Wheel bearings...???

[boneneck]

So I just got my wheels back from painting and I am about to take the old rusty wheels off. Whille I have the wheels off I want to check the old bearings to see if they need any work before my first trip out in our new Shasta. I have a 1969 Starflyte with trailer brakes. How do I go about doing this? Is it as simple as taking off the brake drum and it's all right there. Help please.

[offspringin]

I have a 1970 with no brakes but i do believe you take the drum off, then the dust cover (part that pokes through big center hole the rim when its on). you can gently pry this with a flat head or rubber mallet. inside this should be a large nut with a cotter pin holding it in place. gently pull the cotter pin and nut and i believe the outter bearing and hub assembly will slide off. there will be a seal on the backside of the hub you can knock out through the hub. need to clean and inspect the spindle, look for any signs of wear etc. check the bearings for the same. some people re-use the seals if they are in good shape, others when they can find them track down new ones. re-grease (make sure you use the right stuff) and reassembly in the reverse order. when you retighten the nut you dont want it rock tight on there, get it as tight as possible usually and back it off till the cotter pin fits. want it to be loose but no play.

i could be wrong about something here, anyone feel free to step in and correct me if i am.

[pathfinder3081]

Offsppring has got you on the right track and there are some killer threads with video and notes and all kinds of stuff under the wheel and axel section. It really refreshed my memorey. I had'nt thought about it since I watched my dad do it back in 68..

[boneneck]

Thanks guys! What's the best kind of grease to use. Any suggestions?

[cowcharge]

Get the red grease, one kind loved by boaters is Lucas Red 'n' Tacky.

Here's a good video for taking them apart and inspecting them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=85p7_YeGoYc