Rear bearings-To replace or not to replace…. (1 Viewer)

[100SERIES02]

New to group, not new to Landcruisers. Thanks for any responses.
2002 Landcruiser. Rear rim, hub, and back of plate has thick gunk. Covers everything. I am assuming it is diff fluid that has leaked and built up with all the gravel I drive on. If the inner seal was compromised and leaked, does this compromise the bearing? Are the bearings in the rear packed with grease? I know how to replace the rear bearings, it’s just very labor intensive and if the inner seal is the only issue, would prefer that.

 

[excessive]

it is not normal for rear diff fluid to leak, the real axle seal is probably compromised. depending on how long its been going on for, it could have washed all the grease out of the rear wheel bearing.

 

[76FJ40]

Check the axle vent while you're at it.

 

[nissanh]

Usually there is a belief that the gear oil may have washed out the grease inside the bearing. If you pull the axle to replace the seal (Use OEM), you can open the grease cover on the bearing and repack. The only thing I like about the LC is their oil seals and bearings are really for life!
I replaced axle seals and bearings on a hilux, 4runner, hiace around 200K miles but LC is going strong.

 

[Malleus]

Yes, the rear bearings are grease packed. As long as they are wet with something (not water) they'll be fine. You will have the opportunity to inspect them when you replace the seals.

You should remove, clean and repack the bearings when you replace the seals, in any case.

 

[LJE]

Yes, the rear bearings are grease packed. As long as they are wet with something (not water) they'll be fine. You will have the opportunity to inspect them when you replace the seals.

You should remove, clean and repack the bearings when you replace the seals, in any case.

FWIW, the rear axle bearing is a sorta odd (at least to me) double-race ball bearing setup. There's two seperate inner races.

When I replaced one of my rear wheel bearings using the specialized puller tools from Duane on Ebay and a press (and I'd bet it took nearly all 20 tons the press is rated for) it ripped the bearing in half - one of the two inner races stayed on the axle shaft. I honestly don't think there's any way to effectively repack this bearing in-place, and removing it is likely to destroy it.

You've gotta replace the seal journal anyways on the axle, I'd just plan on replacing the bearing too. If you're anywhere near southern Indiana, I've got the tools to help!

 

[Malleus]

The rear bearing is a special automotive bearing. Not what I was referring to.

 

[LJE]

The rear bearing is a special automotive bearing. Not what I was referring to.

Yes, the rear bearings are grease packed. As long as they are wet with something (not water) they'll be fine. You will have the opportunity to inspect them when you replace the seals.

You should remove, clean and repack the bearings when you replace the seals, in any case.

Not sure what other rear bearings you'd be talking about removing/cleaning/repacking?

Not trying to nitpick at all - just making sure someone reading this in the future doesn't think they can remove & repack the rear wheel bearings.

 

[Malleus]

Not sure what other rear bearings you'd be talking about removing/cleaning/repacking?

Not trying to nitpick at all - just making sure someone reading this in the future doesn't think they can remove & repack the rear wheel bearings.

OK, that was poorly written...and I had the front bearings in mind when I mentioned regreasing them.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Rear bearings are sealed and they are a fair bit of effort to get to. We are seeing more and more of them needing replacement now that 100/470's are really climbing up there in miles and the way they are used.

We've put together a comprehensive kit that comes with all the necessary items to full overhaul:

(Part# RAK100SF - We'll have the missing parts to build a handful more kits in stock tomorrow or Monday)

 

[baltistyle]

Check the axle vent while you're at it.

On my last 100, this actually fixed the issue. When the diff heats up it needs someplace to vent the pressure or it will push the fluid out of the seal. I would clean it up and make sure the diff is filled properly and then monitor the clean surface. I have found that when the diff fluid is low it tends to make the leak worse because the fluid is not covering as much of the seal, and gets hotter. I’m not sure if this is something that is truly related, but for two trucks, it worked for me.

 

[2001LC]

Pull wheel speed sensor. If you find gear lube, in cavity. Seal failed.

Chicken or egg story.

When bearings fail, often this results in extra wear (wobble of axle) to seal.
Seal fails without bad bearings. Which often, has to do with clogged breather, and or gear lube contamination and or poor services history.
When seal fails, gear lube often gets into sealed bearings. If one caught leaking seal fast and repair. Very small change, bearing grease didn't become contaminate. All I've seen have had some gear lube in bearing grease.

You can runout bearing with dial gauge. No play, just replace seal. But likely the bearing will fail at later date. Then you'll be going back into rear axle assy again. This if paying labor, increase long term cost.