Wheel Bearings

Thanks again Old ugly. I have another situation regarding the rear wheel bearings that I won't start another thread on because others have advised me not to, even tho it's a totally diferent subject. I had a terible time getting the outer grease seal out but finally got it. Does Snyders sell a tool that would make this easier? What kind of greese should I use? What holds the bearing from going iin and out? With the seal in, there is still a lot of room for it to go back and forth. What do you think of next time I grease the bearings I just check the grease seal and, if it looks good, just do my best to repack the bearing?
 
Thanks again Old ugly. I have another situation regarding the rear wheel bearings that I won't start another thread on because others have advised me not to, even tho it's a totally diferent subject. I had a terible time getting the outer grease seal out but finally got it. Does Snyders sell a tool that would make this easier? What kind of greese should I use? What holds the bearing from going iin and out? With the seal in, there is still a lot of room for it to go back and forth. What do you think of next time I grease the bearings I just check the grease seal and, if it looks good, just do my best to repack the bearing?
There are seal removal tools (for example, https://www.amazon.com/DURATECH-Puller-Treated-Grease-Removal/dp/B0B24NJ99B/?tag=atomicindus08-20) but for the rear drum I pry the rubber out, then cut the flat part of the metal back. I then grab one ear of that cut with a pair of Vice-Grips and pull, tug and cuss until I have separated the seal metal from the hub a little. Once you can get a screwdriver between the metal seal and the hub it’s easy. Beer helps.
 
on that rear wheel bearing and the hub that it rides in make sure the hub is not worn too far oversize.
it will survive if it is just minimal., there is a repair sleeve available if it is a little over size, but i have seen them where they are worn out to about an 1/8"over, at that point it would most likely be garbage and you will need to replace it.
you can usually tell because there will be a ridge at the edge from wear.
just make sure the bearing fits in there nice.

on that bearing i just grease it with the grease gun at maintenance interval. but you could grease it with wheel bearing grease at the time of assembly.
you wouldn't want to take it apart every time you want to grease it tho.

p.s beer always helps
 
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If the rear wheel bearings are badly worn, get ready to start waking. It WILL eventually lead to a broken axle.
The worst of the wear is at the axle nut end of the hub. That allows the wheel to lean inwards at the top. The lean creates forces trying to bend the axle.As the wheel turns, the forces work at the axle causing fatigue and eventually, fracture.
Those who have seen broken axles will confirm it always happens just inboard of the hub.
 
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