I have a 2002 F250 4x4 and replaced the faulty factory vacuum hubs with Milemaker units and am thrilled with their performance. I've recently been replacing the bumpers, applying Linex to rockers/fenders and saw the exposed vacuum line on the inside of the wheel and thought that it would make sense to replace line with a grease fitting. Am I crazy and would that help/hurt?

 

I don't know you well enough to comment on your sanity, but this idea should be blamed on the meds. The grease isn't going to anywhere helpful if you stick it down the vacuum fitting, it's just going to make a mess inside the hub. The hole for the ABS sensor is a different story though. There is a fitting that can be used to grease the front bearings and many have had success doing it.

When doing a conversion to manual hubs, do you retain the vacuum seal? I'm guessing you have to because it sort of holds the axle in place, right?

 

andym,

Thanks. It made sense to me and I wanted to ask the experts before doing something I'd regret!

jeff

 

All you do is replace the auto-locking hub on the outside with the manual unit. Everything else is the same after that so all the seals and O-rings are still there. They just don't have to be a perfect seal to hold vacuum anymore, just keep the dust and grime out.

 

well, the truth is if the grease seems to be helpful, your seals are probably bad. let me explain...there are 4 seals in most of these hubs. if you add grease to the hub using either the vacume hole or the abs sensor, with good seals, the grease anit going anywhere. so if your seals are good after you add the grease, and pull the locking dial, and find no grease additions...thats expected...the seals are working.

but, if you add grease and pull the locking dials and find new grease...before you say "you see...it works" the grease appears to works becuase your seals are worn.

now, on the subject of grease...you cant put HP grease and believe it will flow thru the seals. wheel bearing grease is lighter than HP grease and even that will have trouble flowing thru the seals.

BUT, if you are a million miles from home and your hub starts to make noises and run hot...you can stop in a truck stop and buy some hub oil which is about 600wt and add that to your worn hubs and it will probally get you home.