Repacking the bearings

[lottathought]

Doing the front end work on my 99 Explorer 4wd this weekend got me to thinking about getting everything on it serviced.

I read somewhere else that you can repack the wheel bearings if you take out the ABS sensor and punch grease into that hole.

What I do not want to do is screw something up when I am trying to service it.
And as I do not see any other way to get grease into this, I need to ask..

Is there any reason why I would not want to grease my wheel bearings this way?

 

[lottathought]

I this idea all that unusual?
I can not believe somebody can not lend some advice.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I have added grease to my wheel bearings that way before with no ill effects.

Sorry to be so short, I've got to go to work.

 

[gijoecam]

Can you? Yes. Is it going to significantly extend the life of them? Doubtful. The problem isn't with the lubricant, the problem is that there's no way to adjust the preload on them as they wear. The bearing is an integral part of the hub, and no amount of grease will provide the preload adjustment. It's just a crappy design.

However, if adding a few CCs of grease periodically lets you sleep better at night, then by all means go for it.

-Joe

 

[lottathought]

Thanks guys...
As long as I am not hurting anything, I will probably do it.
Cant hurt to have more grease in there.