Current Classifieds

sport steering wheeel
Date: 10/01/2020 10:58 pm
1973 Pinto 2.3 4 speed transmission. Tube frame roadster frame (roller). 1971 Pinto 2.0 radiator.
Date: 09/05/2018 06:30 pm
Front grill for '72
Date: 03/02/2022 12:09 pm
1978 RUNABOUT

Date: 04/01/2017 03:18 pm
Mustang ll/Pinto/Bobcat Aluminum Wheel Rim

Date: 07/20/2018 03:00 pm
Want seals for Pinto wagon "flip out" windows
Date: 08/08/2017 01:44 pm
Mini Mark IV one of 2 delux lg. sunroof models
Date: 06/18/2018 03:47 pm
1979 Pinto Rear Bumper
Date: 03/26/2021 03:26 pm
Wanted Pinto Fiberglass Body Parts
Date: 08/16/2018 08:54 am
6.6.75 carrier
Date: 02/14/2018 06:47 am
Clutch Pedals for 75to 80 Pinto
Date: 09/21/2018 11:35 am
2.0 Cyl Head1973
Date: 11/29/2018 12:51 pm

Author Topic: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?  (Read 4444 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline ToniJ1960

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • FeedBack: +13/-0
  • Gender: Female
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary Windows User
Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« on: September 14, 2012, 01:00:35 AM »
 I just saw todaty a black area around the grease cap on the front rotor of my pinto.I guess grease has been leaking out but why.I had the wheel bearings on that side adjusted about 6 months ago I dont remember if they repacked the bearings or not though. Its very blackish all the way around the outside of the hub for about a half an inch from the cap. Could it have been over greased or is it the bearings maybe too tight and getting hot?

Offline ToniJ1960

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • FeedBack: +13/-0
  • Gender: Female
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary Windows User
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2012, 03:20:18 PM »
 Thirty views and not one reply :( Glad were all here helping each other.

Offline r4pinto

  • Pinto PooBAH
  • ******
  • Posts: 3854
  • FeedBack: +108/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • All hail Ford Pinto!!!!

  • Total Badges: 9
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Linux User Mobile User Windows User 1000 Posts Tenth year Anniversary Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2012, 03:55:25 PM »
I have read your topic a few times & have been trying to figure out anything that might be of help.

One thing I would recommend is to jack up the front wheel & spin the wheel to see how it spins. It shouldn't be too tight or too loose. Also grasp the wheel from top to bottom & see if it has any play. Any play might indicate a worn bearing. When it spins listen for any noise. It should spin with no noise.

Now one thing to consider is after driving the car go to the wheel and feel it. Compare it to the other wheel. If it feels any hotter it could indicate an issue. Also smell. If you have a scent of burning grease it could indicate it is too hot & is buring the bearing up.

How old are the bearings on the car?

Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline Pinto5.0

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1974
  • FeedBack: +77/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • 80 hatch, 76 Wagon, 72 & 73 Sedans, 71 half hatch

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Mobile User Fifth year Anniversary Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2012, 04:17:42 PM »
I read it too but don't have a clue what's wrong. Usually the grease stays put between the rear seal & the dust cap. Maybe the bearings need re-packed with hi-temp grease. I only use red synthetic hi-temp to pack mine & have never lost one yet. It's 5 bucks a tube but worth the money.....
'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
'76 Wagon driver
'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
'72 sedan 5.0/T5~Lemon Squeeze

Offline ToniJ1960

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • FeedBack: +13/-0
  • Gender: Female
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary Windows User
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2012, 04:43:16 PM »
 Thanks both of you at least I know Im not an idiot but I sdhould have thought to CAREFULLY feel it after I drive for a while. I remember one time I looked through the wheel and saw what looked like a score in my rotor and what happened when I felt it with my finger. Im NOT going to do that ever again.

 Now that I think about it I have head a squeak on that side lately and thought it was the door or something on or near the door. Maybe ill just go get the bearings changed and repacked somewhere I can be sure theyll do it right,and use the right type of grease who knows what that craigslist mechanic guy used.

 Do you expect if I take it somewhere decent, they can tell if theres anything else going on in there by visually inspecting it all? I have changed rotors and wheel bearing myself on my Pintos but Im just not in the mood maybe Im geting old or just dont want to be all greasy right now lol

Offline r4pinto

  • Pinto PooBAH
  • ******
  • Posts: 3854
  • FeedBack: +108/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • All hail Ford Pinto!!!!

  • Total Badges: 9
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Linux User Mobile User Windows User 1000 Posts Tenth year Anniversary Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2012, 06:34:05 PM »
They should be able to tell. Since it's all right there if there is anything else gone wrong they should see it. Yea, I would say that is best taking it to have them replaced. Better to be safe than sorry.   ;D
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline ToniJ1960

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • FeedBack: +13/-0
  • Gender: Female
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary Windows User
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2012, 09:26:34 PM »
 I called a couple of places today and one mentioned concern over the spindle maybe being bad.  Ihope not and I dont really feel theres any reason to suspect there is. I think I might avoid that place.

Offline Pinto5.0

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1974
  • FeedBack: +77/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • 80 hatch, 76 Wagon, 72 & 73 Sedans, 71 half hatch

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Mobile User Fifth year Anniversary Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2012, 10:08:04 PM »
To destroy a spindle you literally have to drive it till the wheel falls off. Even then it's usually fine.
'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
'76 Wagon driver
'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
'72 sedan 5.0/T5~Lemon Squeeze

Offline 1oldtimer

  • Pinto Member
  • **
  • Posts: 42
  • FeedBack: +61/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Another Pinto Motor

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Fifth year Anniversary Topic Starter Signature Mobile User Windows User
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2012, 11:36:09 PM »
That's what happens if the dust cap is slightly bent. There is a lot of grease at the end of the hub most likely, it gets hot, gets a little more runny and if the dust seal is bent at all (from a shop pulling it off) then it leaks out slightly. Pull the cap off (and hub if you want to check the bearings and re grease), make sure it's round, clean off cap and hub, use a little RTV around the dust cap and tap back on.
'72 2.0 in a '28 Ford.

Offline Scott Hamilton

  • FordPinto.com Founder
  • Administrator
  • Pinto Sr. Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 2985
  • FeedBack: +131/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Serving the Pinto Community since 1999...
    • FordPinto.com

  • Total Badges: 13
    Badges: (View All)
    Webmaster Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter PCCA Meet- 2007 Tennessee Apple User Mobile User Linux User Windows User 1000 Posts Tenth year Anniversary Fifth year Anniversary Photographer
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2012, 12:55:17 PM »
That's what happens if the dust cap is slightly bent. There is a lot of grease at the end of the hub most likely, it gets hot, gets a little more runny and if the dust seal is bent at all (from a shop pulling it off) then it leaks out slightly. Pull the cap off (and hub if you want to check the bearings and re grease), make sure it's round, clean off cap and hub, use a little RTV around the dust cap and tap back on.
Thumbs up!
Yellow 72, Runabout, 2000cc, 4Spd
Green 72, Runabout, 2000cc, 4Spd

Offline D.R.Ball

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 558
  • FeedBack: +36/-2
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Tenth year Anniversary Poll Voter Windows User Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Leaking grease from wheel bearings?
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2012, 10:15:18 PM »
Bring your old dust cap in to an auto parts store and buy a new one. When your there get an exhaust fitting that fits the cap and use the fitting as a tool to hammer it home.Easy fix.