Axle Grease

[Olywadan]

In the middle of flipping the hubs. Done a lot of searching and following the step by step guides. Pulled the hubs and found this. In the other pictures everyone's axle looks nice and clean with the lube on it.

Just wondering if this is normal and I can put the hubs back on or if I need to do something? ie clean off the gunk, re grease, etc?

 

[DieselBob]

If it was mine I would thoroughly clean the hubs and bearings and repack. I can't ever say I have seen a grease like that before but I haven't seen it all yet either.

 

[cattlerepairman]

Military mechanics would often put excessive grease into the hubs ("empty" space between the front and back wheel bearings). The thinking was that if you had to clean and re-pack your bearings in the field, as an emergency measure after prolonged fording or mud-baths, you'd have a ready supply of fresh(-ish) grease at hand.

If you are not at war, this is not necessary; just clean everything up, ensure that the bearings are well greased and you are good. The extra grease does not do much good.

 

[SMOKEWAGON66]

Ive seen the hubs covered like that before. Not with whatever grease that is though....I dont think it would hurt anything but better safe then sorry right? lol.

I dig the dirty cobwebs you got there between your shoes. Adds character lol.

 

[Olywadan]

Took the hubs off and spiders ran all over the place, scared the crap out of me. Can't imagine the spiders are that prosperous in there.

I was wondering why the excessive amount of grease was in the empty space between the bearings. Makes sense now. Just got back from the store with some grease. Thanks for all the responses.

 

[DieselBob]

Took the hubs off and spiders ran all over the place, scared the crap out of me. Can't imagine the spiders are that prosperous in there.

I hadn't driven my pickup in a few weeks and went to drive it and low and behold a spider had managed to get in behind the glass on the pyrometer and build a small web on the gauge face and then went legs up. I guess they will try anywhere