I am changing the rear wheel bearings on a friend's car and noticed the new bearings are not the same as what was on the car. The replacements only have plastic on one side. I went ahead and pressed them on, with the open end in. I am worried that the bearings will not get enough lube, or that dirt will get in and contaminate them. Pic attached.

Has anyone else encountered this type of bearings? Should I slather some grease on them before I put the axel in, and if so how much and what type? Thanks.

 

I don't think you need to worry about dirt because you're on the inboard side of the axle tube and that is effectively sealed from road dirt.
It looks a bit short of grease for whatever reason. I've never seen a greaseless bearing before, but in this age of miracles it's always possible. Check with supplier or if not possible, and since the normal bearing is greased up I assume it will be OK to put some more on, working it well into the race. On the outside don't have too much surplus grease in case it pushes out into the brake area.
Finally use a good Lithium based wheel bearing grease.

 

Looks to me like a manufacturing defect.

 

The bearing on the axle is outside of the oil seal on the rear end, so it will get no lube from the diff oil. On some bearing types (like in the tranny) the black plastic seals are leaky barriers, and oil transfers through. But on the rear axle the outside seal must be a tight seal, or it would leak on the brakes. So I assume the inside one is the same, and these are a permanently sealed, factory lubricated bearing. (Plus one never finds bearing lub on hte iinside when you take it apart.) If you do not grease it and it is not already lubricated it is certain it will fail. The oil seal on the inside will trap the grease and should keep it on the bearing, so greasing it should work. But, I tend to agree with the above post that this seems to be a manufacturing defect. It is possible the manufacturer has created a repackable rear bearing, whereas the normal sealed ones are not. But I would expect that would be a bit of information they would tell you when you bought it.

 

i had two like this a few years ago, got the wrong part number# bearing in the right p# box. take them back, they aren't going to last long with no seal.

isaac

 

So no one has used this bearing before? If I take them off it will destroy the retainers, and possibly the bearings themselves. So it is a dilemma whether I start over...

I don't have any experience with non-sealed bearings but isn't that the way all bearings were at some point in the past? What if I fill them up with grease and install them, how long would they last?

 

In the old days there were alot with that type of bearing design. Although most manufactures now usually have the bearing already greased and sealed on both sides.

The seal will allow gear oil to get to the bearing and lubricate it. If you view the factory service manual you will see in the illustration that the bearing is open and not sealed on the side where it goes into the housing of the rear end.

To verify the design call the parts place where you bought the bearing. They will either give you the number of the tech department for that manufacture or contact them for you. I would contact them yourself so that your mind is put at ease. :-)

 

Yes what a dilemma. They're pressed on the shafts now but you don't want to have to strip it all down again if they fail in the near future.
I've just pulled my 1953 lube chart for my old Hillman (UK company bought by Rootes, then bought by you guys - Chrysler). It says to dismantle, clean out and repack front wheel bearings every 6000 miles. Rear bearings were on a grease line but again you were to grease every 6000 miles.
So, allowing for better materials and perhaps a whiff of oil from the diff, my wild guess is 15000 to 20000 miles.
Better to get proper ones now??
If you do keep them I'd certainly grease them up now it seems there's a problem with them.

 

Your information does not apply to these cars. You don't pack rear axle bearings or go back in to service them. They are either already greased and sealed or lubed by the gear oil in the rear end.

 

Sorry mate, I know all that. With respect please read the full post to see why the information has been asked for.

 

I understand why you answered but it does not pertain to our cars.

The reason I responded with your quote is because this is the tech section and the information posted in relation to a question here should pertain to our specific vehicle.

Since it does not and the answering of the question is giving inaccurate information regarding our vehicles it needs to be stated.

 

all the images i see of a large or small axle are of a sealed bearing.

 

Gavin, what reference material are you looking at?