Quick tip needed please - front wheel bearings

M

mhk87

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I bought replacement bearings to put on with new rotors and pads and have them packed and ready to reinstall. When I removed the hubs yesterday, they were PACKED with grease between the bearings, all the way to the spindle (? I think, whatever the hub mounts to). So I would estimate an almost 1cm thick layer of grease I was scraping out of there. All the tutorials I am finding online show a light coating of grease on the bearing cup and nothing else. What is the correct amount? Would like to finish this up for work tomorrow - your input appreciated! Thanks
 
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What year is your truck? I have an 85(solid axle) and i always put a good amount in there after i pack the bearings. It may be different for newer trucks(86+) as they have IFS. I wouldn't imagine that too much grease is over kill. Maybe someone with experience pertaining to an IFS can chime in
 
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Yes pack grease in there every hub I've been into has had excess amount. It's like a grease cave. I assume the purpose is to keep mositure from building up.

Also push the cv back towards diff. Pack grease on the stub that goes through the brass bushing. Them spindle bushings will make noise if not lubed good.
 
Thanks. Loaded it up pretty good and got it back together in the nice 25 degree weather, snowing. I could not get one of the inside pistons on the drivers caliper to retract. I had to use the old pad since I could not get the clearance I needed for the new one. Truck is pulling right on hard braking now, I hope it's just the pad :ohwell: . Is there a tool anyone has had luck with or do you just use c-clamps?
 
C clamps and the old pad to compress the pistons.

I only ever used just barely enough grease in my IFS knuckles, and I do the same with the solid axle version I have now. I think if I was constantly in deep water or mud I'd use more, but I'm not, so I leave plenty of room for grease to expand. Makes it less of a mess to clean out when it's time to redo the bearings too.
 
I wouldn't worry a whole lot about it, unless 89 pounds of grease came out. In my experience/opinion, its better to have too much than too little; but don't mix grease kinds/manufacturers! They can actually break eachother down and diminish the "grease" properties sometimes. Also, double check your bearing/locknut tension. When replacing pads recently, I found out my whole locknut had backed off and it was loose! :(
 
Old pad and big ass Channel locks. And if you can't get it to move replace the caliper. Good luck and don't let that old pad get to the metal or you'll be putting on another new rotor.
 
I use a nifty tool I picked up at autozone for like $10 for calipers. OEM's Disc pad spreader is what it is called. You get them as a pair and I bought mine years ago, love these things. I used to always use a old pad and some channel locks, had to replace to many calipers that way tho.

Edit: After seeing the DIY video and seeing the 4 piston calipers, my nifty little tool is going to be useless here.
 
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Jayzero911 said:
I use a nifty tool I picked up at autozone for like $10 for calipers. OEM's Disc pad spreader is what it is called. You get them as a pair and I bought mine years ago, love these things. I used to always use a old pad and some channel locks, had to replace to many calipers that way tho.

Edit: After seeing the DIY video and seeing the 4 piston calipers, my nifty little tool is going to be useless here.
Click to expand...

I know which one youre talking about, I bought the same one, after years of arguing with channel locks. They work wonders on one or two piston calipers, though!
 
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