Bearings cleaned? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**guyryan100** · 05-16-2003, 03:37 PM

I was replacing a lug stud on the front end and managed to drop the greasy bearing assembly right into the dirt.

How can I clean it? Could I just use gasoline or should I use something different due to the proximity to the break drums?

**COBALT** · 05-16-2003, 03:46 PM

NO. Don't use gasoline on anything unless you absolutely have to. I've seen some bad things happen, man. Bad things.

Get some Brake Cleaner from NAPA (or as I like to call it "Liquid Gold"). It's in a spray can. Put your bearing on a metal surface or on a shop towel that you don't care gets grubby, and spray away. It'll take the crud right out from between the rollers.

Once that's done shake it out, blast it with the air compressor, let it dry, and it's ready to repack.

sam's 72 · 05-16-2003, 04:17 PM

cobalt is right, don't use gas! You can also get some varisole, hell I guess that is how you spell it. It works good too!
Sam

bpmcgee · 05-16-2003, 04:20 PM

Working on farm tractors as a kid, I used to clean out tractor bearings with diesel fuel. It's a pretty good solvent -- about like kerosene.

Brian

**COBALT** · 05-16-2003, 04:37 PM

yeah that's ok. Diesel and Kerosene are oily and have a pretty high flash point (temperature point in which exposed to heat or ignition will actually combust). Gasoline is pretty low (it doesn't take much). The only thing about diesel and kerosene is they sometimes can leave a residue. Brake cleaner leaves nothing. It evaporates pretty quick too.

05-16-2003, 05:32 PM

I thought you are not supposed to use compressed air or similiar on bearings? It doesnt have to be a compressor but next to near. You should let it air dry. I may be wrong!

Mixup · 05-16-2003, 05:40 PM

You are not suppose to spin them with air.

05-16-2003, 05:45 PM

Thank-you for the confirmation. I didnt want to 2nd guess someone who's probably been working on these trucks longer then I've been alive which is 24 years.

05-16-2003, 03:37 PM	#1
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 485	Bearings cleaned? I was replacing a lug stud on the front end and managed to drop the greasy bearing assembly right into the dirt. How can I clean it? Could I just use gasoline or should I use something different due to the proximity to the break drums?

05-16-2003, 03:46 PM	#2
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	NO. Don't use gasoline on anything unless you absolutely have to. I've seen some bad things happen, man. Bad things. Get some Brake Cleaner from NAPA (or as I like to call it "Liquid Gold"). It's in a spray can. Put your bearing on a metal surface or on a shop towel that you don't care gets grubby, and spray away. It'll take the crud right out from between the rollers. Once that's done shake it out, blast it with the air compressor, let it dry, and it's ready to repack. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. Last edited by COBALT; 05-16-2003 at 03:51 PM.

05-16-2003, 04:17 PM	#3
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	cobalt is right, don't use gas! You can also get some varisole, hell I guess that is how you spell it. It works good too! Sam __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

05-16-2003, 04:37 PM	#5
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	yeah that's ok. Diesel and Kerosene are oily and have a pretty high flash point (temperature point in which exposed to heat or ignition will actually combust). Gasoline is pretty low (it doesn't take much). The only thing about diesel and kerosene is they sometimes can leave a residue. Brake cleaner leaves nothing. It evaporates pretty quick too. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

05-16-2003, 05:40 PM	#7
Mixup Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 358	You are not suppose to spin them with air. __________________ 1980 Chevy Shortbed Pickup 1969 Z28 engine Turbo 350

05-16-2003, 04:20 PM	#4
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Working on farm tractors as a kid, I used to clean out tractor bearings with diesel fuel. It's a pretty good solvent -- about like kerosene. Brian

05-16-2003, 05:32 PM	#6
Linus0014 Guest Posts: n/a	I thought you are not supposed to use compressed air or similiar on bearings? It doesnt have to be a compressor but next to near. You should let it air dry. I may be wrong!

05-16-2003, 05:45 PM	#8
Linus0014 Guest Posts: n/a	Thank-you for the confirmation. I didnt want to 2nd guess someone who's probably been working on these trucks longer then I've been alive which is 24 years.



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