repack front bearings....

[1974dodgecharger]

I plan to tackle the bearings and since the car is so old is it best to just buy new bearings instead of cleaning the old ones and reuse them?

I saw some on summit I think a complete front set for 30 bucks or so.

[fy469rtse]

Are they worn out, ? Are they making noise indicating they have gone bad, if not re pack with new grease check the grease seal if bad replace , tighten and re check as outplayed in factory service manual, ? Got one? If not get one,
If I remember tighten turn disc or wheel several revolutions and re check , take car for a quick spin , recheck , if you find them loose  readjust and repeat the process until they have seated in ,
Some times it's better just to service some parts and leave them installed, don't replace just for the sake of doing so,
Not sure the modern new ones are as good in quality,

[1974dodgecharger]

I just checked my driver front Im able to slightly wiggle the wheel a tad vs other side is stiff, packed bearing needed?

[RallyeMike]

The amount of grease has nothing to do with wobble felt by shaking the tire. You need to take it apart and look at it. No parts are needed if the seals and bearing look good - just grease.

It's the first thing that should be done on any drum brake car that you buy before putting any significant miles on it.

[1974dodgecharger]

Ill take her down then this week.  Just having her down means i don't get to enjoy her i out 400 plus miles on her this past week.  Took her work also and cruised each evening.....

[RallyeMike]

  It an hour job!  

Have fun.

[JB400]

It an hour job! 

Have fun.

Supposed to be

[1974dodgecharger]

It an hour job!  

Have fun.

I have 4 kids in my days off so that hour spreads to 2 weeks lol.   Believe it or not i might get one lug nut off and the baby is crying so that takes a couple hours then come back for one more lug then again, and again lol. 

How else does a brake job take me 2 weeks among other things.....

[Paul G]

If a wheel has wobble go over the entire steering and suspension firdt. There could be more worn parts than just the wheel bearings.  Ball joints, tie rods, idler arms, etc. Cleaning and repacking the bearings is pretty easy. Replacing them is a little tough because the inner race has to be replaced as well, they need to be pressed out.

Have you considered coming to a tech session at Dave's house? He has all the tools, you just need to bring the replacement parts. There are usually people there that will help you through the repair. Just be aware that your car has to come apart and go back together in one day. It is a pretty intense day.     

[1974dodgecharger]

If a wheel has wobble go over the entire steering and suspension firdt. There could be more worn parts than just the wheel bearings.  Ball joints, tie rods, idler arms, etc. Cleaning and repacking the bearings is pretty easy. Replacing them is a little tough because the inner race has to be replaced as well, they need to be pressed out.

Have you considered coming to a tech session at Dave's house? He has all the tools, you just need to bring the replacement parts. There are usually people there that will help you through the repair. Just be aware that your car has to come apart and go back together in one day. It is a pretty intense day.     

thx paul for that info, I missed the last meeting cause I had all 4 of my bambinos that day didnt want to bring a 2.5 year to the meeting even though he does the old classic cars.  He knows a muscle car vs a regular car he will point to a muscle car and say, 'vroom, vroom, vroom', but others he wont say nothing    Need to make the next one since im sure you guys will be talking about Vegas since I plan to the drive out there with the charger.

[69_XS29L]

Bearing slop is checked by grabbing the wheel top to bottom to move it. Use just enough force to move the weight of the wheel. This eliminates feeling steering slop which is picked up moving the wheel side to side. If the jack is under the control arm the ball joints are loaded and you wont feel anything from them. With the weight off the wheel use a pry bar under the wheel to lift it straight up, feel and visually inspect the ball joints for wear. This separates ball joint wear from bearing wear.
If I have to warranty the work, or it's my vehicle, then the seal gets replaced if the wheel hub comes off, no two ways about it.
Inspect the bearing and race for pitting, spalling or brinnelling, ( tiny flat spots ), or dark discoloration. Some slight discoloration is not desirable, but fairly normal. If it looks okay, clean and reuse it. Some of the old guys would tell you to wash the solvent from the bearing with hot, soapy water before drying it for packing.
Bearing races can be driven out and reseated with a 1/4 dia. straight punch and a well dressed brass drift, if you are careful. We also used a socket of appropriate diameter and brass hammer to do the same thing.
There's no seating of bearings, they are adjusted or they are not. An old mechanic taught me to snug the bearing nut up with a wrench to drive the excess grease out, then back the nut off a bit. I would then turn the wheel slowly with one hand and use my fingers to snug the nut up with the other hand. When I felt the slight increase in drag, then I would back the nut off just a hair. You will find this is the point at which the slight vertical play that can be felt rocking the wheel top to bottom just disappears.
Fudge the sheet metal castle nut around until the hairpin lines up, without much further loosening. Give the wheel a good spin and check it. If good, button it up.

[Steve P.]

AGREED^^^^ Exactly correct. But if it takes you 2 weeks do do brakes and you have to change the bearings, get a babysitter!!

[375instroke]

Clean and repack, last another 40 years.  Replace with $30 Chinese junk, last a year.  If the races and rollers look polished and smooth, why replace?