Front Axle / Front Suspension: Did I do damage?

[Hawklover]

Just want some opinions here.
Shop manual says to repack front wheel bearings at 10K mile intervals.

The rotors have not been taken off and bearings repacked in about 18K miles....which is when I did them last in 1997

Have I done any damage, and should I remove and repack ASAP?
Thanks in advance:-)

[DEEPNHOCK]

Don't sweat it.
Just clean everything and inspect the bearings and races.
Pack the bearings and install new seals.

[Hawklover]

I guess I am curious as to just how much mileage a good repack is good for? If the bearings have 18K since the last service is it imperative to service ASAP? I mean what is the theoretical limit to a repack?

Don't sweat it.
Just clean everything and inspect the bearings and races.
Pack the bearings and install new seals.

[Tom Bredehoft]

Just repack them and be thankful your bearings survived. Aim at 10,000.

[63 R2 Hawk]

I would be more concerned about the time interval, grease can harden in 17 years and cause early bearing failure. It's hard to hurt roller bearings, but it's a good idea to repack and adjust every 5 years or so.

[Hawklover]

Tom not to sound dumb, but for years I have heard only do a repack when changing brake shoes. Is that just a fairy tale?

Just repack them and be thankful your bearings survived. Aim at 10,000.

[Hawklover]

OMG!.........they were done back in 1997!

I would be more concerned about the time interval, grease can harden in 17 years and cause early bearing failure. It's hard to hurt roller bearings, but it's a good idea to repack and adjust every 5 years or so.

[Tom Bredehoft]

The engineers who wrote the Shop Manual reccommend a 10,000 mile lubrication of the Front Wheel Bearings, who am I to question them? Certainly, after a long period of non-use, they should be lubed before heavy use.

[52-fan]

I suspect that the lubricants we have now last a bit longer than the original stuff. The interval can probably be stretched mileage wise, but the warning about the lube drying out over a long period is a good one.