MF50 rear wheel bearings

[Levi H.]

Can anyone give me the rundown on how to grease or service the rear wheel bearings on a high clearance MF50. It was dads and little by little It is getting back into shape. Want to make sure the bearings get some lube since it has been probably never that they have been serviced
 

[Jw22]

They lube from oil from rear end.
 

[Dan S (NY)]

On the low clearance MF50 there is an inner axle seal that is supposed to keep the transmission oil from getting to the wheel bearing so you must pull the axle out and pack the bearing with grease. There is an outer seal that is supposed to keep the grease from getting to the brakes. I think greasing the bearing is listed as one of the periodic service items in the owners manual.

I looked in the online parts book for the 50 and did not see a different rear axle assembly listed for the high clearance 50, so I assume servicing the high clearance rear wheel bearings would be the same as the low clearance.

Dan
 

[Levi H.]

Dan S. Thank you for your reply. Your answer makes sense. I have an owners manual and it tells me that the bearings need to be greased. It just does not go into detail. I was hoping that someone would have some experience and be able to give a bit of a step by step rundown.Thanks again for confirming that grease is necessary
 

[Dan S (NY)]

To remove the axle shafts you remove both rear wheels, disconnect the back end of the brake rods going to the pedals, remove all the nuts in the axle housing flange just behind the brake backing plate and pull the axle out. The large brake rod that comes out of the backing place and over to the center housing is just sitting in a socket so it will pull right out. This is a heavy assembly with all the brakes still assembled. Be careful pulling the axle out as it is going through the inner seal, although I would probably replace those seals while the axle is out if they are old.
You should find shims at the end of the axle where it bolts to the flange. The shims set axle end clearance where they meet in the differential. You might get away with just putting the shims back the way they where, but I would go through the procedure in the service book on setting the axle end play to be safe.

Dan