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Removing Rear Hub on BJ8

After consulting a few folks locally who seem to have an understanding about this particular issue (ie.- grease mixing with gear oil), driving the car for a few hundred miles and then changing the gear oil would be acceptable, instead of taking everything apart and cleaning.

Again, it doesn't matter to me. When I saw the new bearings arrive fully greased and no further info was provided, I'd figure I keep everything status quo.

I would be interested in learning from the community if there is any harm in the proposed idea above, or if I should just leave well enough alone, or if there is something else I need to do.

I would be willing to take everything apart if it is really necessary.

Thank you for any forthcoming advice.

Paul
 
I may be a bit of a rough diamond here, with my cavalier attitude, but I would just go for it and not even change the hypoid later.

For the life of me I can not see what harm can be done by combining the grease and the heavy oil.

:cheers:

Bob
 
Thanks Bob,

Feeling a bit relieved. I used 80W90 gear oil and after learning that using as thick as 140 or more is okay, I tend to think a little grease wouldn't hurt or maybe bring my 80W90 to 80.5W90.5 or thicker? For now, anyway.

Thanks.

Paul
 
I pack dry hub bearings with grease because otherwise until the diff oil is splashed out to it by action of the ring and pinion the bearing would be running dry.
 
Yep Michael,

I thought about that, too. Even if I were to soak the bearings in geal oil and then install, the thought of how long before the rest of the gear oil made it or because of other unknown conditions (which could be the fault of the person no other than...me!).

I still like the idea of just draining the gear oil after say, 500 miles of driving and leave everything else alone. I don't see that hurting anything.

Thanks!

Paul
 
At this point I can't quite figure out what work you have and have not done. It sounds like you pulled one or more of the hubs apart and replaced the bearings with new, correct?

You did note in an earlier post that one of the hubs came off the stub axle quite easily and you also said something about "radial" leaks on the face of one or both of the tires. These are both signs that the lip seal that rides on the machined surface of the axle housing stub are leaking, probably due to some scoring, corrosion, etc.

The fairly simple fix for this condition is to install new redi-sleeves over the ends of the axle stubs--the seals cost about $50.00 and once you get the technique down it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. I have found that after installing a new sleeve it takes a bit of efforting on the Big Nut to get the hub fully seated. And while you have everything apart you may as well install new lip seals.

BTW can anyone name a trait shared by Healey drivers and walruses?
 
Mike,

I have redone both sides relating to the rear wheel hubs, insofar as removal and replacing the lock washers, lock nuts, plus removal, cleaning and repacking the existing bearings (new ones I've decided to keep as spares for future), pressed out and pressed in two new studs on the driver side, installing new gaskets on the outer hubs and adding new gear oil as needed.

Yes, the driver side bearings came out easy, but not to suggest they just fell out, compared to the passenger side where a puller was necessary.

I have driven the car about a couple of hundred miles now. No further signs of leakage or other abnormalities, so I am hopeful my woes are over with.

I still will want to drain the gear oil from the differential and provide fresh. Again, I see no harm in that, do you?

Anyway, more hub issues as posted.

("What's with all the hub...bub?"). Sorry, I couldn't resist quoting that from an old cartoon involving a rabbit and a gremlin, who tries to cause havoc on WW2 planes, but somehow runs out of 'gas'.

Paul

PS. Your answer to the Healey drivers and Walruses wouldn't have something to do with "Seals", would it?
 
Paul--

Yeah, originally the setup question was "What do Walruses and Tupperware have in common" but I thought I might adapt it to the present situation, the answer being "They both prefer a tight seal".
 
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