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Wheel grease question

16 years ago

My Craftsman LT 3000 has a grease zerk for the front wheel bearing and one for the wheel spindle. It's easy to see how much grease to use on the bearing, as it extrudes out when full (I think). That doesn't seem to be the case with the spindle zerk. How will I know if I have enough grease in that one?

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Comments (7)

rustyj14
16 years ago
I usually give those fittings about 4-5 pumps into each one, with the standard large hand operated grease gun.
Altho for the first time, i give it some more pumps, because ya don't know how much, if any, the factory put in it.
I use the regular type automotive chassis grease for the job.
adster
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the reply. Am I right about the bearing one oozing grease and the spindle one not?
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wheelhorse_of_course
16 years ago
By spindle do you mean where it meets inserts into the cross beam - that should protrude grease (be sure to wipe it off).

With shielded or sealed bearings you need to be careful as the excess grease can damage the shield.

Good luck
machiem
16 years ago
If you're trying to fill a spindle cavity, it could take almost a whole tube of grease to get it to start oozing out.
adster
Original Author
16 years ago
wheelhorse....the bearing that is closest to the actual wheel (just centered inside the tire) has a round cylindrical fitting that an angled zerk protrudes from. There is a circular blob of old grease coming out of that bearing. I assume this is extruded grease from the first greasing at the factory. It is dry and dirty. I will wipe the old grease (and zerk) and gently apply new grease. The only question is do I just squirt 2-3 pulls of grease or do I keep it up until I see grease extruded out around the bearing? As a newbie I'm not sure of which to do. I certainly don't want to do more harm than good.
rustyj14
16 years ago
I don't think i have ever heard of something failing from too much chassis grease. Too much engine oil, or an over-filled transmission, but not chassis grease. When it is full of grease, it will probably ooze out!
If you don't think the things are getting enough grease-then take them apart, stuff the cavities full of grease, and put it all back together!
Automobile wheel bearings, to wit, turn at high speeds. Tractor bearings don't turn fast enough to heat up if not enough grease. So, squirt a bunch in there, and try it. If you see smoke coming out of the bearing, you didn't stuff enough in it.
now, last month, i had to replace both spindle assemblies on a Craftsman tractor, because nobody ever greased them and they wore half-way thru the axle shafts and the vertical parts, too. When i jacked it up, i thought the wheels were going to fall off by themselves!
slkpk
16 years ago
One should always jack up the front axle off the ground to get the weight off of it before greasing. This allows the grease to get to where it's needed. slkpk

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