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How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:14 pm
by Eugen
Not all of us can get the best quality ball bearings. The ones we can get may need to be repacked with grease. If any of you do that, do you have tips, guidelines, etc.?


Just got some front wheel bearings and they seem packed with the lightest grease you ever saw.

64823C65-7306-41CD-856F-7CB9386400D3.jpeg

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:42 pm
by Timj
My father, who is an old school mechanic, takes a gob of grease in one hand and repeatedly pushes the bearing into the grease while rotating the bearing. Quickly and forcefully.

I didn't check the ones I just put in. And with the seal on them, all the pumped in grease isn't going to do much. I guess we'll find out.

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 7:27 am
by DavidBarkey
Eugen wrote: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:14 pm Not all of us can get the best quality ball bearings. The ones we can get may need to be repacked with grease. If any of you do that, do you have tips, guidelines, etc.?


Just got some front wheel bearings and they seem packed with the lightest grease you ever saw.


64823C65-7306-41CD-856F-7CB9386400D3.jpeg
Colour of the grease means nothing . How does it feel in your fingers compared to good wheel bearing grease . Now that will not tell you all you need to know about the grease they put in it , but helps . The temp rating and type for the grease makes a difference on it viscosity . Unless I know from the manufacture what the bearing is rated for (temp and speed ) which will tell me what the grease is rated for I put my own in to suit my needs . Some High performance silicone grease looks like vaccine but works great .

Dave

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 7:34 am
by DavidBarkey
Timj wrote: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:42 pm My father, who is an old school mechanic, takes a gob of grease in one hand and repeatedly pushes the bearing into the grease while rotating the bearing. Quickly and forcefully.

I didn't check the ones I just put in. And with the seal on them, all the pumped in grease isn't going to do much. I guess we'll find out.
I still do it the same way as you father . That is how my father taught me . He was a Lic. Auto Mechanic as well . In over 40 years of doing it that way I have never had one fail due to lack of grease. It is messy way but I just use the Dr. gloves now and thought them away when done . :cheers:

Dave

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 7:36 am
by DavidBarkey
Just remember boys to make sure your balls are well lubed . :rofl:

Dave

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:11 am
by Harry
Timj wrote: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:42 pm My father, who is an old school mechanic, takes a gob of grease in one hand and repeatedly pushes the bearing into the grease while rotating the bearing. Quickly and forcefully.

I didn't check the ones I just put in. And with the seal on them, all the pumped in grease isn't going to do much. I guess we'll find out.
That is the very way my high school auto shop class teacher showed us how back in 1968! I'll bet some of you weren't even born yet!

Keep the Peace
Harry

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:15 am
by Eugen
DavidBarkey wrote: Mon Dec 06, 2021 7:27 am Colour of the grease means nothing . How does it feel in your fingers compared to good wheel bearing grease . Now that will not tell you all you need to know about the grease they put in it , but helps . The temp rating and type for the grease makes a difference on it viscosity . Unless I know from the manufacture what the bearing is rated for (temp and speed ) which will tell me what the grease is rated for I put my own in to suit my needs . Some High performance silicone grease looks like vaccine but works great .

Dave
Dave, it feels very light. I have read that heavy duty bearing grease should have the consistency of peanut butter. Not this one, it feels like jello.

Also, when I roll the bearing with my hand, it does not feel like new automotive bearings, you know, taking some force to roll them. These ones roll very easily.

I will wash the grease out and pack them with better grease. I ordered some Valvoline because it came up as one of the best. I'll report in my thread about packing the bearings with new grease. :D yes, these bearing balls will be well lubed :rofl:

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:17 am
by Eugen
Harry wrote: Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:11 am

That is the very way my high school auto shop class teacher showed us how back in 1968! I'll bet some of you weren't even born yet!

Keep the Peace
Harry
Which month in 1968 Harry? :wave2:

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:01 pm
by DavidBarkey
Harry wrote: Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:11 am
Timj wrote: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:42 pm My father, who is an old school mechanic, takes a gob of grease in one hand and repeatedly pushes the bearing into the grease while rotating the bearing. Quickly and forcefully.

I didn't check the ones I just put in. And with the seal on them, all the pumped in grease isn't going to do much. I guess we'll find out.
That is the very way my high school auto shop class teacher showed us how back in 1968! I'll bet some of you weren't even born yet!

Keep the Peace
Harry
I was a 3 year old young man by then . :spin:
Dave

Re: How to grease pack ball bearings

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:09 pm
by Eugen
DavidBarkey wrote: Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:01 pm
I was a 3 year old young man by then . :spin:
Dave
You were already packing bearings with grease at 3, I'm sure Dave! :D