cleaning wheel bearings

[xkotyx]

do you guys soak your wheel bearing in anything to get all the old grease out before repacking them?? just wondering..

i wiped mine real good, and shot some brake cleaner to get in all the nooks and crannys. i was just kinda curious as to what some of you guys do....

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I use a small bin with diesel fuel in it and just swill them around and turn them and then grab a cheap toothbrush and scrub them. works great, isn't too expensive and you can throw it in your older diesel afterwards depending on how clean it is lol

 

[robertc1024]

I just use regular gas from the 5 gallon lawn mower supply - and the toothbrush also.

 

[xkotyx]

yeah, any gas makes a good cleaner/degreaser. hadnt thought about that for the bearings though

 

[99RangerKrazy]

I just buy new bearings.

 

[kcm1582]

I usually use the parts washer when I'm at work, but around the house I soak bearings in gas then finish them with brake clean.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Yep, gasonline works wonders for cleaning metal parts. I use gasoline to clean my motorcycle chain and then spary on the correct lube.

 

[jhammel85]

I don't normally do it since once I take them out, they've been disturbed. To be on the safe side, I usually buy new bearings.

 

[farmer]

I just wipe off excess and start repacking... maybe I will go clean and repack them again soon..

 

[feellnfroggy]

Everyone I talked to said mixing old and new grease isnt a big problem. Kerosene or diesel is enough to get the gunk out then just repack them. I learned not to grease too much though and dont get it on the axle threads. THe lock nuts will continuously back off.

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

I just use regular gas from the 5 gallon lawn mower supply - and the toothbrush also.

NO. NEVER use gasoline - all you need is an accidental spark...

Mineral Spirits and a soft bristle brush. DO NOT spin them dry using compressed air - if you must, blow air through them but hold them still to keep from spinning.

 

[heptofite]

NO. NEVER use gasoline - all you need is an accidental spark...

Mineral Spirits and a soft bristle brush. DO NOT spin them dry using compressed air - if you must, blow air through them but hold them still to keep from spinning.

because mineral spirits isn't flammable at all, right?

 

[rickf92592]

because mineral spirits isn't flammable at all, right?

It is less volatile like diesel.
But yes, smoking is discouraged.

 

[Jason]

It is less volatile like diesel.
But yes, smoking is discouraged.

Not by much though. Flammable liquids are marked with a UN number for hazmat transport and MSDS. The lower the number, the more volatile it is. Lower flash points, ect ect.

Gasoline is UN1203.
mineral spirits (solvent naphtha) is UN1268.

For comparison, denatured alcohol (ethanol) is UN1987.

Gas and mineral spirits, for the purposes of working with them, are the same. Both will combust from the same typical ignition sources in a garage.

source: 2010 Emergency Response Guidebook, USDOT.

 

[adsm08]

If I'm at work I might use the solvent tank and brush. If I'm at home, I just wipe them and then pack and go.