packing wheel bearings, and grease fluidity

[JHZR2]

You should learn to pack wheel bearings from an aircraft mechanic.

Grease goes in the cage the rollers reside in...

NEVER, EVER pack the "cavity". Ever.

Old thread, can you verify what you mean by the cavity?

 

[AutoMechanic]

Always pack the cavity is what I was taught. Always.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Old thread, can you verify what you mean by the cavity?

View attachment 53227

I believe they are referring to the smooth part in between the inner and outer bearing. In the picture you posted it appears to be referred to as rotating shaft. I’ve always heard that referred too as the cavity because their is a space in between the inner and outer bearing so the space in between is the cavity if that makes sense.

 

[doitmyself]

Below are pictures of the hub cavity. I was taught decades ago to pack it about 1/4 full on slow moving ag. equipment, but learned later that you are not supposed to on highway vehicles? Now I usually just butter a thin layer of grease inside type any hub cavity to deter rust.

Here's a Timken article that still recommends a bit of grease in the hub: https://www.timken.com/pdf/10844_MDV20-Proper-Lubrication-Procedures-for-Wheel-Ends.pdf

An old thread from BITOG: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-much-greese-should-be-in-a-bearing.14896/

 

[JHZR2]

Always pack the cavity is what I was taught. Always.

I’ve only ever done Mercedes-Benz wheel bearings, and trailer bearings. The Mercedes bearings, which are done by mass, the mass is split between the two bearings and the cup. Trailer bearings after failure due to poor work by local help, have bearing buddy systems, which packs the cavity, and pushes a bit out the backside.

I believe they are referring to the smooth part in between the inner and outer bearing. In the picture you posted it appears to be referred to as rotating shaft. I’ve always heard that referred too as the cavity because their is a space in between the inner and outer bearing so the space in between is the cavity if that makes sense.

Ok, so the portion of the spindle on a vehicle that doesn’t have a bearing riding on it.

Below are pictures of the hub cavity. I was taught decades ago to pack it about 1/4 full on slow moving ag. equipment, but learned later that you are not supposed to on highway vehicles? Now I usually just butter a thin layer of grease inside type any hub cavity to deter rust.
View attachment 53237View attachment 53239

Here's a Timken article that still recommends a bit of grease in the hub: https://www.timken.com/pdf/10844_MDV20-Proper-Lubrication-Procedures-for-Wheel-Ends.pdf

An old thread from BITOG: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-much-greese-should-be-in-a-bearing.14896/

I’ve seen some indication that a thin film of grease might be left on all surfaces, primarily to catch dirt, grit, or shavings if they are produced.