Grease and Xantia rear hubs

[Xantidote]

Whilst doing the radius arm bearings on nearside, noticed when idly spinning the hub, that the hub bearings might be sounding a bit dry, though no play, and no rumble (the o/side sounded better).

So removed hub today. The bearings seem fine, but I did find that the grease was extremely thick and in lumps (much thicker than Castrol Heavy). Is it supposed to be like this?

Is this what happens to grease as time goes by? - Drying out & going hard with age, thereby reducing the lubrication effect, and accelerating the running dry and subsequent destruction of the bearing surfaces.

I dug out most of the thick lumpy old grease with a small electrical screwdriver, especially where I couldn't remove the balls (inner race), and re-assembled using Castrol LM, a lithium grease, and a LOT softer.

Cheers - Martin

[Peter.N.]

You did the right thing