Wrong wheel bearing grease?
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2019
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Wrong wheel bearing grease?
2001 f250 super duty with 5.4
I am replacing my rear wheel hub seals as both were leaking. However, after finishing, I was reading my general purpose lithium based grease and it says not recommended for use on disc brake wheel bearings.
Do I have to redo everything and reapply using proper grease? This grease is only there til the differential lubes the bearings as far as I understand anyway.
While apart I cleaned everything really well. On the inside of the hub was caked on grease and oil, is this from improper grease being used last time someone was inside of it or is this normal? And the oil coming from the axle opening, coming from differential smells burnt and is black as black gets.
Thanks in advance.
I am replacing my rear wheel hub seals as both were leaking. However, after finishing, I was reading my general purpose lithium based grease and it says not recommended for use on disc brake wheel bearings.
Do I have to redo everything and reapply using proper grease? This grease is only there til the differential lubes the bearings as far as I understand anyway.
While apart I cleaned everything really well. On the inside of the hub was caked on grease and oil, is this from improper grease being used last time someone was inside of it or is this normal? And the oil coming from the axle opening, coming from differential smells burnt and is black as black gets.
Thanks in advance.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 276
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From: Cincinnati, OH
I'm going to go with fine the label is probably talking about wheel bearings that don't get hit with gear oil. I've never paid attention to what grease I use in either case. Gear oil always stinks you can change it tomorrow and the next day it'll be black and smell like death.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
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Wheel bearings should ALWAYS be greased with wheel bearing grease. Lithium grease is good for components that only move a little bit, back and forth, like ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. Wheel bearings are constantly under load and constantly moving, and the heavier wheel bearing grease can handle that additional shear and heat.
You're going to want to repack those bearings or you'll be replacing them again soon.
You're going to want to repack those bearings or you'll be replacing them again soon.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 276
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From: Cincinnati, OH
How soon is soon? I got bearings packed with whatever grease I use for tie rods/ball joints going on around 5 years and thats the front ones on my truck. Never seen any grease left on the bearings in my rear when I've pulled them out just coated in gear oil. I know my mechanic buddies pack them with whatever grease is around. Never even heard of wheel bearing grease until you mentioned it and I had to google it. Pops taught me with any old grease and tighten, loosen, snug, never had any problems even then but I do believe in proper procedure and a torque wrench now. So maybe next time I'll get the wheel bearing grease now that I know about it but if I was dude I wouldn't be taking the thing back apart over it.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,762
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From: St Louis
As he originally noted in his original post "This grease is only there til the differential lubes the bearings as far as I understand anyway.", he's okay. Any grease packed into the bearings is going to get diluted out of there once the lube oil works in there.
The grease that Ford specifies for this task is a simple general purpose chassis grease, it isn't a "wheel-bearing" grease.
The grease that Ford specifies for this task is a simple general purpose chassis grease, it isn't a "wheel-bearing" grease.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
All you need is a grease for assembly. You should also fill the hub with gear oil before inserting the outer bearing. The reality is the gear oil will eventually make its way out there.
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Or should I take it back apart to fill?
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