How do you re-grease hub needle bearings?

Hey I'm replacing my front wheel bearings and I noticed these needle bearings inside the hubs. I searched the FSM and couldn't find any info regarding these needle bearings. I know the needle bearings are a captive part which is only included when you order a complete hub assembly. So my assumption is that this is a part that was meant to last the lifetime of the vehicle. But while I have everything apart I was thinking about cleaning and applying new grease to the needle bearings. I feel like I should do some sort of preventive measure while it's accessible. But I'm confused how exactly to apply the grease to the needle bearings. Do I just put grease on my fingers and try to get them behind the rollers? Or do I just load up grease on the CV axle shaft where the needle bearing rides? I just don't know the proper technique for re-greasing needle bearings. So does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.

 

In days of old, when knights were bold, when front wheel bearings were removable (i.e. early 60s)...

I removed them, cleaned them with solvent, dried them, and used my fingers to pack as much WB grease as I could cram into them. I turned the bearings frequently while packing them. Messy, but it worked.

With these (your) WBs, I don't think that method would work very well 'cause when you can't remove the bearing, you can't clean and grease them sufficiently. If you suspect they are worn out, it's prolly time for a new hub assembly.

 

Why regrease when you can eliminate...
https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-1...amshell-bushingeliminates-needle-bearing.html

 

A couple of words of caution here, regardless of the method you use to replenish the grease. In general, you have to be careful not to mix different brands of grease because mixing grease with different types of thickeners may destroy the composition and physical properties of the grease. The possible difference in additives may cause a problem and defeat your desired effect for lubrication. So, if you are going to add grease, make sure you do a very thorough job of cleaning out the old grease. Carb cleaner spray and brake cleaner spray will get the job done after you have removed as much as possible. Also, if you overpack the bearing and add too much grease, you get a condition called "churning", and the temperature of the bearing will rise. That can cause the grease to soften and will result in leakage. You can probably find specs for the amount of grease to put in there by looking at bearing manufacturer's tables (Timken, NSK).

 

This is for inside the diff, OP is talking about inside the hub with manual hubs.

OP, I would just spray it down with some brake clean to wash out the old grease and dirt. Then just lather some grease in the bearing once its dry, make sure you spin the bearings to get grease all the way around the needle bearing.

 

My mistake. Didn't realize he had manual hubs.

 

No worries, most people dont realize the manual hubs have a needle bearing (I didnt when i installed mine and killed a wheel bearing because of it lol)

 

OP.
As previously stated, us old guys routinely repacked our own bearings by hand when I did my apprenticeship as a mechanic in the '60s. Those needle bearings can be deep cleaned with a USGI M16/M4 green bristle brush (or a toothbrush) and a good solvent such as Berryman carb cleaner from Autozone. It may take a while especially if you wheel in deep mud/high water as I routinely do. After a thorough cleaning, the old needle bearings were inspected then regreased in place by hand with a high drop point marine type blue EP grease. Messy but easy-peasy with today's nitrile gloves. I will probably replace them when the CV axles get upgraded next summer. ORS does sell these needle bearings ORS Replacement Inner Hub Bearing - Products - Off Road Solutions, but I will try to just match up the p/n off the bearing itself. HTH

EDIT: The OEM Inner Hub Bearing is p/n 90364-30011 and the actual bearing is marked NSK JAPAN DB503011 which crosses over to an HK3020 bearing. HTH