When putting new bearings/seal in a rear hub, should the bearings be packed w/ grease or just coated w/ gearlube and the hub filled w/ lube? What about if just sliding the axle out and checking the preload, not taking it all apart? I was going to go ahead and grease them, but was looking in the second gen forum and there are guys saying that they/ve never greased them, just made sure the hub was filled, and never had a problem. They were also saying certain greases won't mix well and will gel w/ gear lube. Opinions/experiences? Either way, I'm going to jack up either end of the housing once full to make sure gearlube fills the hub before it was driven. What about the nylock nut/locking shoe? Can those can be reused as long as they're in good shape? Thanks

 

No, the rear axle bearings use the same lube from the differential. When you're finished with the repair, drive through a ditch or something so as to have some of the lube oil run over to the ends of the axles.

It would be a good idea to check the diff oil level when done.

Least that's what the voices say.

 

The ny-lock nut can be re-used, so long as the back-side isn't all grooved out by the bearing eating into it, which doesn't take long.

A much better solution is to swap the single ny-lock junk for the old style double nut and eared lock-washer.


I have always packed any floating bearing with Kendall Super-Blu, prior to installation; it probably isn't necessary, but it is just how I am.

 

Using wheel bearing grease will ensure the bearings are lubricated until gear oil reaches them. I always use wheel bearing grease.

 

I used Mobil 1 synthetic bearing grease on my rear wheel bearings and Valvoline Dure-Blend semi-synthetic gear lube in the diff. The two should mix well, eventually.

 

it is a matter of personal preference realy, whether to prelube the bearing or not, as long as they get lube to them!
You mentioned your gonna jack up the opposite end of the axle to make sure lube gets to the bearing, that should be fine.

 

what he said, i have a nice hill in my yard i park my truck on after i am done doing service work back there. have not had a problem yet.

 

I grease 'em too. Probably overkill but it can't hurt anything.

I don't pack them like I'd pack a front wheel bearing, I just gob some on the bearing before I slap it in the hub. Just so it's not dry before the gear lube runs in.

 

don't forget to put some lube on the grease seal, you don't want to run it dry.

 

Belt and suspenders, I grease em.

 

The correct way is to grease them. BUT I have done it both ways. It depends how tired I am.