Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Wheel Bearings

When I was making preparations for My trip from Seattle to Key West and back (about 10,000 miles) My Mentor told Me to repack My front wheel bearings and while I had the bearings out take them to a Machinist for inspection. I ignored Him at first, but after He repeated this about 3 times I did as instructed. Good thing I did. The machinist did inspect them and rejected them. He installed new bearings and I packed them with grease very well.

You might ask Why I had not looked at My rear wheel bearings. Because I had replaced the Salisbury 7HA Phase I with a Dana axle that MMC was using in their later Morgans. The wheel bearing in the Dana gets its lubrication from the diff oil not a zerk on top of the bearing.

A wheel bearing lubricated by diff oil?

That made me think as well.

If you look at the exploded view of the BTR axle on Morganatica you can see that the oil seal is outboard of the bearing and there is no other seal between the diff and the outer bearing. As the oil level seems to be slightly above the bottom of the axle tubes then I guess it's feasible but I'd like someone more knowledgable to confirm either way.

BTR axle

All the solid axles I've had have had outer bearings immersed in diff oil. They are usually simple bearings just carrying the halfshaft.
However some rear axles do apparently have grease nipples at the outer ends.

Yes Salisbury Rear Axles used on older Morgans have zerks and inner seals at the wheel bearing.

I remember my 1993 car with the grease points. There was a small hole in the axle casing near them and when greasing you stopped when a “worm” of grease was seen to exit this hole. Prevented over greasing and pressure pushing bearings out. Keep the hole unblocked!

My 1994 +8 has the grease nipple and hole for the "worm"of grease to exit. Just serviced mine ready for the Morgans Over America rally in May.

Yes: That is a Salisbury. We can compare Rear Ends in Sun Valley where MOA will be hosted by Lisa Holley. I am the COHOST.

Hi Britmog, I have a 1994 +8 and although I have found the grease nipples on the rear axle just behind the back plate of the brake drums I have never found the "worm" of grease holes dispite persistent searching. Can you describe for me exactly where these holes are on the axle? Thanking you in breathless anticipation......

Give it a good clean. It is just behind the drum.