wren_rodriguez•1mo agoProlific Poster

PSA: Stop using brake cleaner on wheel bearings before packing them

I saw two different guys at the shop this week spray brake cleaner all over fresh wheel bearings before packing them with grease. That stuff strips every bit of lubricant off the metal and leaves them dry. Did it on a Peterbilt last month and the bearings were squealing after 200 miles. Why would you wash off the factory coating and then think grease alone is enough?

2 comments

2 Comments

grantl941mo ago

Are we really acting like a little brake cleaner is gonna destroy a bearing that fast? I've done it plenty of times on my personal rig and never had a bearing squeal or heat up on me. Maybe it's more about how long you let it sit or if you're packing enough grease back in. I feel like a lot of these horror stories come from guys who just didn't put enough grease on after cleaning. You think the factory coating is magical or something?

margaretk891mo ago

Happened to me with a set of semi trailer bearings last year. A buddy swore by cleaning them with brake parts cleaner before repacking, so I tried it on one hub. That thing started getting hot about 150 miles down the road. Had to pull over and redo it with fresh bearings and grease, no cleaner. Now I just wipe the old grease off with a rag and pack em right away... never had a problem since. Factory coating is there for a reason, those engineers know what they're doing.