and through the bearing cage) is with the EZ Lube system zerk fitting on the center of the hub... That's a great way to blow out the hub rear seal...
So if that is your plan, I'd urge to change plans.
If you're looking for a "bearing packer" there are several available at most parts stores, online or even at Harbor Freight. Most are either mechanical or pneumatic for use with a grease gun. Just put the bearing in the tray, close the top and pump grease into the bearing until it comes out the "weep hole". Then remove the bearing and reinstall in the hub.
The alternative is the "Dad taught me" process of using your cupped palm filled with grease and "push the bearing into your palm, forcing grease into the bearing cage repeatedly, until the bearing is filled with grease. Time consuming for sure, but the result can be as thorough as the above bearing packer if you take your time and pay attention to what you're doing.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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05-25-2022, 06:32 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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I’ve had one like this for about 25 years. They work very well and are simple to use. I’ll admit I used it a lot when I worked as a mechanic for front wheel bearings on cars. I haven’t used it in years, I prefer the old grease in the palm method……I don’t know why, maybe it’s therapy for me.
https://www.truckid.com/gearwrench/h...BoCTtoQAvD_BwE
__________________
Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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05-25-2022, 07:10 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: West Central IN
Posts: 141
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^^^Exactyl what I use. I love seeing the new grease come squirting out the top and knowing the cavities are filled. Then I few splats of grease by hand for good measure.
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Wxman
2018 Passport Elite 19RB (sold)
2021 Jayco Eagle HT 274CKDS
2017 Silverado Z71 5.3L 3.42 gears(sold)
2021 Sierra 2500 4x4 CCSB SLT (gas)
E4 16k/1.6k hitch
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05-25-2022, 07:16 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 499
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__________________
Lee
1970 F250 Highboy 4x4
2013 Cougar 21RBSWE
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05-25-2022, 09:27 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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Only thing I see that isn’t on there is a 1 1/2” socket for the wheel bearing nut. You should torque the center nut to 50 lb ft to set the bearing, then back it off and finger tighten. You can also just tighten with a wrench/channel lock good and tight then back it of, which I used to do, but if you have the torque wrench, may as well do it by the book.
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05-25-2022, 12:13 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Mechanicsville
Posts: 472
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith0404
Only thing I see that isn’t on there is a 1 1/2” socket for the wheel bearing nut. You should torque the center nut to 50 lb ft to set the bearing, then back it off and finger tighten. You can also just tight the with a wrench/channel lock hood and tight then back it of, which I used to do, but if you have the torque wrench, may as well do it by the book.
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Exactly, but don't forget to hold the drum up with your hand after seating the bearing so it stays in position and doesn't slide back down causing a false feel when you finger tighten.
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05-25-2022, 12:43 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
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In Millwright apprenticeship classes if I would have picked up a pair of channel locks the Instructor would have made me stand in the corner with a dunce cap on. All they are good for is to hold a hot piece of steel, according to him. Watch for little shards of steel falling off when tightening the bearing nut (while turning the hub by the way.)
One more tip from Mr. Anal: do not open the bearing box until you are ready to use it. In our shop all bearings that were mounted on a shaft had to be covered with a clean shop towel or paper towel.
Carry on...
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
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05-25-2022, 12:56 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gearhead
In Millwright apprenticeship classes if I would have picked up a pair of channel locks the Instructor would have made me stand in the corner with a dunce cap on. All they are good for is to hold a hot piece of steel, according to him. Watch for little shards of steel falling off when tightening the bearing nut (while turning the hub by the way.)
One more tip from Mr. Anal: do not open the bearing box until you are ready to use it. In our shop all bearings that were mounted on a shaft had to be covered with a clean shop towel or paper towel.
Carry on...
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When I was in school for machine tool, the instructor was the same way, they don’t know what they’re missing out on. It’s unbelievable how many shop towels I go through keeping things clean. Towels I throw away, other people would be grabbing to use. Don’t know iif I got that from building engines, working on avionics for the F-15, or a combination of both, but everything is always clean.
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05-25-2022, 01:06 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hemlock
Posts: 816
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I like using a grease needle. Lay the bearing on a clean surface. place the needle tip between the rollers and fill it up. Do that on each then smear some more on the outside for good measure.
__________________
R.J. and Ginger
2019 Ram 3500 6.7 HO, Aisin Trans 3:73
Reese Goosebox
2019 Sandpiper 379FLOK
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05-25-2022, 03:44 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 2,977
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The simple inexpensive bearing packers are a nice tool.. I’ve thohgt od getting one for the last 50 years or so..
I still pack the old fashion way .. only takes a minute or so and gives me the extra look see at the rollers..
I also don’t clean the bearings in solvent.. never have.. I push all the old grease out with the new and that’s it..
Not really concerned about dust and such so I don’t bother covering anything.. these aren’t high tolerance precision bearings
I use a bit of crocus cloth th rough up the brake shoes and my air gun to clean all the dust and dirt out with.. I don’t use the Brake Clean or any other solvent sprays on my brakes..
Many prefer the spray and such. Works good . I have started wearing the black nitrile gloves when doing this type of work .. hands are old and too much exposure to toluene, MEK, and a whole host of other stuff from years ago.
Some folks are worried about the brake dust and such. They aren’t made of asbestos and I just hold my breath for a few seconds whilst blowing all the crap away
Red & Tacky is my preferred grease for suspension and axle bearings
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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05-25-2022, 03:59 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
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I use a blow gun that I modified about 50 years ago. Removed the tip of the blow gun and replaced it with 2' piece of aluminum tubing. Threaded the two ends and bent the tip end about 2" from the end at a 45° angle and screwed the original tip on it. I can stand aside and blow the dust out. Works great for other chores like blowing out dust from under the lawnmower and cleaning the shop floor.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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05-29-2022, 07:54 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sun City
Posts: 168
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I still prefer packing them by hand. Doesn’t take that much longer and I can see if the grease is going where it should.
and yes, large crescent wrench, not channel-locks…
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05-29-2022, 07:59 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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You guys and your bias against channel locks. The spindle nut only goes to 50 ft lbs. that’s not very tight, then it gets backed off and finger tight. I would agree with you if it was actually getting torqued down. Need some people to show some love to this ingenious tool :-)
__________________
Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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05-29-2022, 08:40 AM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
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Slip joint pliers, that's a plumber's tool isn't it?
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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05-29-2022, 09:26 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Dover
Posts: 3
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Old School
The best tool for that is the palm of your hand. I worked for the Timken Company for 36+ years.
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05-29-2022, 02:19 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
The ABSOLUTE worst thing you could do to "squirt grease" into the hub (and through the bearing cage) is with the EZ Lube system zerk fitting on the center of the hub... That's a great way to blow out the hub rear seal...
So if that is your plan, I'd urge to change plans.
If you're looking for a "bearing packer" there are several available at most parts stores, online or even at Harbor Freight. Most are either mechanical or pneumatic for use with a grease gun. Just put the bearing in the tray, close the top and pump grease into the bearing until it comes out the "weep hole". Then remove the bearing and reinstall in the hub.
The alternative is the "Dad taught me" process of using your cupped palm filled with grease and "push the bearing into your palm, forcing grease into the bearing cage repeatedly, until the bearing is filled with grease. Time consuming for sure, but the result can be as thorough as the above bearing packer if you take your time and pay attention to what you're doing.
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That's the way I do mine. The ole grease in the palm method.
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