Green Bearing Question

[dart4forte]

I’m currently running green bearings on a 8.75 rear.The other day I noticed a little splash of gear oil on the inside of the driver side tire. Haven’t pulled the axle yet so my question is can the bearing be cleaned with solvent and if so can it be re-packed? I’m thinking the rubber o-ring is leaking. Anyone know the size of the o-trying?

 

[toolmanmike]

I’m currently running green bearings on a 8.75 rear.The other day I noticed a little splash of gear oil on the inside of the driver side tire. Haven’t pulled the axle yet so my question is can the bearing be cleaned with solvent and if so can it be re-packed? I’m thinking the rubber o-ring is leaking. Anyone know the size of the o-trying?

As far as I know they are a sealed bearing.

 

[Black_Sheep]

As far as I know they are a sealed bearing.

There is an o-ring around the circumference of the bearing.

 

[Doorkicker]

I’m currently running green bearings on a 8.75 rear.The other day I noticed a little splash of gear oil on the inside of the driver side tire. Haven’t pulled the axle yet so my question is can the bearing be cleaned with solvent and if so can it be re-packed? I’m thinking the rubber o-ring is leaking. Anyone know the size of the o-trying?

They're sealed. It's far more likely the axel seal (behind the bearing) is leaking.

 

[Kern Dog]

For all of the warnings about the catastrophic failures that will occur with these things, I have yet to see any on my cars.
Now, I only had them put on a set of axles because it was done before I learned of the potential for failure BUT they haven't failed yet. I've put 3000+ miles of road trips on a set with no problems but when they start to go bad, I will return to the stock Tapered Timken design.

 

[dart4forte]

They're sealed. It's far more likely the axel seal (behind the bearing) is leaking.

So if the bearing is sealed there’s no chance of the bearing being washed out with gear oil?

 

[RemCharger]

So if the bearing is sealed there’s no chance of the bearing being washed out with gear oil?

You'd hope. Unless the seal failed.

 

[dart4forte]

For all of the warnings about the catastrophic failures that will occur with these things, I have yet to see any on my cars.
Now, I only had them put on a set of axles because it was done before I learned of the potential for failure BUT they haven't failed yet. I've put 3000+ miles of road trips on a set with no problems but when they start to go bad, I will return to the stock Tapered Timken design.

Same here, been using them for years. However, those people that are road racing or auto crossing it’s recommended not to use them. Has something to do with the lateral stress on the bearing.

 

[Doorkicker]

So if the bearing is sealed there’s no chance of the bearing being washed out with gear oil?

Unlikely, unless the bearing has failed and the seal is broken. However, there are only a few ball bearings in that bearing, so when the seal fails - which is part of how the balls stay in place - the bearing gets pretty loud. In other words, when green bearings fail (in my experience) they fail fast. I put green bearings in all my cars, so I'm not downing on them.

One more thing... there is the seal and then there is the o-ring, which is just to catch the little that might slip past the axel seal.

 

[dart4forte]

Unlikely, unless the bearing has failed and the seal is broken. However, there are only a few ball bearings in that bearing, so when the seal fails - which is part of how the balls stay in place - the bearing gets pretty loud. In other words, when green bearings fail (in my experience) they fail fast. I put green bearings in all my cars, so I'm not downing on them.

One more thing... there is the seal and then there is the o-ring, which is just to catch the little that might slip past the axel seal.

View attachment 1942758

That’s what I thought

 

[Jerry Hall]

The only reason I have ever used green bearings is on a 4 wheel disk application. Tapered bearings on rear wheel disk applications sometimes causes some rear brake noise because of the very slight movement of the rear axles.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Unlikely, unless the bearing has failed and the seal is broken. However, there are only a few ball bearings in that bearing, so when the seal fails - which is part of how the balls stay in place - the bearing gets pretty loud. In other words, when green bearings fail (in my experience) they fail fast. I put green bearings in all my cars, so I'm not downing on them.

One more thing... there is the seal and then there is the o-ring, which is just to catch the little that might slip past the axel seal.

View attachment 1942758

The whole bearing and axle is held in by that snap ring on the green bearing?

 

[R/T Boy 67]

Yes. ^^^^^^⁸

 

[matthon]

Some don't put in the inner seal when switching to green bearings, relying on the tiny o-ring.
No idea if the o-ring is reliable or not, but I put some grease on them and always install a new inner seal for some insurance.