What do you use to pack bearings?

[memory]

How do you guys pack your bearings? Do you just do it by hand or do you have a special tool? I found a bearing packer tool and wanted to know if it does a good job at packing the bearing with grease. New Universal Wheel Bearing Grease Packer | eBay How many of you guys have one of these? Do they really work?

 

[MOE]

They work pretty good. they force the grease through the end of a timpkin type bearing and out the rollers. It purges them as well. Old timers would take a wad of grease in the palm of their hand and slap the bearing into it with the other to do the same thing; the tool seems a lot easier.

 

[outdoorlivin247]

They work pretty good. they force the grease through the end of a timpkin type bearing and out the rollers. It purges them as well. Old timers would take a wad of grease in the palm of their hand and slap the bearing into it with the other to do the same thing; the tool seems a lot easier.

Pretty much exactly what I was going to say!!!

 

[memory]

They work pretty good. they force the grease through the end of a timpkin type bearing and out the rollers. It purges them as well. Old timers would take a wad of grease in the palm of their hand and slap the bearing into it with the other to do the same thing; the tool seems a lot easier.

Well, we must be old timers then because that is exactly how we do it. I was just trying to find a less messy way to pack bearings. I just don't understand exactly how this tool gets grease to the inside of the bearing. How does it keep the grease from coming out? I can see how the bottom of the bearing is sealed but how is the top sealed?

Another question, we have all types of farm equipment so we are constantly repacking or replacing bearings. When putting everything back together, is it a good idea to fill the hub with as much grease as you can on the type that doesn't have a grease fitting?

 

[VA-Sawyer]

Yes, the grease packers can do a good job. I have one that looks like a cone stuffed inside another cone on a threaded shaft. For one or two bearings, I find it easier to pack by hand. About 3 or 4 bearings, the time required to cleanup the packer becomes worth it. As for filling up the hub with grease, on a boat trailer I do, on all others I just wipe in a film of grease to prevent rust. On tapered bearings the grease is shoved in the big end till it starts to squeeze out the small end. Same for hand or cone packing.
Rick

 

[memory]

Now I have a question about removing seals. Is it possible to remove them and still be able to reuse them? I am trying to get the bearing out to repack it. I would normally buy a new seal but we need to get the hub put back together as quickly as possible, need to use the wagon very soon and don't have time to wait on parts to come in.

On the opposite end of the sealed end, I am not able to hit it with anything since the bearing is in the way. Is there some kind of special tool made to remove seals?

 

[dozerdan]

Now I have a question about removing seals. Is it possible to remove them and still be able to reuse them? I am trying to get the bearing out to repack it. I would normally buy a new seal but we need to get the hub put back together as quickly as possible, need to use the wagon very soon and don't have time to wait on parts to come in.

On the opposite end of the sealed end, I am not able to hit it with anything since the bearing is in the way. Is there some kind of special tool made to remove seals?

Its not hard to take the bearing and seal out without damage to either of them. Remover your outer nut, washer and bearing. Screw the nut back on the spindle, pull your hub quickly toward the nut with slight downward pressure. Now you should have the hub in your hand and the bearing and the seal will be on the spindle. I have done hundreds of them this way and I have never hurt the bearing or the seal.

Later
Dan

 

[Toddppm]

Hard to tell from that ebay picture if the same but I have 1 of these Lisle 65250 Bearing Packer - Lubrication / Hose Reels and it works pretty good except for cleaning it up after use. Should probably just stick it in a plastic bag and not worry about it but I hate getting grease everywhere. Funny , I had that thing for at least 15 years and never used until last summer when I had a few bearings to do at once. Always just did the old school method.
Dans idea sounds like an easy way to get the other bearing and seal out, they do make a seal removal tool that has a hooked puller if you don't mind buying another tool and who doesn't?

 

[memory]

Its not hard to take the bearing and seal out without damage to either of them. Remover your outer nut, washer and bearing. Screw the nut back on the spindle, pull your hub quickly toward the nut with slight downward pressure. Now you should have the hub in your hand and the bearing and the seal will be on the spindle. I have done hundreds of them this way and I have never hurt the bearing or the seal.

Later
Dan

How well does this method work with seals that tend to be stubborn? I usually don't have any problems removing the bearings since they are usually not real right.

Hard to tell from that ebay picture if the same but I have 1 of these Lisle 65250 Bearing Packer - Lubrication / Hose Reels and it works pretty good except for cleaning it up after use. Should probably just stick it in a plastic bag and not worry about it but I hate getting grease everywhere. Funny , I had that thing for at least 15 years and never used until last summer when I had a few bearings to do at once. Always just did the old school method.
Dans idea sounds like an easy way to get the other bearing and seal out, they do make a seal removal tool that has a hooked puller if you don't mind buying another tool and who doesn't?

That is the same one I linked to. I may get one of these and try it out. Who knows, I may go back to the old fashioned way. One thing I started doing is wearing a pair of those hospital gloves, keeps your hands a little cleaner.

I have seen those hook type pullers but how do they do on stubborn seals?

 

[Toddppm]

Another lisle tool http://www.sears.com/lisle-seal-puller/p-00947645000P
Haven't had one it couldn't pull out yet but it will destroy them if they don't want to come out easily.

 

[MOE]

Yes, the grease packers can do a good job. I have one that looks like a cone stuffed inside another cone on a threaded shaft. For one or two bearings, I find it easier to pack by hand. About 3 or 4 bearings, the time required to cleanup the packer becomes worth it. As for filling up the hub with grease, on a boat trailer I do, on all others I just wipe in a film of grease to prevent rust. On tapered bearings the grease is shoved in the big end till it starts to squeeze out the small end. Same for hand or cone packing.
Rick

I keep mine in a gallon zip lock bag when I'm not using it. I don't clean it unless it's really a mess. I use only hi temp red so I don't have to worry about mixing greases.

 

[dozerdan]

How well does this method work with seals that tend to be stubborn? I usually don't have any problems removing the bearings since they are usually not real right.



That is the same one I linked to. I may get one of these and try it out. Who knows, I may go back to the old fashioned way. One thing I started doing is wearing a pair of those hospital gloves, keeps your hands a little cleaner.

I have seen those hook type pullers but how do they do on stubborn seals?

One of the garages that I worked at years ago was 25 mile from the closest parts store. I had to lean how to pull the bearings without hurting the seal. I have tried the seal pullers an they will destroy the seal. Use the method that I suggested and it will work 99% of the time.

This is the only grease that I have used for the last 15 years. With the raising cost of grease tubes lately I have been refilling them with the same grease.

6 lbs WTR Aircraft Grade Grease Military Mobil Oil Co | eBay

Later
Dan