Hi Don
Front wheel bearings will generally need to be repacked in 20 to 25,000
mi. This is especially true of the small diameter bearing which is on the
outside of the hub. It turns about twice as many times per mile as the
inside larger bearing and hence disolves its grease much faster.
The job that's involved in getting at the front whell bearings is such
that to "inspect" them is hardly worth the effort. Watch for your mileage
accumulations and just expect the bearings to need repacking in 20-25k mi.
To access the front wheel bearings, remove tire/wheel, unfasten the
brake caliper assbly and find a way to hold it up, don't let it hang with all
the weight pulling on the rubber hydraulic fluid hose, remove the cotter pin,
nut, etc. The factory svs man says that the large nut is not to be reused so
you should have your replacement in hand before starting this.
For years most oil companies supplied their stations with a special
grease just for wheel bearings. It was very fiberous and somewhat dry. More
recently most special grease products have disappeared to be replaced by
"multi-purpose" grease supposedly good for a variety of applications. I
prefer a grease with more body than what you expect in a cartridge for front
suspension zerk fittings.
After removal of both bearings, submerge them in cleaning solvent to
dissolve all old grease and grime. Blow them dry with compressed air then,
ideally, you need a bearing grease tool which forces the new grease through
and around each of the rollers in the bearings. Just wiping the rollers with
new grease is not sufficient and will never get you another 25k miles.
Cheers
Paul Sahlin
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