Correct method to re-grease rear wheel bearings?

[rotorwings]

Anyone have some tips or a description of the best way to re-pack the rear wheel bearings?

I have the bearing carrier off the car, but the only way to remove the seals and get at the bearings seems to be destructive to the seals.

Should I just squeeze grease in between the two bearings and re-assemble? Or is there a trick or better method?

[DCL]

The best way I have found is to use compressed air to blow the grease out and then a solvent cleaner and more compressed air. Repeat until it is spotlessly clean. Don't wear your Sunday best and cover it with a cloth. Repacking is fiddly but I would work the grease out from the 'centre gap' until you see it emerge on the out edge of the race. It takes a while but stick with it. Stop when you see grease come through and don't be tempted to over pack as that can be worse than too little grease.

Edited by DCL on Friday 10th June 22:01

[rotorwings]

DCL said:

The best way I have found is to use compressed air to blow the grease out and then a solvent cleaner and more compressed air. Repeat until it is spotlessly clean. Don't wear your Sunday best and cover it with a cloth. Repacking is fiddly but I would work the grease out from the 'centre gap' until you see it emerge on the out edge of the race. It takes a while but stick with it. Stop when you see grease come through and don't be tempted to over pack as that can be worse than too little grease.

Edited by DCL on Friday 10th June 22:01

Thanks DCL. Good to hear I wasn't doing something wrong.

[mharris]

I didn't think the rear bearings were user serviceable. Check for play and replace when necessary.

But I did only hear that from someone else on a forum so I'm in no way an expert.

[rotorwings]

mharris said:

I didn't think the rear bearings were user serviceable. Check for play and replace when necessary.

But I did only hear that from someone else on a forum so I'm in no way an expert.

It seems that they are certainly not easy to dismantle without destroying the seals, but re-greasing them is part of the standard maintenance schedule. They are fiddly to re-grease, but certainly do-able. However, it doesn't seem possible for the average person to replace the bearings in the carrier.

[DCL]

If they fail then you replace the whole carrier, but they will benefit from repacking regularly especially on track cars. On track, brakes can elevate hub temperatures to the point it degrades the grease quite quickly. A race quality grease such as Fuchs Titan WB grease (exspensive ) does give peace of mind.

[rotorwings]

I found this which shows how the bearings could be replaced if you felt adventurous:
http://nw.rhocar.org/wheel_bearing.htm

And here are all the Ford part numbers:
http://www.fordopedia.org/parts-catalog/sierra-mk1...

[pikeyboy]

When I worked at nsk bearings in the test lab we'd swap grease in sealed bearings by rinsing them with white spirit and blowing them through. We'd then refill with the correct weight of grease with a syringe and refit a new seal. It's doable but not easy. Make sure you get all the solvent out and don't over fill with grease.