How to clean a wheel bearing?

[audi]

So I was replacing one of the two front rotors on my 86 Carrera, and as I was unbolting the hub from the rotor, the outside tapered bearing fell out onto the dusty floor.

Does this mean I'm doomed to have to replace the thing, or is it possible to clean and repack it (and how/what do I do that and what with)?

First timer, sorry for a potentially dumb question, but a quick search didn't produce the result I was looking for and I'm scheduled to go on a rally in 2 days time so time is of the essence...

TIA

[Scott Douglas]

All is not lost. Clean it with solvent and get all the old grease/dirt out of it. Once dry, repack it with grease suitable for disc brakes.
What ever you do, don't use an air gun to run the bearing on your finger. The unrestrained rollers can come flying out like .22 rifle bullets.
This is not a clean job, but you'll find working with fresh grease a rewarding experience.

[audi]

Solvent like lacquer thinner? I was hoping all was not lost but wanted to double check.

[tharbert]

A couple things come to mind...

Do not reuse the grease seal. Get a new one.

You should probably repack both bearings while you're in there.

Clean up the bearing with mineral spirits and a non-metallic soft bristled brush.

You don't need some special tool to repack. Latex gloves are helpful here. Get a glob of wheel axle grease in the palm of your hand. Press the wide end of the caged rollers into the grease, forcing grease up into the cage between the rollers. Repeatedly press the wide end into the grease until it oozes out the small end of the cage. Rotate a little and repeat. The goal is to fill the cage with grease between all the rollers.

Clean out any excess old grease from the hub.

10 minute job, tops!

[BK911]

I use those spray cans of carb cleaner.

[Bob Kontak]

When clean and dry place grease in the palm of one hand and mash part of the perimeter of the race into the blob's edge and grease will squish out around the rollers after you mash it several times. Rotate the bearing a bit and repeat.

Oops - timing overlap. Same thing stated above.

[pete3799]

Clean and re-pack

[Sunroof]

I dunk mine for a good soaking in good old gasoline followed by compressed air. Follow the video on repacking but do yourself a favor..................go buy some latex gloves before repacking to protect your hands (especially fingernails). Bearing grease is real tenacious stuff.

Once you clean and repack a bearing and find your car is rolling just fine you quickly realize just how simple it really is and it will be much easier the next time.

Bob
73.5T

[audi]

Thanks for the replies, guys, I'm sure I'll be on the road again in no time.

Originally Posted by tharbert

A couple things come to mind...

Do not reuse the grease seal. Get a new one.

Is this a part I can pick up at the FLAPS, and if not, should I be OK on the old seal through the weekend? With the rally in 2 days I don't have time to get a Pelican package without spending an arm and a leg...

Honestly, I had planned on doing all 4 bearings anyway soon, just not quite now.

Thoughts?

TIA

[tharbert]

They had it in stock at my FLAPS. Seems it fits several other makes/models, kinda like the bearings. IIRC, the seal was $7. Yes, it's probably fine in the short term...