KIC Catalog

Wheel Seal and Bearing Removal, Installation & Maintenance

REASSEMBLY NOTE:

Wheel bearing adjustment af-

fects wheel seal and wheel bearing life. The first indica-

tion of excessive wheel end play is wheel seal leakage.

1. The axle must be level. If tires are mounted on

the hub, use a wheel dolly and align the hub as-

sembly with the spindle and push into position.

Care should be taken to avoid contacting the

spindle end during the assembly process. Cau-

tion must be exercised when installing the seal

over keyways or threads.

2. With the wheel dolly in place, fill the hub cavity

with clean oil.

This step is mandatory for prop-

er bearing and seal performance.

Apply clean

oil to the outer bearing and place it in the hub. In-

spect the threads of the adjusting nuts and hand

tighten prior to removing the wheel dolly.

3. All major seal, bearing, and axle manufacturers

require a minimum of 0.001” to a maximum of

0.005” end play for adequate seal and bearing

performance. Performance improves as end

play decreases to 0.001”. Compliance with end

play requirements are verified with a calibrated

dial indicator on every wheel end.

Specific torquing procedures to achieve the end play

tolerances are documented and available from the indi-

vidual axle, bearing and seal suppliers.

NOTE:

Never use an impact wrench to adjust wheel

bearings.

4.a. For steering axles and trailer axles only— In-

stall the hub cap using a new gasket and fill with

clean oil to the proper level. Allow time for the lu-

bricant to pass through the outer bearing before

rechecking to verify the final oil level. Hub cap

bolts should be torqued to 10 to 14 foot-pounds

in a star pattern. Check the hub cap vent plug

to make certain the vent hole is clean. Reinsert

the plug.

4.b. For drive axles only—Reinstall the axle shaft

using a new gasket or gasket material. Torque

the nuts to the manufacturer’s specifications. If

wheel hubs are equipped with oil fill/drain plugs,

add a pint of oil to each wheel end.

For standard hubs, each side of the drive axle

must be raised a minimum of 8 inches to move

the lubricant into the opposite wheel end. Re-

check the main sump for the proper oil level and

top off the lubricant level if required.

Always check the axle breather to be sure it is

operating properly and is completely free of dirt

and debris.

LUBRICATION

Correctly lubricate wheel seals and bearings in accor-

dance with OEM recommendations. Improper lubricant

level could cause severe wheel end damage. Do not mix

lubricants.