I am trying to put new ball joints on the car, and my manual has nothing on what I am supposed to do with the wheel bearings. I asked a friend and he said try to clean off most of what's on there and then by Napa's synthetic bearing grease.

Is there DIY or things I should worry about while doing this? Is this even the right thing to do? Do I need to replace anything while doing it?

the car is an 84 300SD, RWD, and I'm dealing with the front of the car, obviously. Thanks!

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In the Garage:
'84 300SD, 85K "The Princess"
2011 BMW 328I XDrive, DD

and everything is already off of the car, and the car is on jack stands in the driveway. So, if you need pictures or whatever, piece of cake.

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In the Garage:
'84 300SD, 85K "The Princess"
2011 BMW 328I XDrive, DD

Wheel bearings are a maintenance item. Now is a good time to service them and replace the inner seal.

I use a Lisle bearing packer and synthetic high temp wheel bearing grease.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Are these things i can get at NAPA, or do i need to call up the dealer (again )

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In the Garage:
'84 300SD, 85K "The Princess"
2011 BMW 328I XDrive, DD

You can get the grease anywhere. I bought the bearing packer at Pep Boys about 15 years ago. Who ever carries Lisle products can get it for you. NAPA should be able to get everything you need.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

okay, great. Now do I need to replace that rubber seal, it seems okay to me.

UPDATE: where can i get this seal, is it a dealer part?


Also, do i need to remove all of the old grease or can i just take a (clean) rag to it and get the big stuff, then pack it with new, etc?

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In the Garage:
'84 300SD, 85K "The Princess"
2011 BMW 328I XDrive, DD

I like to clean the bearings completely. The bearing packer will push out nearly all of the old grease. If you are going to use the packer to push out the old grease, then yes, wipe off as much of the old grease that you can. Also clean out the hubs and replace the old grease with new.

Yes, you should replace the seal when servicing the bearings. It's fairly cheap. I paid $5 per seal at Auto Zone.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

So for the front i would need two new seals then, correct?

__________________
In the Garage:
'84 300SD, 85K "The Princess"
2011 BMW 328I XDrive, DD

Yes. One per side.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

can I add that there are some very good discussions on this board regarding the replacement of the races as well?

search: brian carlton, tangofox007, tcane those are just names I recall involved in the discussions.

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I was taught to replace the bearings and races together as a set. The pricing is not bad at all. Just time consuming, and can be painful if you hit the soft flesh parts with the hammer...

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

hmmm

Repacking front wheel bearings/adjustment
Repacking front wheel bearings/adjustment

I put a Front Wheel Seal in about 1 week ago; got the Seal from Auto Zone.
After you inspect the Bearings and the Bearing race if for some reason you decide to replace the set you will need to decide do you want made in China Bearings or some other coutries.
If you look for the locally you will get to see where they are made.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Thanks, all done!

Just dropped the car off, hopefully it passes inspection this time around. 1200 in parts later...

__________________
In the Garage:
'84 300SD, 85K "The Princess"
2011 BMW 328I XDrive, DD