[chevynut]

I was taught 50 some odd years ago that when you pack wheel bearings you clean them and blow them dry (with out spinning the bearing) and then repack them. Where I work now, they just wipe grease off and blow grease from bearing and then repack. Just wanted to get your take on doing it this way.

[seltec8]

I was taught like you were. Now its a time thing and it's pretty hard to inspect a bearing when its greasy.

[alkey]

after cleaning i spray them with brake clean or gum cutter to remove any of the parts cleaner before packing them

[Trophyman]

In a Detroit Allison class that I was in, some time ago, they advised us NOT to use compressed air to blow the bearings off. They just told us to clean the grease off, inspect and repack. I, too, think it's a time thing now.

[painted jester]

Originally Posted by chevynut

I was taught 50 some odd years ago that when you pack wheel bearings you clean them and blow them dry (with out spinning the bearing) and then repack them. Where I work now, they just wipe grease off and blow grease from bearing and then repack. Just wanted to get your take on doing it this way.

I learned like you its the right way! Quality and pride in a job well done way! As mentioned its a time saver now ,times money! Its funny how a few cents effects 0verall quality any more! 2000 hrs In a year, 2 min. per hr., per man,8hrs a day is $ !!!!!

How can you give it a good inspection for wear as stated earlier

Jester

[66GMC]

Whaaat?
If there is any "fun" in repacking bearings, it's in the cleaning and blowing them dry.

No, I have never "wound them right up to warp factor 7" ... always have used a bit of drag to keep the speed down.

Right or wrong, it's never caused any trouble, and bearings were always replaced if there were ANY visible defects in either the cone or the cup.

For that matter, then ... IF my car was in a shop, and if economics only allow time for a "greasy inspection", I'd just instruct them to replace them all.

The world has gotten WAY carried away with "numbers", "productivity", and "efficiency".

[S10 Racer]

Originally Posted by chevynut

I was taught 50 some odd years ago that when you pack wheel bearings you clean them and blow them dry (with out spinning the bearing) and then repack them. Where I work now, they just wipe grease off and blow grease from bearing and then repack. Just wanted to get your take on doing it this way.

My take on this is that when you buy new bearings, they are not covered with grease. You would'nt rebuild an engine or transmission without cleaning it before assembly (I never have anyways). Parts have to be clean. Just wiping the grease off will not remove the small metal particles that all moving parts aquire after a while. If these particles are not removed, it's a waste of time repacking them in my opinion. It would kind of be like changing the oil and not the filter.

[oldBodyman]

Come-backs cost 3X, bearings, races and seals are dirt cheap, just replace them. Yes, you do clean and inspect NEW parts.

[gearheadslife]

Originally Posted by S10 Racer

My take on this is that when you buy new bearings, they are not covered with grease. You would'nt rebuild an engine or transmission without cleaning it before assembly (I never have anyways). Parts have to be clean. Just wiping the grease off will not remove the small metal particles that all moving parts aquire after a while. If these particles are not removed, it's a waste of time repacking them in my opinion. It would kind of be like changing the oil and not the filter.

well, see here is the problem..
todays flatrate shops pay the same time to do todays cars, that if you haven't noticed, don't have servicable bearing.. so the "tme alloted" isn't enough time to even open it up and clean or heaven forbid, turn the rotors .. and because you have a service writers that job is more cars in per hour, you CAN'T DO IT RIGHT

do it correctly, you're replaced because your not producing
pull short cuts 1 out of 100 might come back.. so like try'n to fight city hall, you do the job to produce and keep your job..

why you think rotors get replaced and not turned anymore..?
time..

[S10 Racer]

Most new rotors cost less than the labor to turn the old ones so why not replace it, no rocket science there.

[gearheadslife]

Originally Posted by S10 Racer

Most new rotors cost less than the labor to turn the old ones so why not replace it, no rocket science there.

um, nope, rotors are not cheaper.. when your a customer thats paying someone to do the brakes.. they pay list price+mark up..

[632Mantis]

Originally Posted by gearheadslife

and because you have a service writers whose job is more cars in per hour, you CAN'T DO IT RIGHT.

Do it correctly, you're replaced because your not producing.
Pull short cuts 1 out of 100 might come back.. so like try'n to fight city hall, you do the job to produce and keep your job.
Why you think rotors get replaced and not turned anymore..?
time..

You hit the nail on the head. It's just plain old GREED.
Shop owners/dealerships/companies just want more more more.
They don't want to pay their employees, they don't want to provide ANY benefits, but they want a specific volume of business done everyday.

Too many shops today cut corners and outright CHEAT the customers.
They sell work that is not necessary, and I even know about some local shops around here that remove a part, clean it, paint it black with a spray can, put it back on, and charge the customer for a new one.

It's a greedy cutthroat business. It's become a thankless business.
I was a professional mechanic for 25 years. I walked away from it because I can't accept what it has become.
We are no longer rewarded for taking pride in our work.
We are just constantly chastised because we cannot crank enough work out to meet the ridiculous goals of greedy a$$holes.
A waiter in a crappy restaraunt gets a tip once in awhile from a customer.
Nobody ever tips their mechanic.

Engineers are designing junk, because they know they won't ever have to work on any of it.
( It's okay, the overworked underpaid mechanics can deal with it. )

[chevynut]

Thanks for the replys. I am glad that other people were taught the way I was. I too think that it is greed.

[belchfire]

Expanding on 623 mantis' reply, I've noticed that cars are designed to be assembled, not repaired. I had to pull the entire sub-frame off a camry to change a clutch because some idiot didn't design an extra 2" clearance between the trans & body. My friends agree with me that engineers should be required to spend 3-5 years as mechanics first, then ,I bet, a lot of things would be better designed.

[NEW INTERIORS]

I was taught the same way.. I also pack them the old way too..By hand..