Well, got the WDs fired up this weekend (I officially swear by using Stabil in the gas, btw), but now the winter project I never got to is staring me in the face... Installing the new front wheel bearings on the "wobbblier" one.

Also, I assume the "bearing spacer" must already be on the spindle, and I have to re-use it? As the kit comes with seven items, and I suspect that is not one of them (inner bearing and cup, outer bearing and cup, flat washer, cup washer, and seal).

Any other tips for cleaning stuff up or putting it all back together? I bought a bearing punch and a race and seal installer kit, so I hope I've got all the tools I need for this.

Also -- The best way to pack the new bearings with grease? I see it says don't pack the "center" with grease. I take it from reading the manual that the seal is supposed to go in dry, and not get greased up?

 We are here for you!

I remember some of my first work on WD or WD45 tractors as a kid helping Dad on the farm was replacing front wheel bearings! He always had one or two sets on the dash of his old Ford pickups. We ran 4 tractors betwwen 2 farms 5 mailes apart. Lots of road miles! Also much field use amounted to lots of worn wheel bearings!

Yes the inner bearing spacer should be on the shaft. But if it is not you will need to get one!

Clean up: Roll of paper towels and your favorite grease cleaner upper!:)

BTY I have no clue how you might use the bearing punch and race and seal installer?? OK maybe for the outer race insertion. Never had to use any special tools for this job other than a large crescent and a pair of side cutters. Ok tapping the old race out with a drift.

Also advise to keep weight on the tire while you loosen the outside cap with a wrench or pipe wrench.

I grease the bearings by placing a gob of new grease in my palm and pressing the bearing into the grease repeatedly until it oozes out the top of the bearing. They do make fancy dancy bearing grease thing a ma bobs too.

Yea the felt seal can go in dry.

Your going to replace the outer races that are a light press fit into the wheel hub. You of course will need to remove the old ones. Make sure the hub is in good shape in these areas. I have seen some bad ones where the outer race pocket has been worn very bad.

If good, just clean up the hub and install the new outer races.

You Got this! Old Wobbly will be good as new! Unless the problem is in the vertical shaft!:)

Regards,

 Chris

 

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Lots of good info, Sugarmaker........however the original A-C

operator's manual says "oil the seal with light oil".

 I was thinking that oiling this felt seal would not hurt as I wrote that. Thanks for confirming the correct way to install the seal. Makes sense. Probably helps keep the dirt out and it does have the hub rotating close to or on it,

Regards,

 Chris

Doug, my late brother,  Doug G., worked as a mechanic and before he passed away gave me one of those tools....I think it was a bit older as it was all made out of steel.

Sadly, I have to say I've never even tried it. I think I will now when I have the opportunity.

Thanks for reminding me!

I think my uncle had zerks in the screw on end caps.

Regards,

 Chris