On a standard car with rear wheel drive and tapered adjustable front wheel bearings, what goes on in there on a long trip (5 hours) on a hot day? Does the grease liquify and relube the inner and outer bearings? Is repacking the front wheel bearings necessary? About two years ago I scouped out the old grease in the bearing cap and put new grease in thinking it might migrate in on a long trip. Just curious what goes on..thanks
Front wheel bearings
- Thread starter Ignatz
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grease works buy "leaking" a little oil out of the "soap" and the leaking oil is what lubes mostly NO the grease does not melt and re harden in the bearing it is pushed "to the side of the bearing" and oil bleed does the rest of the lubeing.
bruce
bruce
Grease changes form at given temps.,but will retain proper protection due to various adds in the grease,reversability to come back to its original form,usally room temps,,bleeding of the base oil,around say 80% rest thickener and adds,carriers,,if this is done at a predictable rate as auto front bearings will last a long time..good seals are a must .BL
Kestas
Staff member
Some automotive bearings are designed to somewhat circulate the grease in the immediate area. I doubt that the grease in the cap will circulate, it's too far from the action. For funsies, remove the cap and you'll see that after two years the same grease is there.
As far as service and maintenance, ideally the bearings should be repacked any time they're opened because of the grit that usually falls in. Otherwise, it's a good idea to repack the bearings at regular intervals... but only if you know what you're doing. After all, most bearing failures are from improper installation. I like to service them every 30K. You can stretch the interval to 90K without feeling guilty. Realize that the seal is a consumable item. It wears out after time and needs to be replaced.
In your case, the bearings are (hopefully) repacked every brake change, so there's no need for you to worry.
As far as service and maintenance, ideally the bearings should be repacked any time they're opened because of the grit that usually falls in. Otherwise, it's a good idea to repack the bearings at regular intervals... but only if you know what you're doing. After all, most bearing failures are from improper installation. I like to service them every 30K. You can stretch the interval to 90K without feeling guilty. Realize that the seal is a consumable item. It wears out after time and needs to be replaced.
In your case, the bearings are (hopefully) repacked every brake change, so there's no need for you to worry.
All the above posts are pretty well right on. Particularly agree with Kestas,, pack at brake pad replacement and forget till next brakes. Grease in DUST cap is a waste of time!
Bob
Bob
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