Wheel bearing grease

[Breeang]

Having finally got my rear hub and bearing out (big hammer, big socket and big swear words), I was wondering about grease for the new bearing, what type, and should I pack it before I insert it into the hub or after ?.I have a mechanic friend (non-Porsche) who suggested using a heavy engine oil instead of grease.Has anyone else heard of this?.I'm sticking to grease though.

[IROC]

You don't have to pack the rear bearing. It's a sealed unit.

Mike

[Zeke]

You might be confused about packing the bearing vs. using a lube to get the new rascal in. A light oil will aid the installation. Otherwise, what he said.

Have you discovered the all thread and big washer trick? Do not hit the new bearing with a hammer!

[Breeang]

Egad!,a sealed unit !,now that I have looked at the new bearing I can see it would be fairly difficult to get anything into the race.
What is the allthread and big washer trick and where do you get this allthread from?. Any easy-making tips are appreciated.

[Zeke]

It might be explained in the tech articles. Don't forget to look in the 914 articles when searching.

Allthread is just what it sounds like, a long rod threaded all the way. It comes in 3' lengths at Home Defect and hardware stores. Get some 1/2" and some nuts and washers big enough to not slip thru the center of the bearing. Start the bearing in the arm and put the rod thru backing it up with a nut and washer(s). Put something big enough on the outside to run the nut up against and simply tighten the nut on the outside to pull the bearing into the arm.

Note: You cannot pull the bearing in by having the washer on the inside just on the inner race. It can pull the bearing apart. You have to have at least one washer or big ass socket almost the size of the outside diameter of the bearing.

I remember a ton on info on the 914 BBS on this subject. If I haven't been clear enough, search over there.

[Todd Simpson]

Here's one from another site. The bearings are easy to ruin until installed so spend the time on research/preparation. Lots of good info in the archives as well.

http://vista.pca.org/sch/tech_articles/rear_bearing_911/911_wheel_bearing.htm