any one tried oil bath hubs on their 2wd?

[ForOffRoadDriving]

Its been almost a year since ive modded anything on my truck cause ive just been too busy driving it and living life, but after my latest tire rotation i noticed the wheel bearings had worn in some more and gotten loose. I know my oversized tires are partially to blame for this but after talking with my service partner who has been having the same problem with his ranger weve decided to try out oil bath hubs similar to those used on semi trailers. I ordered xl pro lubes 1980 kit (minus the trailer seals and xl oil) and i got a pair of dexter axle seals and a quart of 75w90 royal purlple max gear oil for the hubs. Im planning on replacing the bearings with new ones, installing the new seals, then putting on the xl hubs and filling them up with the RP and running my front wheels without the center caps for a few weeks so i can keep an eye on the oil level and color. Has anyone else tried this or see any potential pitfalls that i may be overlooking? As long as my spindles arent too worn from the previous seals i dont think i should have any sealing problems so im going to give it a try, worst case scenario is ill burn ip my spindles and have an excuse to upgrade to 95+ spindles and convert to twin piston calipers as a result.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

59 views and not a single response... am i breaking new ground again?

 

[projectnitemare]

I have seen them on a few trailers so I can't see why it wouldn't work on a truck. An oil filled nub should last longer and run cooler than a greased bearing. I would imagine cost is the only thing holding normal folks and vehicle builders from doing it from the start. Rigs run that setup with zero issue so i don't see a problem as long as your seals work out ok.

Matt

 

[Snoranger]

59 views and not a single response... am i breaking new ground again?

I'm subscribed, waiting to see how it works out. I've swapped a few trucks and trailers over from greased to oil bearings, never had any problems.

 

[kryptonitecb]

Never heard of it before but sounds like a good upgrade if all works out correct.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Sounds like new ground....

I'd like to hear how this all works out and if it's possible to do something similar on a 4x4.....

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

I got the oil bath hubs in the mail yesterday, $6.00 ea from easternmarine.com, i also picked up the dexter seal but quickly exchanged them for a pair of nationals after seeing that the dexters were only a single lip seal. I think ill be doing it sunday ( tomorrow) as long as chaning the inner tie rods on terras t-bird doesnt take too long. Ill take pics and post them here and in my build, stay tuned!

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

I'm subscribed, waiting to see how it works out. I've swapped a few trucks and trailers over from greased to oil bearings, never had any problems.

When you converted the trailers did you notice any difference in the way the seals were designed as far as having more than two lips in it?

 

[brinker88]

Only problem I see you having is finding a oil seal to fit your rotor and a hub cap with a fill plug in it. You're also going to run into a problem with SEALING the hub cap. It's a good idea, but really not plausible.

 

[shane96ranger]

Only problem I see you having is finding a oil seal to fit your rotor and a hub cap with a fill plug in it. You're also going to run into a problem with SEALING the hub cap. It's a good idea, but really not plausible.

And hope you don't get a flat.

Sent while I should be doing something else

 

[87rangerxlt]

And hope you don't get a flat.

Sent while I should be doing something else

?? why wound that metter

 

[Snoranger]

When you converted the trailers did you notice any difference in the way the seals were designed as far as having more than two lips in it?

(I'm talking tractor trailers, I've never really worked on small trailers, so I cant comment on them.) The oil seals usually have a flange that is installed onto the spindle, basically a wear sleeve, only thinker then most I've ever seen. They have a rubber sealing surface on both the spindle and drum sides. The drum side is usually 3-4 small ridges, I dont recall off-hand the inner surface. I usually dont even look at it, it stays on the "wear sleeve" when I install the drum/wheel assembly. (I pull the wheels and drums all assembled, it saves a LOT of time. You can do that when you have a way to lift it.)

A seal with 2 lips, generally, 1 is to seal the fluid or grease in and has a spring inside it to add tension, the other is normally facing out and is just a low tension water/dust seal.

I found a pic of the type of seal we use. (without the wear sleeve.)

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

?? why wound that metter

For a 2wd it wouldn't, for a 4wd it would greatly.

 

[shane96ranger]

Oh damn. Forgot we were talking 2WD.

Sent while I should be doing something else

 

[Ozwynn]

wow, and I was going to ask if anybody has packed their oil bath bearings on their full float sterlings with extreme pressure grease.........????????