Sealed wheel bearings??

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by TeJay

The CV axles are probably absorbing the side thrust abuse and not the sealed bearings. The hub sealed bearings keep the axle in place laterally and vertically.
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I have to disagree with that statement.

Axle CV joints are not designed to handle thrust. A CV joint and front axle half shaft, only delivers torque to the hub. If it was to handle thrust, it would effect the front wheels up and down movement. It needs to be floating between the diff and wheel. I've replaced a few and they slip right out of the diferential.

A front wheel bearing handles the steering thrust and weight. That's why they often hum in a turn, when going bad.

[TeJay]

I've replaced several of those my self and you're right they do slip in and out easily so they probably don't hand any side thrust. I guess the sealed bearings themselves do all that work. You are also correct they do last for many, many miles. My guess it they us a good synthetic lube and the fact that they are sealed they stay dirt free.

I just checked my Ford Ranger manual today. The manual transmission uses Mercon transmission fluid for the gear box lube. They said to not use Mercon V in them as the two are not compatible. On my last little pickup (Isuzu) I switched the differential lube and the manual gear box to Mercon V synthetic transmission fluid. I drove it for another 40,000 miles with no issues. I'd like to do the same with the Ranger.

[jenandjon]

I guess I will stick with my good old fashioned grease bearings. I do like the sealed bearings in our farm equipment. What use to take half hour to ready a piece of equipment every morning now takes 5 minutes. I bet here use to be 50 zerks on a combine. Now there is half that and half of them only get grease ever 200 hours or more.