What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

To Grease or not to Grease- thats my question.

combatmatt

combatmatt

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jun 18, 2007
Posts
230
Reaction score
0
Location
Crawlorado Springs or Afghanaraq
Rebuilding the hubs on my 14bFF and after getting everything out i noticed that there was no "grease" in the bearings, just residual 90w. Alright so i did some searching in the forums and came up with a few threads where the arguement is;

1- to grease the bearings and install and the 90w will "wash" the grease out but possibly contaminate the gear oil.

:confused: can you cross contaminate oil/grease and will it affect the diff?

2- pre-lube the bearings with 90w prior to install and then reassemble and drive like normal with washing

:confused: will this cause bearing burnout/failure?

any input helps, thanks in advance
 
I have always just put gear oil on the bearings so they aren't dry and i've never had an issue. There are others here who swear by greasing them and even "claim" the factory manual says to do so.
 
yeah, it was the thread-debate between you 4x4high and Kennyw that got me thinking about the whole thing. Probably going to go with the oil soak and save the packing fun for the front.
 
On my old 14 bolt I just ran oil, no grease. When I built my current D70HD I packed the bearings because I knew it would sit for a while before running. What can it hurt :dunno:
 
I have always greased the bearings lightly just to have something to roll the vehicle around on as it always seems to be a while before the gear oil gets added.

I see no need for a full grease job. If you are putting the new bearings in and running it within a few days I would just oil them up and go from there.

One thing that we always do is to fill the dif. up then jack up the axle on each side to get the oil to run down the tubes to the hubs and fill them. Then re check and add oil as needed. This way the bearings have oil right away when you start driving.
 
i take and put a small coating on the rollers just before install. no pack in just a coating. then fill and run and never have problems. this is a everyday thing at work as a auto tech.
 
I always use a little white engine break in grease on the bearings. Never had any problems.
 
To be properly lubricated, Bearings only need oil to half way up the lowest roller or ball. but like everyone else has said it would be a good idea to pre oil soak them or put a light film of grease on them. Dont pack them with grease
 
Like most have said a light coat of grease so they dont run dry.

Heres the thing though If you do pack them its not going to hurt anything.

Sometimes when oil bath hubs on semi trailers get a groove on the seal surface people will just pack the bearings with grease and run without the oil. The oil IS NOT going to wash the grease away there is no pressure feed to do so. in the winter your rolling resistance is going to increase with grease but unless you live on the north face in alaska your not going to notice it.
 
Mudstud said:
I use urine from a female goat. Never had a problem and reduces seal wear.
Click to expand...


I am surprised you haven't had any issues, everyone knows that it is the urine from an ovulating female goat that is the good stuff.
 
Fumes is the final authority on many uses and grades of goat pee, maybe he'll post up.


He'll probably have some tips on figuring out when they need to go and how to get them in the right position over your hubs as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom