Eaton HO52/72 hub questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

2500dmaxlv · 07-21-2011, 12:19 PM

Hello Everyone,

I'm a new member to the site and am building a 1980 Chevy K5 with a Dana 44 front axle and a Eaton HO72 rear axle. I'm working on the rear axle now and have a couple questions that maybe some of you could answer.

Should I pack the wheel bearings in the rear axle? I have seen this done on a couple other threads, but wouldn't the bearings get properly lubed by the diff oil?

What are the torque specs for the inner and outer spindle nuts? I found one thread on here and it said to torque the inner nut to 30-40 ft lbs then back it off to align the keyway. What about the torque for the jam nut?

Thanks for your help!!

**Stocker** · 07-21-2011, 03:18 PM

Welcome to the board!

Only one I can answer is the wheel bearings on your rear diff. Do not pack them.... your thinking is correct, they are lubed by the gear oil in the diff.

Hang in there, I'm sure others will chime in and answer your other questions. There is a huge amount of knowledge on this board, and plenty of folks are happy to share it!

CrewCab59 · 07-21-2011, 04:02 PM

If the rear diff was dry say you doing a rebuild yes packing the wheel bearing is a must or you have to tilt the diff to get the oil out to the bearings on both side. The grease will mix into the gear oil just fine. I have found way to many damaged bearing and races left dry because thinking oil would just lube the bearings. Don't forget to top off the lube.

Scott

2500dmaxlv · 07-22-2011, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the heads up! Anyone have any idea on torque specs?

California gold 68 · 07-22-2011, 09:16 PM

Above all else pack your bearings. When I rebuilt my 14 bolt I was gonna just fill the differential, but was told by a seasoned pro to do the bearings. By the time the gear oil hits the bearings you could do some damage. Look at it this way... your only out a few ounces of grease

**Stocker** · 07-22-2011, 11:21 PM

I apologize for the bad advice.... guess I'm never too old to learn something. I was told many years ago not to pack them because they're lubed by gear oil, and that's the way I've done it (though only a few times) and I've never had any problems with bearings.

07-21-2011, 12:19 PM	#1
2500dmaxlv Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2	Eaton HO52/72 hub questions Hello Everyone, I'm a new member to the site and am building a 1980 Chevy K5 with a Dana 44 front axle and a Eaton HO72 rear axle. I'm working on the rear axle now and have a couple questions that maybe some of you could answer. Should I pack the wheel bearings in the rear axle? I have seen this done on a couple other threads, but wouldn't the bearings get properly lubed by the diff oil? What are the torque specs for the inner and outer spindle nuts? I found one thread on here and it said to torque the inner nut to 30-40 ft lbs then back it off to align the keyway. What about the torque for the jam nut? Thanks for your help!!

07-21-2011, 03:18 PM	#2
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,730	Re: Eaton HO52/72 hub questions Welcome to the board! Only one I can answer is the wheel bearings on your rear diff. Do not pack them.... your thinking is correct, they are lubed by the gear oil in the diff. Hang in there, I'm sure others will chime in and answer your other questions. There is a huge amount of knowledge on this board, and plenty of folks are happy to share it! __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-21-2011, 04:02 PM	#3
CrewCab59 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Knoxville,TN Posts: 1,185	Re: Eaton HO52/72 hub questions If the rear diff was dry say you doing a rebuild yes packing the wheel bearing is a must or you have to tilt the diff to get the oil out to the bearings on both side. The grease will mix into the gear oil just fine. I have found way to many damaged bearing and races left dry because thinking oil would just lube the bearings. Don't forget to top off the lube. Scott __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe 20 4x4 burb 1971 GMC SWB CST 4x4 1972 GMC k20 4x4 (X- brush truck ) 1971 Chevy CST Blazer 4x4 1971 Chevy C/10 1970 Cab Chassis C30 157" 1971 Cab Chassis Custom 30 Deluxe 157" 292/4spd ( Napco Replica ) 1988 Chevy V30 4x4 wrecker challenger 4812

07-22-2011, 02:40 PM	#4
2500dmaxlv Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2	Re: Eaton HO52/72 hub questions Thanks for the heads up! Anyone have any idea on torque specs?

07-22-2011, 09:16 PM	#5
California gold 68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foresthill California Posts: 70	Re: Eaton HO52/72 hub questions Above all else pack your bearings. When I rebuilt my 14 bolt I was gonna just fill the differential, but was told by a seasoned pro to do the bearings. By the time the gear oil hits the bearings you could do some damage. Look at it this way... your only out a few ounces of grease

07-22-2011, 11:21 PM	#6
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,730	Re: Eaton HO52/72 hub questions I apologize for the bad advice.... guess I'm never too old to learn something. I was told many years ago not to pack them because they're lubed by gear oil, and that's the way I've done it (though only a few times) and I've never had any problems with bearings. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay



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