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whats wrong with my wheel bearings!

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Strider380, Jul 30, 2007.

  1. Strider380

    Strider380 Can I have a zip tie?

    I have to empty the mud and retighten my wheel bearings every week or so, and they don't make it much further then that before they start making noises and become scary. As far as I know, if the inner seal's good and the seal on the hub is good, no water should get in. So whats going on, is it...


    A. I use the chiesel approach to tighten them:)
    B. I have a seal in there wrong allowing mud to enter (very possible)
    -or-
    C. There is no way to completly keep mud out of the hubs and bearings. You're suppose to empty them, service and repack everytime.
     
    Strider380, Jul 30, 2007
    #1
  2. jalbrecht55

    jalbrecht55 Member

    I'm going to vote for C. I think if you reverse the seal you'll sling all the wheel bearing grease out into your brakes. You might try using a better quality lip seal though. And water can enter through every part of the hub (if you have locking hubs) so each interface w/in the hub also needs to be properly sealed. Usually there's o-rings or something in there that you can replace. I bet someone on this board can recommend a grease that will work better in mud/water conditions too. I'm thinking some kind of HD marine grade grease....
     
    jalbrecht55, Jul 30, 2007
    #2
  3. Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    The military service manual for my M38A1 says they whould be repacked after fording water. Don't know if in the real world, and out in the field, that was always done but that's what the good book says.
     
    Don X, Jul 30, 2007
    #3
  4. Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

    Is your spindle all rusty and nasty where the seal is trying to ...seal? Also, what keeps water from running through the inside of the knuckle, through the I.D. of the spindle, into your hubs? Is there a seal inside the spindle that seals to the axle stub shaft? I can't remember! But if not, what keeps water from pumping straight through your spindle into your hubs?

    Chilly
     
    Chilly, Jul 30, 2007
    #4
  5. wally

    wally SSSSTER

    yes. it covers the torrington that the stub shaft rides in. it's a two-piece seal. the open end of the "v" faces out on the inner seal, which gets covered by a flat seal that seats in the recess on the end of the spindle.
     
    wally, Jul 30, 2007
    #5
  6. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Playing in mud will cause much havoc on the bearings. When i was doing mainly mud i would have to repalce thebearings every 4-6 months. Because i would go wheeling then get home and let the jeep sit for abotu 2-4 weeks, then drive again. and the bearings would jsut rot out, very quickly. It is difficult to keep the mud and water out. Oh and invest in a socket for the spindle nuts, it will pay for itself real quick.
     
    DanStew, Jul 30, 2007
    #6