Any harm to grease packing oil cooled wheel bearings?

When a drive axle wheel end is serviced correctly there should be no need for grease. When I see this, I automatically think someone is trying to cover up something, like a wheel seal that was messed up or rusted seal surface.

Biggest hiccup is your relying on grease now to lube and cool the bearings, when its supposed to be oil. Oil cant flow through the bearings as designed.

Id make it right if it were in my bay. Any less is asking for trouble. IMO

 

Drive axle is a red flag. Like already mentioned. As you know differential surely isn't packed with grease..lol. On these container chassis, they are grease packed, i think, as there are lots of them with no way to add or check oil level. Newer ones not so. Have a sight glass, with a allen plug in the cover to add, or drain.

 

Grease in oil lubed bearings is a big no-no. Either they're trying to cover up a leaking seal or its a simple lack of knowledge.

 

I had a coworker tell me once that he packed all wheel bearings to keep them lubed until they got oil. My explanation of how it worked fell on def ears. He indicated that- " that was the way he had always done it" . He did it my way as it was my shop. I cant recall his name so he didnt last long.

Sometimes people are taught incorrectly and other times they just make dumb decisions because they dont know any better. You hit the nail on the head. LACK of knowledge.

 

Yup. I just fill up the oil well in the hub. Get everything set, put cap on. Fill to level, then spin assembly a few times. Recheck oil level. Usually have to add a bit. When i start driving, go 10 or so miles or so stop and see how everything is. Temp and leaks. Take a peek at it during the day also. Mayby i worry to much?

 

Drive axle you just make sure diff is full, then jack one side up a couple inches, then the other. That lets the oil from the housing run down into the hub. Then just check/top off the diff.

 

Yup on the drive. Can't see through axle end anyway.

 

There is a plug on most drive hubs that let's you fill the center cavity after a repair. Takes the guess work out of it