Posted by John Eickhof [69.92.98.35] on Friday, May 09, 2014 at 16:18:54 :
In Reply to: Re: wheel bearings-oil or grease posted by Desoto61 [138.162.0.43] on Friday, May 09, 2014 at 07:56:49 :
I've used #2 marine grade for over 30 years in front & rear axles of FFPWs, W100-500s, up to Oshkosh 6x6 concrete trucks, most all of which lived in the snowy climates and had to swim streams and lakes and slog through mud quite often. The marine grade grease does not blend with water thus it will separate after you let it sit a day or so, then you just drain off the water, or let it seep out of the knuckles. I have never had any damaged bearings / cups and in rear axles, the natural heat caused by use tends to evaporate the water also. I also use it in all zerks when lubing the trucks. As for gear oil in the front knuckles, the inner bushing and inner oil seal needs to be replaced. In most rear axles grease is packed lightly for a pre-lube effect (unless there is an outer oil seal like the M37 and later PWs, you would pack the bearings like a front axle) Otherwise the wheel bearings are then lubricated with gear oil. Larger trucks you do not coat bearings or races, just fill the hub with gear oil after assembly. In conventional rears like the Dana 44,60,70,etc the gear oil level in the diff is at a point where the axle shafts carry the oil outward to the hub and wheel bearings. If you let the oil get low enough, you will have more major failures than just wheel bearings!
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