NSK front wheel bearings packing grease?
 

I got the front bearing apart. I bought a bearing from NAPA, not Subaru. It is an NSK bearing. The grease in the bearing is clear/white. Is it packing grease or real grease?

Thanks, Stephen

I know its a bit off topic, but I'm confused. Normally is the packing grease put on for storage? Do we have to soak it in alcohol or something to get it off and then repack with real bearing grease?

grease already in bearing.
 

That is exactly my question, Tim. Am I looking at packing grease, or real wheel bearing grease?

Getting the old bearing out of the hub was all my 12 ton press (and sledge hammer) could do. I'm not interested in a redeux.

:)

Right now, I'm going to repack the bearing with real grease without removing the existing grease with solvent.
kind of a split the difference approach! *laughs*

nsk are the o.e. bearings
repack them good and put them in

Re: NSK front wheel bearings packing grease?
 

Don't use the packing grease. Degrease the bearing and repack it with good wheel bearing grease. If the bearing has a plastic retainer for the rollers, degrease with something that will not destroy the plastic.

Re: grease already in bearing.
 

If you're not interested in a redux, remove the original grease and repack the bearing. It's not that much extra work, and considering the stress the bearings are under, splitting the difference doesn't sound like the best idea.