Regreasing strut bearings in place

[Rattnalle]

Speaking of grease, it's also easy to pack the strut bearings, this way it will last the life of the car www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnoy6ixh2WA

So this post above in another thread reminded me of something I've been thinking of since my car is making strut bearing rattles and squeaks and I'd very much like to put off replacing it for a little while more without having to listen to it.

Has anyone tried or think it's possible to reach the bearing with spray grease to quieten it for a while? I'd be quite prepared to drill a few small holes in the plastic cover up top if that's what it takes.

[MDK]

I may be wrong.... isn't that black plastic cover a dust cover that pops off?

[Rattnalle]

As far as I can tell its the bottom part that pops off downwards after the bearing has been removed from the strut.

[Georgeandkira]

I just went out to look at mine and while I'm not dead certain of the dimensions (exact location of the ball bearings) it looks like your drill bit would punch into the raceway and leave burrs. Gauging one of the balls or having it jam against the raceways is a possibility.

I lubed mine when I changed the struts. We had a spray can of a clear, viscous grease which shot in perfectly. Check with a picture of one in a catalog and see if you can sneak some lube in. You won't damage anything if you overshot (drown it in lube).

[mrbrian200]

I don't know about it lasting the live of the car, at least in northern road salt zones. The flat part you can't see up at the top of the wheel well is a rust monger. I replaced one that had play in the bearing when I bought the S60 2 years ago (8 years old at the time). The amount of rust/corrosion on the one I replaced was kind of extreme. I don't see the other one holding together but for a few more years. It's on my preemptive strike list to replace the other one sometime this year or next.

[SuperHerman]

I don't see an effective way to regrease without pulling the strut assembly. If you catch it in time you can regrease them, the bearings are pretty visible if the strut is out. But as mrbrian200 states the wheel well is a rust monger and the bearings have little to no sealing other than the grease. If you take it out and it is rusting already - best to just replace them.

I suppose you could try spraying something thick if you disconnect the top three mounting bolts and push down to gain additional access. Maybe you will get some added life.

[oragex]

I don't know about it lasting the live of the car, at least in northern road salt zones. The flat part you can't see up at the top of the wheel well is a rust monger. I replaced one that had play in the bearing when I bought the S60 2 years ago (8 years old at the time). The amount of rust/corrosion on the one I replaced was kind of extreme. I don't see the other one holding together but for a few more years. It's on my preemptive strike list to replace the other one sometime this year or next.

I've seen these at the junk yard with 1/2 of the plate remaining and almost paper thin from rust. But the worst part is this metal plate sits right over the coat of the strut tower (the chassis metal): once this plate starts rusting it eats the paint/coat and starts chewing into the strut tower from underneath www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3gNNboxytg

Side note, careful not to get grease on the three studs, tightening the nuts with grease on the studs may come with some surprise.

[Rattnalle]

I'm not worried about the plate. It and the surfaces it touches plus the entire rest of the wheel housing with the plastic taken out were covered in rust inhibitor by me when I last had the strut out. It's the bearing itself thats squeaking. But it's little enough that I'll probably just ignore it until after the holidays.