grease solvent

[MC5W20]

I'm gonna have to do a brake job this weekend. Gonna have to clean and repack some wheel bearings. What would be a good solvent to use to make the clean up fast. This is what I currently own without having to buy anything.

Acetone
Denatured Alcohol
Laquer Thinner
Simple Green
Spray Carb Cleaner

 

[Tempest]

I've used Simple Green to soak the parts over night. Then take an old toothbrush and scrub away. Use one of the other solvents to get the water/any remaining gunk out before re-greasing. (Spray brake cleaner works great.) Slower than the other solvents, but much more people friendly.

If your in a hurry, go with the Acetone. Not pleasant stuff, but it works great. Make sure to have good ventilation and protect your hands/eyes.

 

[Kestas]

For 'really clean' degreasing I use two steps. Clean everything in mineral spirits... I use a shallow pan and toothbrush. Then follow up with alcohol to remove the residue from mineral spirits. This makes it perfectly clean.

 

[MC5W20]

I left that off my list but I bet I still have some mineral spirits left. I was taught to use gasoline. However, I would much rather use someting I have on hand currently. Hoping someone else with experience using something I mentioned could save me some time scrubbing by using something listed that is not as efficient. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[Kestas]

Cleaning wheel bearings isn't rocket science. You stand more of a chance contaminating the bearings with lint, dirty hands, and rust raining from the hub and rotor than by leaving any residue in there. I use mineral spirits and leave it at that. I don't bother with alcohol. I'm sure you'll do okay with whatever you do.

 

[dmproske]

I slosh the bearing in a bucket of Varsol/Naphtha or gasoline if its really nasty. I then blow it out with LOW and I say LOW air pressure.

 

[bruce381]

mineral spirits or thinner stuff like simple green have water not good.
bruce

 

[Master ACiD]

i just did rear wheel bearings on my car yesterday.

i used gasoline to cut the grease. i also ran a rag through the races to get the old grease out, then cleaned inside the hub and races with brake cleaner. it left the whole thing very clean.

 

[MC5W20]

Well, I think I'm gonna try the acetone first. This is the brake job from ****. The female who owns this truck ran it until the inboard pad disentegrated and the caliper pistons was what was providing the braking force on the rotor. Not fun. I guess I'm just gonna have to suck it up and accept the fact this is going to take a couple of days finish.

 

[alreadygone]

Mineral spirits,, then rinse with brake cleaner.

Bob

 

[brian fix]

Good ol fuel oil works fine with a old paint brush and a basin to rinse in,BL