Rear wheel bearing axle spindle Taurus

[road_rascal]

So I'm replacing the rear drum brakes on my '99 Taurus (shoes, drums, wheel cylinders etc) and I notice that the wheel bearings inside the hub assembly feel a little natty. They don't have that nice smooth rotation, so I figure I better replace them. Well, Ford says I have replace the whole hub assembly, not just the two bearings

. Anyways, once I get the part, is there any reason why I SHOULD NOT put a light coating of grease or anti-seize on the axle spindle? I do this on motorcycle axles to keep them from rusting. The right side looks good, the left side has an ever so slight rust stain (easily cleaned up). What's everyones thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Kestas]

No, in fact this is encouraged. I've seen antifret paste used in this application, and I have reason to believe antifret paste is simply a copper-based antisieze compound.

 

[porcupine73]

Go for it. In fact since you're spending this kind of time&cash, maybe you could simply upgrade to rear disc brakes in the process if there's a similar Taurus that offered rear discs?

 

[road_rascal]

I'm not going to bother upgrading to rear discs, even though it's a common topic on the TCCA board (TaurusCarClub of America). For an 8 year old daily driver, what's the point really, when well adjusted drums work great. Carquest Auto Parts called me and said that they do not have the rear wheel hub in stock

even though they said they did, so I'm going to go internet on this one. I had to put the old hubs/ rear bearings back on, even though they felt a touch rough, they're not going to self destruct soon. They actually felt OK once I bolted the main axle nut on. I figured smearing a little anti-seize on the spindle wouldn't hurt anything, just asking around. Thanks.