Can I use this bearing?

[alexey75]

I am doing my first bearing repack. Here are few pictures of bearing and race.

https://ibb.co/kcT55Sx
https://ibb.co/t8J92fq

There is some discolouration inside the bearing.
Can I continue using it?
Unfortunately during this season we won’t travel a lot, probably around 1,000 miles.

I hope it will be safe to tow it this year and I will replace these next year.

[deltabravo]

How to Repack Wheel Bearings

[JRscooby]

dodge guy wrote:
I always put some in that cavity. Air won’t hurt it and will aid in living if need be.

It's yours, you can do what you want, but I wonder if you could explain your logic in putting grease in there?

[dodge_guy]

I always put some in that cavity. Air won’t hurt it and will aid in living if need be.

[alexey75]

Sounds good, thank you guys!

[Lynnmor]

alexey75 wrote:
There is some space between inner and outer bearings.
Was I supposed to fill this space with the grease?

No, just pack some reserve just inside and outside each bearing. Don't forget to add some grease between the two lips of the seal to reduce wear on it.

[JRscooby]

alexey75 wrote:
Thank you all!
Cleaned all the bearings this morning, looks good.

I have another question. There is some space between inner and outer bearings.
Was I supposed to fill this space with the grease?

When I was taught how to pack bearings, (By Dad, late '50s, when the grease had to hold rollers in place while assembling) grease between the bearings is just wasted grease.
GM Training Center, late '60s, we where taught that space should be MT, so as bearing, and more important brakes, heat the area there will be less pressure on the seal.
Which will have least friction, steel moving past steel with 1/4 inch of air, or that same 1/4 inch full of heavy grease?

[alexey75]

Thank you all!
Cleaned all the bearings this morning, looks good.

I have another question. There is some space between inner and outer bearings.
Was I supposed to fill this space with the grease?

[JRscooby]

MFL wrote:
I agree ^^^^^

OP...you did a good job with pics!

Jerry

No matter how good the pic, or for that matter the eye, you can only see a limited number of rollers, and a limited area on each roller. Before I could say "this is good" I must see all sides of all rollers.
But some might be better mechanics than me. I wonder how many only inspect part of the bearings they install on their snot.

[Huntindog]

BurbMan wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
Clean them up perfectly and examine them with an eyeloupe.

Not something typically in the driveway toolbox. Just replace the bearings, grease properly and be sure not to over torque the axle nut when you re-install.

They are very handy. Affordable too at Harbor Freight.. 3 or 4.00. for the set.

[BurbMan]

Huntindog wrote:
Clean them up perfectly and examine them with an eyeloupe.

Not something typically in the driveway toolbox. Just replace the bearings, grease properly and be sure not to over torque the axle nut when you re-install.

[dodge_guy]

I see no problems. I would run them.

[MFL]

I agree ^^^^^

OP...you did a good job with pics!

Jerry

[Lynnmor]

The darkened areas inside the bearing is called fretting corrosion. It is caused by the small amount of play between the spindle and the inner race and the presence of air which contains oxygen. The play is necessary to allow a slip fit for easy assembly/disassembly, there is no problem. To minimize the fretting, always apply a thin coat of grease to the spindle to help exclude oxygen.

[CharlesinGA]

Lynnmor wrote:
The roller next to your finger appears to have a problem. Maybe just grease but I can't tell by the photo. If that is just grease, I see nothing wrong. You would do well to clean them better then work completely clean and inspect them again.

I saw this too, right next to his thumb. Hopefully grease. I used compressed air to blow out all of the old grease that will come out, then wash them in a container with mineral spirits. I have a real nice Graymills parts washer but it need a complete refill and that has become too expensive, so I just buy mineral spirits at Wal-Mart in the paint section (cheaper than Home Depot or Lowes) and use that. Once I have managed to swish all the grease out of the bearing (technically a "cone"), I blow it dry (don't spin it) and if it and the race (technically a "cup") are good, then I repack it.

Charles