The Ford Barn

old31 · 03-01-2026, 12:34 PM

I have always packed bearings by hand.

Are there any advantages to a bearing packer?

https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-27...s%2C168&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...4505EPYW&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...W6LYJS8K&psc=1

Kurt in NJ · 03-01-2026, 12:43 PM

It’s quicker,you just get greas on your fingertips picking the bearings out of the packer.
— the negative— if the grease is thick and cold it takes a lot of force pushing
If you lend it out most likely it will come back with dirt in it— I always kept 2 in my toolbox— a dirty one to lend out and one only I used.
the bearings have to be already cleaned properly.

cadillac512 · 03-01-2026, 12:43 PM

Not much other than keeping your hands a bit cleaner. By the time the packer is wiped off and put up and you've handled the bearings it's not a lot different. A pair of disposable gloves is the best bet for me.

P.S. · 03-01-2026, 01:37 PM

I've tried those. Like Kurt mentions, they inevitably end up with dirt or debris in them, and you don't want that in your bearings.

I prefer the old fashion way for many reasons- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIWMJ4RxqF8

This one has my wife cleaning and then packing bearings- https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=i3YU7PAjf1Y

nkaminar · 03-01-2026, 07:00 PM

When i was a kid, many centuries ago, I would melt the grease in a metal pan over a hot plate, put the bearing in, and then let it cool. The bearings were solid packed. Beware: hot grease is flammable. An old tin can worked well, depending on the size of the bearing and the size of the tin can.

Randall · 03-02-2026, 12:08 PM

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I like my brg packer and when done I put it in a Walmart bag to keep it clean https://youtu.be/hS__pb4PmPk?si=OdejZNAfZX9PeQkv

whirnot · 03-04-2026, 07:50 PM

My Bearing packer is self contained, when done with it, I put the lid on, wipe it off and put it away. Does a quick and easy job, much easier.

JayJay · 03-05-2026, 10:47 PM

I likewise use a bearing packer, and put it in a gallon ziplock bag between uses. I like that I can see the new grease displacing the old grease around the rollers as I push down. On the other hand, if you're comfortable packing the "old school" way by hand, by all means continue doing so. Nothing wrong with it, we got by a lot of years doing it that way before bearing packers came on the scene (I think I've only had mine the last 15 years or so).

katy · 03-06-2026, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJay

I like that I can see the new grease displacing the old grease around the rollers as I push down.

I wash (and dry) the bearings clean before repacking them. so no old grease to watch for.

03-01-2026, 12:34 PM	#1
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,686	packing bearings I have always packed bearings by hand. Are there any advantages to a bearing packer? https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-27...s%2C168&sr=8-9 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...4505EPYW&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...W6LYJS8K&psc=1

03-01-2026, 12:43 PM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,672	Re: packing bearings It’s quicker,you just get greas on your fingertips picking the bearings out of the packer. — the negative— if the grease is thick and cold it takes a lot of force pushing If you lend it out most likely it will come back with dirt in it— I always kept 2 in my toolbox— a dirty one to lend out and one only I used. the bearings have to be already cleaned properly.

03-01-2026, 12:43 PM	#3
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,229	Re: packing bearings Not much other than keeping your hands a bit cleaner. By the time the packer is wiped off and put up and you've handled the bearings it's not a lot different. A pair of disposable gloves is the best bet for me. __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '30 Model A Speedster '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

03-01-2026, 01:37 PM	#4
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hazzard County Posts: 2,165	Re: packing bearings I've tried those. Like Kurt mentions, they inevitably end up with dirt or debris in them, and you don't want that in your bearings. I prefer the old fashion way for many reasons- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIWMJ4RxqF8 This one has my wife cleaning and then packing bearings- https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=i3YU7PAjf1Y __________________ 2024-2026 MAFCA Technical Director

03-01-2026, 07:00 PM	#5
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,847	Re: packing bearings When i was a kid, many centuries ago, I would melt the grease in a metal pan over a hot plate, put the bearing in, and then let it cool. The bearings were solid packed. Beware: hot grease is flammable. An old tin can worked well, depending on the size of the bearing and the size of the tin can. __________________ 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.

03-02-2026, 12:08 PM	#6
Randall Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lambsburg Va Posts: 373	Re: packing bearings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I like my brg packer and when done I put it in a Walmart bag to keep it clean https://youtu.be/hS__pb4PmPk?si=OdejZNAfZX9PeQkv

03-04-2026, 07:50 PM	#7
whirnot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bend Or. Posts: 1,089	Re: packing bearings My Bearing packer is self contained, when done with it, I put the lid on, wipe it off and put it away. Does a quick and easy job, much easier. __________________ Bill Worden 1929 Roadster 1929 Briggs Town Sedan 1930 Closed Cab pickup 1931 Coupe 2 Smith Motor Compressors 1951 Ford F1 High Desert Model A's

03-05-2026, 10:47 PM	#8
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,670	Re: packing bearings I likewise use a bearing packer, and put it in a gallon ziplock bag between uses. I like that I can see the new grease displacing the old grease around the rollers as I push down. On the other hand, if you're comfortable packing the "old school" way by hand, by all means continue doing so. Nothing wrong with it, we got by a lot of years doing it that way before bearing packers came on the scene (I think I've only had mine the last 15 years or so). __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan (under reconstruction) 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan It isn't a defect, it's a feature!