LeeBoy LB Performance CB95 - Repack Front Wheel Bearings

Maintenance
LB Performance CB95 Broom5-24
Repack Front Wheel BearingsRepack Front Wheel Bearings
The wheel bearings secure the wheel and tire to the
vehicle on the drive shaft inside the wheel hub. While
wheel bearings are designed to last 100,000 miles, they
can lose lubricity over time. Dirt and debris can also
seep into the wheel bearings. If the wheel bearings
aren’t cleaned and repacked, they can wear out and
possibly break or damage other wheel components.
When any of the following symptoms appear, the wheel
bearing is damaged and should be replaced on both
wheels of the same axle.
• Abnormal and excessive tire wear on the inside or
outside edge of tire.
• Grinding or roaring noise from a tire. This symptom
indicates metal-on-metal contact and denitely
requires wheel bearing replacement.
• The steering wheel bounces and vibrates at lower
speeds, vibrating more as the machine accelerates.
Cleaning and repacking or replacing
wheel bearings is a messy job. Wear gloves and
have plenty of shop rags and room to work around
the entire wheel hub. Dispose of used grease in
accordance with environmental law.
If using compressed air for drying
wheel hub components after cleaning, wear eye
protection! Compressed air can cause serious
personal injury if misused. Use compressed air at
safe low levels. NEVER point the nozzle at others.
Wheel
Bearing
Wheel
Spindle
Cotter
Pin
Washer
Seal
Spindle
Nut
Dust
Cap
Figure 5-21. Wheel Hub Components
To clean and repack (or replace) wheel bearings:
1. Park the broom on a level surface in a designated
area where grease does not touch or run off onto
the ground.
2. Using a hydraulic lift (if possible) or oor jack, raise
vehicle with a pair of jack stands on the front axle to
service wheel bearings. Use wheel chocks on the
other wheels for safety.
3. Remove dust cover and lug nuts from one wheel,
then remove tire and wheel hub, placing it clearly
away from the work area. (Figure 5-20 on Page
5-22)
4. Remove cotter pin to release spindle nut, then
remove spindle nut and washer. (Figure 5-21)
5. Carefully pull the wheel bearing and seal off the axle
spindle. Inspect wheel bearing and seal for wear or
damage.
• Discard bearing if replacement is needed. It is
recommended that you discard the seals and
replace with new ones.
• Otherwise, thoroughly clean wheel bearings,
wheel hub, axle spindle and mounting hardware
with solvent. Once the excess grease is
removed, you can spray liberal amounts of
brake cleaner inside the wheel bearings and
wheel hub for additional cleaning.
6. Work fresh grease into the wheel bearings. You can
put the wheel bearing and grease into a plastic zip
lock bag to really work the grease into every small
wheel and bearing.
7. Work fresh grease inside the wheel hub, ensuring
the outer edges are fully covered, and put liberal
amounts of grease onto the axle spindle.
8. Reinsert the wheel bearing, ensuring it is oriented
as shown in Figure 5-20, then new seal, washer,
spindle nut. Continue packing grease inside all the
parts as you install them.
9. Tighten the spindle nut until the wheel “drags” during
hand rotation.
10. Back off the nut 1/8th of a turn and reinsert cotter
pin.
• You can spin the hub and rotor to test for noise and
smoothness before reinstalling the wheel and tire.
When packed correctly, the rotor spins freely without
noise.
11. Reinstall tire and wheel. Torque lug nuts. (See
Section 2, Torque Specications)
12. Repeat procedure on the other wheel.