Posted by Vaughn on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 9:46PM :
In Reply to: FFPW Front Knuckle Bearings Question posted by Marty on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 4:48PM :
It wasn't me that recommended marine grease.
For felt seal knuckles
The Shop Manual call for packing the UJ with chassis lubricant (grease) prior to installing in the housing. Most grease sold today will work for greasing chassis or wheel bearings -- read the application on the container your planning to buy. I myself use heavy duty wheel bearing grease for drum brakes for lubing everything except contact point cam in the dist.
For rubber or neoprene seal knuckles - use SAE 140 gear lube
The lower bearing does not require maintenance since grease should be packed into it on a rebuild. As the axle rotates grease is force to it, but it does not require much lube for the taveling it does. As grease liquifies with time, oil runs to it anyway.
If your seals are leaking, they should be replaced, and the knuckle flanges adjusted to the proper drag prior to installing new seals. A lot of the leakage is grease gone to oil and oil from the diff that has worked past an old axle seal.
I would rebuild each knuckle and replace axle bushing/seal
Mine have 5 years on the rebuild and don't leak.
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