Bearing lubrication: re-packing the hub?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I am in the process of taking off the rear hubs of my F15A to change the wheel brake cylinders, relubricate the bearings and replace the seal.

According to the MB-F1 maintenance manual the bearing assemblies should be cleaned and repacked with wheel bearing lubricant every 5,000 miles. But under the "Front Wheel Bearing Lubrication" paragraph the manual states: "Do not pack the hub between the inner and outer bearing assemblies with grease as this excessive lubrication would result in the grease working out into the brake drums and onto the linings". Under Rear Wheel Bearing Lubrication no recommendation is made.

There was grease present in the rear hubs, very thick and dark. I thought it was old grease, but a friend of mine said it could have been a grease especially for that purpose.

What would you advise to do? Follow the manual on the front hubs, and repack the rear hubs with regular wheel bearing grease between the bearings?

Thanks!
Hanno