Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

[hkeiner]

I want to repack the the wheel bearings on my boat trailer. I have not done this before so I did a little research on this. All of the instructions I have read recommend that the bearings be completely cleaned in solvent before pressing the new grease into the bearings by hand. I have not found any instructions specifically describing the cleaning requirements when a "bearing packer" is used.​

Is it OK to just wipe down the bearings with a soft cloth (to get most of the old grease off) and then just pack the new grease into the bearing with the bearing packer? I figure that the the new grease pushed through the bearings (from the inside to the outside) would purge out most of the remaining old grease and that soaking in solvent would not be that important. Basically, I am trying to avoid using any solvent due to evironmental and disposal difficulty reasons.​

A pic of the bearing packer I plan to use is attached​

Any cautions or advice on this subject.​

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

no, you need to clean all the crap out, even a toothbrush, so you can see the condition of the bearing. heat discolors the, rust, none of this you can see with out them being clean. kerosene works fine, mineral spirits.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Ayuh,.............

Your Plan is alittle bit better than doing Nothing at all,.......
But,........
It leaves out the most mportant aspect of serving the Wheel Bearings,.........

The Inspection of the parts..............

 

[hkeiner]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Dumb idea I guess. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[ASCTLC]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Disposal of the solvent once I'm done cleaning the bearing is a problem for me too. What are some of the disposal methods people know that doesn't entail pouring on the ground or down a drain in the house?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Take the bearings to any auto shop with a parts washer.I bet they would only charge a few bucks to wash them out for you.Plus they recycle the solvent too..no mess for you..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

many auto parts store accept old oil and stuff for recycle. you local , city or county, waste department should have a hazardous material collection point. this includes petroleum products, tv, computers, etc.

 

[rndn]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Seems like more work than new bearings. Why not just put some new ones on and be done with it as they are quite inexpensive?

 

[fshrman]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

In some areas it is acceptable to absorb the solvent (small quantities) in a material such as kitty litter, sweeping compound or just plain dirt and then dispose of as normal waste.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Very rarely, if ever do we use any type of solvents to accommodate a visual bearing inspection. There is so little grease between the cage and the race we typically just use a lint free cloth to wipe the surfaces clean for inspection.

If you have major grease contamination issue or the prelim visual inspection turns up something of interest then a complete wash out might be appropriate but not as a first approach. Typically if you see something that requires a bearing flush for closer inspection it’s shot and needs to be replaced anyhow.

 

[tommays]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Your looking to see if THIS has

Has started to become THIS

Now it became THIS you were pushing your luck

And would most likey be on the roadside being happy you had a road kit


Tommays

 

[hkeiner]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

As the orginal poster, I want to thank all of you for your responses.

I was initially concerned about cleaning/inspecting/greasing only the bearings, but now I realize that I need to clean/inspect the races carefully as well. The example pics of the races were especially educational.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Before you actually remove the hub, give the wheel a spin and listen carefully for any growling or grinding noises. If that's evident, you should probably do a very careful cleaning and inspection. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a full cleaning of a bearing. You cannot possibly inspect roller with gobs of grease on them. A pitted roller may not leave marks on the race or vice versa.

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Just try and use as little solvent as possible to clean them and a very easy yet somewhat time consuming way of disposal is to put it in a bucket and leave it outside. Most of the solvents used are mainly VOC based which volitalize in the air. Due to the small volume you probably will use it could take a day or two to be completely gone. Just a thought, its what i do, another option is to just dump it on concrete, this will spread it out and let it volizalize off faster and since concrete has very limited permiability and porosity it should not reach the subsurface prior to volitization. These options should be used only if there is under a half a gallon of product. Im sure not many people would agree with this method but i can assure you given the small quanities its very legal.

 

[Don S]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

It's best to use plenty of clean solvent to make sure all the grit, dirt, etc, are off the bearings, races, inside the hubs and axels.
Depending your your area of the country, look for a repair shop that uses waste oil for heat. If you use diesel fuel, to clean the parts it works great in those furnaces. We had one, and many of our customers came in and dumped their oil, gear lube, old diesel etc. (NO Antifreeze or gasoline though)

 

[burroak]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Disposal of the solvent once I'm done cleaning the bearing is a problem for me too. What are some of the disposal methods people know that doesn't entail pouring on the ground or down a drain in the house?

Thanks,
Andy

Small parts cleaning kits are available. They are handy for many cleanup jobs. They come with the container, basket, solvent, brush and a lid. The issue of disposing of the solvent will be kicked down the road for quite a while. By then, the volume of solvent will be diminished considerably; just pour it in the used motor oil container.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

I use one of these:
http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_detail.cfm?detail=559

It is fine to use the packer to replace the old grease if that's all your trying to do, if the old grease is contaminated with dirt, rust or water, then you must clean it completely. However, chances are good that if your bearing grease is rusty or mixed with water, then the bearings are beyond re-greasing. I would look closely for pitting and surface delamination. If the old grease is clean and only worn or thinned, then I wouldn't see any problem is using the packer to displace the old grease. If there is contaminants, then you need to do more than just repack the bearings.
You can remove most of the old grease with a clean rag, at least enough to inspect the rolling surfaces. If they do not look new and shiny when wiped clean, then it's time for some new bearings and seals.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

I used a citrus degreaser last time, worked fine, easy on the hands, no fumes....

 

[roozterdvx]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

I use brake parts cleaner to clean everything over/in a bucket. Once done, I left the bucket out to evaporate. It took 3 days to evap. but was completely gone.

Just wipe out the bucket, put in my roadside supplies, and set it in the truck toolbox.

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

Personally if I even think that there is a problem I just replace the bearings. I am not confident enough in my ability to visually inspect something that a few thousandths of an inch can screw up. I feel it is just safer to replace the bearings. The races are a different story as long as they are smooth and free of pitting I will inspect them unless a new set of races comes with the bearings and I can get the old ones out. At that point I will just replace them as well, of course from what I have seen that is not generally the case with hubs unless I am missing something. Good luck.