My wheel bearing appeared to be loose, so I tightened the nut a little and spun the tire. It made some noise, so I thought I should replace the bearings. I've never done this before, is it hard to do?
Jim

Not hard but messy.

There are tools to pack them for you but I put a wad of grease in my palm and press the bearing into the grease so that it forces the grease between the rollers. Repeat around the whole bearing until the grease oozes out from between every roller.

Pack some grease in the hub & cap then install the bearings and a new seal.

The adjustment changed over the years but Tighten the nut while rotating the hub so you seat the bearings.

Then back off the specified amount.

Thanks Nick,
Is there a trick to get the inside bearing out of the drum?
Jim

Yeah you pull the outer bearing.Then put the nut back on the spindle.and angle the drum or rotor as you pull it over the nut.The inner bearing and seal will pop out and stay on the spindle.If they were making noise you probally need bearings and races.The races have to be pounded out.They are a light press fit.Rocky

the hub will have 2 notches on the inside of the hub that a drift pin will be able to catch the race and be drivin out

I use a greese needle to greese mine when I have it off but not going to replace them.

I do new ones the same way and drop them in and drive the seal in,the out side bearing I stick in there and greese with the needle and turn it,then the washer and nut goes on and torque it down while spinning it

you can use a sandwich bag to put the greese in instead of ya hand and do the same thing...just not as messy,and ya can get it in there real good

have fun and get plenty of rags and gojo

You need to drift the races out with a punch. Highly advisable to use a brass punch although many a steel one has done the job. Press or pound the new races home, pack the new bearings, and make the adjustment. Easy.

Thanks!
So far, I've driven the races out of the drum and packed the new bearings. I need to clean everything up good, but what should I use?
Then I just put in the inner bearings and tap the race in? Then slide on the drum and replace the outer bearings with the seal and nut?
Thanks again,
Jim

You need a race driver to properly drive in the races. They can be had pretty cheap or borrow one from a Parts Store.

You have to drive it in fully and if you use the bearing to do it you may damage the race or bearing.

They're already out, I was planning on tapping in the new races with the old ones and a piece of wood. I need to know what I should be cleaning everything with.
Jim

Make sure to drive the races in to the lip that is the stop for them. Also tighten the nut till the bearing pre-load just starts to slow the wheel, then back off a till the wheels spins freely and put the castle washer and cotter key in. Be generous with the grease. Most first timers don't get the grease packed into the rollers good. Make sure that it is packed completely through the roller and squeezing out the other end and between the rollers and cage.

Wipe major grease off with towels and clean up with degreaser or Carb/Brake cleaner.

I use gas but it is stupid and dangerous to do it that way. But I never said I was too bright.

I meant cleaning the stuff for fresh grease. I shoulda been clearer. My Bad.

Like he said everything goes back in coated with grease and a large amount smeared into the hub cavity. I never filled the cavity for fear the pressure from the spinning grease would cause the seal to leak but I make sure they is plenty of grease to flow into both of the bearings as the wheel spins.

Thanks for all your help?
It wasn't hard, but it was messy. The wheels spin a lot easier and the play is gone. There is a slight noise at one spot as it spins, but I think it's either the drum or the brake pads. I'll be switching to front disc brakes in the future, look for more questions then.
Thanks Again,
Jim