Wheel bearing replacement question.

[njoconnor]

While waiting for the last trailing arm bushing to surrender (it's in the vise, with pressure on the metal sleeve, hoping it oozes it's way out of that trailing arm), I moved to the front suspension. Heeding the warnings about removing and dropping wheel bearings, I carefully loosened and then removed the axle nut, outer bearing and seal, and then the hub. Zip tied them in order, and kept left and right together.

I know I need to install new nuts (for fresh staking). I'm wondering, though, if a new set of bearings and seals might be indicated. After removing the hubs, I found the left side brake shield dry, and the right very greasy. Same with the back sides of the hubs. Pix follow, first left, then right, then the hubs (oriented left and right in order).

Left side spindle:



Right side spindle:



Hubs, left and right, respectively:



Looks to my newbie eyes that there's a lot of grease having leaked out. The right side disc brake had definitively been dragging, BTW, and I'm changing out the pads and calipers with this project. The bearings all look (and feel) to be smooth and turning well, with no visible damage to inner or outer bearings/cages. So, recommendations: clean it up, repack what I got, and do an annual inspection/repack? Or, replace all the bearings and seals? Got a pending order at A/R, so it's easy to add things now....

Thanks

Neil

[DieselSpider]

Clean the bearings and inspect them for dark areas and scoring to the rollers, cage and races replacing them if any is found or if they feel rough. If unsure then replace. You need to put in new seals regardless either way. The grease leaking out on the side with the dragging brake is most likely due to the heat from the dragging brake and not too much to be concerned about unless the bearing show signs of being cooked and turning blue.

I you are uncertain then play it safe and replace them and you should be good for many years to come with just regularly scheduled maintenance.

[njoconnor]

Thanks, DS. Figured the brake contributed. I'll carefully remove the inner bearing race and inner seal for a better look. New seals added to the order....

Neil

[DieselSpider]

Usually best to only remove the pressed in race if your going to replace it. Once the seal is out you should be able to see the race well enough to inspect it.