Oil bath hubs

[RandyT]

I use bentonite grease in mower tranny, and it is clay based, and will destroy needle bearings if they get contaminated with it. it tends to be rather thick with very little to no flowability, unless it comes in other viscosity levels than what I use.

 

[Dingeryote]

The air space is to allow for expansion of the fluid as it warms.

No room to expand, means it can't expand without becoming pressurized and leaking past seals, and onto important bits..like pads, and rotors.
Worse, once it forces a way out through a weak spot in a seal, the rest will follow and you'll have a weeping seal that attracts grit.

Use the Mighty Vac, and suck out the extra. A little over is no biggie, and nothing to sweat, but a whole lot over and a long trip with a heavy load in hot weather is asking for angst.

 

[7879fordman]

The air space is to allow for expansion of the fluid as it warms.

No room to expand, means it can't expand without becoming pressurized and leaking past seals, and onto important bits..like pads, and rotors.
Worse, once it forces a way out through a weak spot in a seal, the rest will follow and you'll have a weeping seal that attracts grit.

Use the Mighty Vac, and suck out the extra. A little over is no biggie, and nothing to sweat, but a whole lot over and a long trip with a heavy load in hot weather is asking for angst.

You still a little over half the hub space . When you fill to where it pours out the full hole .

So there's no way it can build pressure and do that . Since it want expend that far . Plus air and escape by the rubber plug if it needs .

Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

 

[Kaliburz]

Semi trucks have been running oil bath hubs on steer axles and on trailers for YEARS. Why, not sure....maybe easier when swapping bearings out. Some guys assemble them dry (no grease) and then just add oil. Some mechanics pack the bearings and then add oil.

If the seal leaks, change it. If goes bad again, check the spindle for roughness. If it's clean and goes through a third seal, try sleeving it. If that fails....just pack it like a regular grease bearing...done. I use Power Punch grease on my bearings, so far, so good. Really tacky stuff, works great.

Oil hubs will reduce the rolling resistance, aka help on fuel economy. I guess maybe that's why they developed it. Or maybe it was easier for maintinace. Pull of cover, let old oil drain....put cover on, refill....