Question re. packing wheel bearings

[adwtex]

I've repacked one of my wheel bearings and installed a new grease seal and put the wheel back on the PU, but now I'm wondering if I did everything correctly.  

I cleaned the bearings and repacked them with grease, put a light coating of grease on the cones, then reassembled the hub. My question is, do you put extra grease around the castle nut, dust cap or I noticed there is a space between the inner bearing and the grease seal, do you put grease there too or just repack the bearings and leave it at that?

Thanks in advance,
Alan

[wavery]

I've repacked one of my wheel bearings and installed a new grease seal and put the wheel back on the PU, but now I'm wondering if I did everything correctly.  

I cleaned the bearings and repacked them with grease, put a light coating of grease on the cones, then reassembled the hub. My question is, do you put extra grease around the castle nut, dust cap or I noticed there is a space between the inner bearing and the grease seal, do you put grease there too or just repack the bearings and leave it at that?

Thanks in advance,
Alan

As long as you packed the bearing itself full of grease, you're good. It doesn't hurt to put extra grease in the hub. If you put too much, it will squeeze out when you adjust the bearing. You don't need any grease on the nut. In fact, it's best (but not essential) to wipe everything clean after adjusting the nut. You can actually buy a dust cap that has a Zerk fitting on it so that you can add grease after putting the cap on.

It is also a good idea to use a new cotter key. Cotter keys have been known to break after being bent a few times. I make it a habit to have plenty of spare cotter keys in stock and replace them every time. If the cotter key falls out, the wheel will almost assuredly fall off (80% - 100% chance over time).

[adwtex]

Thanks Wavery, I did pack the bearings FULL. I was suprised how much grease they can hold and I used a new cotter pin and a new grease seal.

Re. the dust cap with a zerk, is that somethink like bearing buddies? I have always used bearing buddies on my boat trailers because of having to submerge them, but not on the PU.

BTW, I see in your signature you're a die-hard sailor. I'm signed up as crew for Transpac 2007. It's been a while since I've been sailing and I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks,
Alan