Defender Rear Bearing Lubrication

Hi

I have a Land Rover Defender County 90, 2006 with approx 40,000 on the clock, owned from new.
During its recent service I noticed that the Rear right hand side Pads had almost disintegrated for reasons unknown and the Disc had circumferential ribs.
Although I service the vehicle I was unsure of whether I was knowledgeable enough to effect the necessary Disc and Pad change so I consulted this forum and found some useful information, that encouraged me to tackle it.
During removal of Outer Cap & Outer Bearing , I noted that a little oil was discharged. I did not note any obvious evidence of grease having been applied to either Inner or Outer Bearing.
My question is this.
Given that I saw no obvious evidence of grease having been applied to the Bearings is lubrication provided by oil which finds its way from the Rear Axle, or from oil added to the area where Bearings are positioned? Therefore, is it unnecessary to apply grease to the Bearings?

Your help would be appreciated.

Pantgwyn

The oil could well be a mix of grease and oil, my disco does the same thing, best bet is just regrease them if you aren't replacing, if replacing then pack them with grease for sure it certainly won't harm them.

pantgwyn said:

Hi

I have a Land Rover Defender County 90, 2006 with approx 40,000 on the clock, owned from new.
During its recent service I noticed that the Rear right hand side Pads had almost disintegrated for reasons unknown and the Disc had circumferential ribs.
Although I service the vehicle I was unsure of whether I was knowledgeable enough to effect the necessary Disc and Pad change so I consulted this forum and found some useful information, that encouraged me to tackle it.
During removal of Outer Cap & Outer Bearing , I noted that a little oil was discharged. I did not note any obvious evidence of grease having been applied to either Inner or Outer Bearing.
My question is this.
Given that I saw no obvious evidence of grease having been applied to the Bearings is lubrication provided by oil which finds its way from the Rear Axle, or from oil added to the area where Bearings are positioned? Therefore, is it unnecessary to apply grease to the Bearings?

Your help would be appreciated.

Pantgwyn

Click to expand...

Yes they should be packed with grease on installation, many a thread on here regarding this job

Update
I started the Left hand side yesterday. The Bearings on this Left hand side did have residual grease in them. This answers the question about greasing.
Interesting too, the Brake pads (original equipment) on this side were also disintegrating badly, rather than wearing.
A second question is why have the Pads, original equipment, disintegrated?

pantgwyn said:

Update
A second question is why have the Pads, original equipment, disintegrated?

Click to expand...

Do the pads/discs show any signs of overheating? I'm wondering if they may have been fitted incorrectly, causing rubbing, or if someone has been inadvertently riding the brake pedal or something along those lines?

The oher thing I've seen if the vehicle's been sat a while is the pads delaminating from the steel backing plates - or if the pads are not properly made and rust.

I've seen this more than one on original RR/D1 pads.

When you say disintegrate (and apologies if I missed this) can you give me a bit more detail?

Hi
Yes.
Having now completed the task on the rears, I have better information.When I viewed the Pads with the wheel off, I could only see the leading edge of the pads. When I removed the Caliper, I saw that the wearing face of the inner Pads looked ok but the metal face that the piston pushes against had effectively detached from the Pad wearing material. This metal backing of the inner Pad was rusted and seized at the top and bottom where the Pads sit in the Caliper. The Outer Pads disintegrated in a similar way, although they had not seized within the Caliper. Hence I had some braking but certainly not A1. The pistons were ok, just a little light rust about 4mm wide at the front edge but they retract ok so I have not replaced them.
Armed with this lesson, I thought I had better check the fronts. Took off Righthand side wheel (RHS), and checked Piston movement. Again, outer Pistons were seen to move and I could also retract outer Pad using grips. Pad at inner side would not budge. I should add that the thickness of the Pads were pretty good. So, off with the Caliper and yes, the inner Pad had seized within the Caliper I knocked out the Pad but the metal PadBacking was rusted against the Pistons.
I made a judgement to replace the whole Caliper this time and have ordered a front set from Paddock Spares. Having now dismantled the Caliper I see that the Casting and Bores are ok and regret having ordered new Calipers but it is done now. I wondered whether there was a market if I bought and assembled new Pistons and Seals and sell as a reconditioned Caliper set?
Thank you for your responses.
Pantgwyn.