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Wheel bearings and locking hubs

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Wheel bearings and locking hubs
leftoflefty

leftoflefty

Jeeper
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Location
Greensboro, NC
Vehicle(s)
'77 CJ5 - 304 V8 - 3 spd manual trans
Instead of highjacking someone's thread I figured I'd post a new one with my numerous questions.

My fellow wrenchers and I figured it would be a pretty good idea to replace my wheel bearings while we are re-vamping my front end. I've got a '77 CJ5 with a Dana 30 axle that has Warn manual locking hubs.

My questions are:

-Are there different kinds of bearings for the manual locking hubs?
-If so, where can I locate? Napa? Autozone?
-Are there any types of specialty tools I will need for this project.
(I've read about a spindle nut socket)
-What is the best kind of grease to pack the bearings with?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys have to offer. :notworthy:
 
The hub doesn't make a difference on the wheel bearings.

A 77 should have two different bearings and races (inner and outer). Don't forget to get the seal. Any auto part store should have them or be able to get the in a day (they are common).

A spindle nut wrench is not necessary but makes life easier (and they are pretty cheap).

I use a waterproof grease, but unless you are submerging your CJ all the time a good wheel bearing grease is really all you need.

#16 is the wheel bearing set and seal from Morris (use our code for 10% off if you order from them). -->> http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-brake-parts/cj5-cj7-cj8-scrambler/index.htm
 
you can find wheel bearings at the parts house, the socket you need is a 2 1/16th inch available at most parts houses. the socket is a short section of pipe with the end hammered to fit the nut and costs about $15 or you can buy a real socket for about $200. a torque wrench is a good thing. I like to preload the bearings to 50 ft lb and back off 1/8 turn. don't know why just the way I was taught by someone I don't even remember, could be BS but I will keep doing it. A good quality high temp wheel bearing grease, lubriplate is a good brand, I used red the last time I did mine just because it looked cool.
clean is important and when you clean and lube the hubs do not use too much grease, they will lock up hydraulically and not engage.:cool:
 
And very important (I forgot to mention this) - pack your wheel bearings correctly, don't just wipe the grease on them. ;) ;)
 
this is my favorite part, wheel bearing grease up to my elbows.:D


CJ said:
And very important (I forgot to mention this) - pack your wheel bearings correctly, don't just wipe the grease on them. ;) ;)
Click to expand...
 
So I popped off the hub lock caps this morning after I got off work.

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So where do I go from here? Should I first clean out all of this old grease with some brake cleaner spray? Is this where I need to put the spindle socket to use or get the rest of this hub off?

Please forgive my ignorance, I'm new at this.
 
You have to remove the nuts and washers, then pull the hub, remove the old greas (brake clean is only used to clean residue) by scraping and wiping, pack the bearings and then put in the inner and then the seal and then re-assemble.

Do you have a manual? Have you ever replaced bearings? Do you know how to correctly pack a wheel bearing with grease?
 
I have a CJ rebuild and upgrade manual. I myself have never replaced bearings, but my wrenching buddies have. We have just never taken apart manual locking hubs. And yeah we can pack bearings.

I'm just trying to get some experienced info rather than looking at pictures in a book. It always helps conversing with people who "have been there done that".
 
Great! It's exactly the same thing as a car, just in a larger scale. Clean the grease from around the nuts, take off the first, pull the washer (you will have to straighten the tangs, but you will see that whn you clean off the grease), remove the second nut and washer and your good to go. Just follow the diagram in the manual, it's a piece of cake... :)

One thing, you do not need to fill the hub with grease when yo assemble it.
 
I have formed a habit of using boat trailer wheel bearing grease which is a blue color. I think this provides some extra protection from water corrosion. Still need to check and regrease after a diet of underwater work though.
 
It's been a slow process. I had to work all last weekend so I didn't get much wrench time in. The little I did was spent going to the parts store to get tools I either needed or didn't need. I came to screeching halt when I got to the axle nut. Couldn't find a 2 1/16" socket anywhere so I had to order one from Morris. That should be here by Thursday. So then I can finally get the wheel hubs off and start getting dirty. Should have everything done this weekend though. Good luck on yours too.
 
You know, until a few years ago I never used a socket. Just used a cold chisel to turn the nuts...
 
I tried that along with some channel locks. Couldn't really get a good grip on it. I did manage to turn it a little bit but it wouldn't budge anymore. Apparently the last guy went through the same thing, judging by the looks of it. I'll probably end up changing the nuts out completely. I just wanted to make sure I got these off before they got totally FUBARed.
 
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