The Ford Barn

shew01 · 10-02-2021, 11:46 AM

I saw a post on here that lead me to believe that the wheel bearing repack interval is every 10-15 miles. Is that correct?

That would hold true for the front and rear bearings, correct?

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katy · 10-02-2021, 11:48 AM

10 - 15 years would be more like it.

shew01 · 10-02-2021, 11:55 AM

Typo. The post I saw said 10-15K miles. Does that sound right? I’m driving the car 5000+ a year, and I don’t want to press my luck on a long trip.

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Patrick L. · 10-02-2021, 12:02 PM

With todays grease I would think every 4-5 years would be fine. If used in wet weather maybe more often.
If you get nervous about a long trip, its not going to hurt to do it before the trip.

Utopia Texas · 10-02-2021, 12:10 PM

If your seals are good many years between repacking.

shew01 · 10-02-2021, 12:17 PM

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Thanks for the feedback. The same interval would apply to the front bearings too, correct?

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Chuck Sea/Tac · 10-02-2021, 01:40 PM

I won’t be using modern grease any more. Use the old school drum stringy stuff.

nkaminar · 10-02-2021, 05:06 PM

Aren't there grease fittings for the rear bearings? And, has anyone installed grease fittings for the front bearings?

Patrick L. · 10-02-2021, 05:21 PM

I think I'm one of the few that uses the rear bearing grease fittings. They tend to fill up with crap over the decades but once cleaned out I think they can be used.

I've put grease fittings in many hubs between the bearings where they don't bother the wheel. Some folks say that the hubs can't be run full of grease but I've done it for 5 decades in some instances. [ mostly trailers]

Getting back the original post, I think the fronts need packing more often that the rears. I think some folks seem to think that the fronts have grease seals, I have not seen an A with what most folks think of as a grease seal [ neoprene/rubber]. They have a dust seal, maybe. The fronts are kinda hanging out in the weather.

nkaminar · 10-02-2021, 08:15 PM

You can buy a front hub grease cap that pushes onto the hub to keep out dirt, see the link below. I think that if you add the grease fitting, like Patrick has done, you can remove the cap and old grease will come out the end of the hub, to be wiped up with some rags. At least that is the way it works on trailers.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...s/model-a/hubs

Bruce of MN · 10-03-2021, 05:55 AM

I made a rookie mistake and filled my trailer hubs with grease. The grease expanded with heat, blew the seals, lost the grease, and ruined the axle. Never again!

Patrick L. · 10-03-2021, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

You can buy a front hub grease cap that pushes onto the hub to keep out dirt, see the link below. I think that if you add the grease fitting, like Patrick has done, you can remove the cap and old grease will come out the end of the hub, to be wiped up with some rags. At least that is the way it works on trailers.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...s/model-a/hubs

Well, ya know what, I didn't know that. Its nice to learn something every day.
I thought that outer dust cap was on all As. I've not seen one with out it. Must be they were all installed after the fact. That Snyder ad stated they were discovered in late '31. Interesting.

What I was earlier referring to was the inboard seal. I've not ever seen one of those either, just the open dust seal. No modern style rubber one.

Kurt in NJ · 10-03-2021, 08:17 AM

The later cars without the grease fitting had 10000 miles as the rear wheel bearing lubrication interval

Redbird · 10-03-2021, 08:57 PM

I believe Ford recommended every 500 miles on front repack.

Patrick L. · 10-04-2021, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redbird

I believe Ford recommended every 500 miles on front repack.

I'd like to see that. Where is it ?

jwilliams81 · 10-04-2021, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redbird

I believe Ford recommended every 500 miles on front repack.

Ford instruction manual that came with every new Model A off the line... list the front wheel bearings repacked every 5,000 miles. (picture attached)

Patrick L. · 10-04-2021, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwilliams81

Ford instruction manual that came with every new Model A off the line... list the front wheel bearings repacked every 5,000 miles. (picture attached)

Thats how I understand it.

With the grease and roads of the day it makes/made sense.

Jordan · 10-05-2021, 08:16 AM

It takes 30 minutes max to repack front wheel bearings. Just do it every spring before touring season and you won't have to worry about it. I add grease to the rear wheel bearings every few years.

Kevin in NJ · 10-05-2021, 12:34 PM

The problem with Ford recommendations from the 30's is they are based on the very crappy lubricants of the day. They did not understand how to properly refine the oils and the life expectancy was very low.

Most modern cars do not get their front bearings greased very often and 100,000 miles is not uncommon. The bearings have not changed much, but the lubricants have.

The idea of putting a grease fitting on the front hub is very bad. If filled up fully it will cause the bearings to go bad quickly.

Likely the biggest problem with wheel bearings is not properly loading them with grease. There are videos on how to properly hand pack them. Watch them. I have watched A guys just wipe some grease on the surface and put them on the axle.

Patrick L. · 10-05-2021, 01:12 PM

Yep, I've seen fellas improperly pack bearings for decades, as well as adjusting.

Greases have improved drastically over the years and so have the roads. So they don't need to be done as often. But, the inner bearing is still hanging out in the breeze.

10-02-2021, 11:46 AM	#1
shew01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Roanoke, VA USA Posts: 1,908	Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval I saw a post on here that lead me to believe that the wheel bearing repack interval is every 10-15 miles. Is that correct? That would hold true for the front and rear bearings, correct? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-02-2021, 11:48 AM	#2
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,042	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval 10 - 15 years would be more like it. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

10-02-2021, 11:55 AM	#3
shew01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Roanoke, VA USA Posts: 1,908	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval Typo. The post I saw said 10-15K miles. Does that sound right? I’m driving the car 5000+ a year, and I don’t want to press my luck on a long trip. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-02-2021, 12:02 PM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval With todays grease I would think every 4-5 years would be fine. If used in wet weather maybe more often. If you get nervous about a long trip, its not going to hurt to do it before the trip.

10-02-2021, 12:10 PM	#5
Utopia Texas Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Brookshire & Cat Spring,Texas Posts: 222	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval If your seals are good many years between repacking.

10-02-2021, 12:17 PM	#6
shew01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Roanoke, VA USA Posts: 1,908	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the feedback. The same interval would apply to the front bearings too, correct? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-02-2021, 05:06 PM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval Aren't there grease fittings for the rear bearings? And, has anyone installed grease fittings for the front bearings? __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-02-2021, 05:21 PM	#9
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval I think I'm one of the few that uses the rear bearing grease fittings. They tend to fill up with crap over the decades but once cleaned out I think they can be used. I've put grease fittings in many hubs between the bearings where they don't bother the wheel. Some folks say that the hubs can't be run full of grease but I've done it for 5 decades in some instances. [ mostly trailers] Getting back the original post, I think the fronts need packing more often that the rears. I think some folks seem to think that the fronts have grease seals, I have not seen an A with what most folks think of as a grease seal [ neoprene/rubber]. They have a dust seal, maybe. The fronts are kinda hanging out in the weather.

10-02-2021, 08:15 PM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval You can buy a front hub grease cap that pushes onto the hub to keep out dirt, see the link below. I think that if you add the grease fitting, like Patrick has done, you can remove the cap and old grease will come out the end of the hub, to be wiped up with some rags. At least that is the way it works on trailers. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...s/model-a/hubs __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-03-2021, 05:55 AM	#11
Bruce of MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA Posts: 1,410	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval I made a rookie mistake and filled my trailer hubs with grease. The grease expanded with heat, blew the seals, lost the grease, and ruined the axle. Never again!

10-03-2021, 08:17 AM	#13
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,156	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval The later cars without the grease fitting had 10000 miles as the rear wheel bearing lubrication interval

10-03-2021, 08:57 PM	#14
Redbird Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 535	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval I believe Ford recommended every 500 miles on front repack.

10-05-2021, 08:16 AM	#18
Jordan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 1,006	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval It takes 30 minutes max to repack front wheel bearings. Just do it every spring before touring season and you won't have to worry about it. I add grease to the rear wheel bearings every few years. __________________ Cowtown A's

10-05-2021, 12:34 PM	#19
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval The problem with Ford recommendations from the 30's is they are based on the very crappy lubricants of the day. They did not understand how to properly refine the oils and the life expectancy was very low. Most modern cars do not get their front bearings greased very often and 100,000 miles is not uncommon. The bearings have not changed much, but the lubricants have. The idea of putting a grease fitting on the front hub is very bad. If filled up fully it will cause the bearings to go bad quickly. Likely the biggest problem with wheel bearings is not properly loading them with grease. There are videos on how to properly hand pack them. Watch them. I have watched A guys just wipe some grease on the surface and put them on the axle.

10-05-2021, 01:12 PM	#20
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Wheel Bearing Repacking Interval Yep, I've seen fellas improperly pack bearings for decades, as well as adjusting. Greases have improved drastically over the years and so have the roads. So they don't need to be done as often. But, the inner bearing is still hanging out in the breeze.