Wheel bearings

[upsjed]

I was thinking of attempting to do my own wheel bearings before I head out to the races this season. I am wondering if I would be biting off more that I can chew. 20 some odd years ago wheel bearings in auto shop seemed easy but time has a way of clouding things. My travel trailer is 2 yrs old with about 8k miles. Any advise? Thanks Jed

[Ron48]

Jed
I did mine lasr summer. was easier than I thought. I just made sure to clean them good. bought some High temp wheel bearing grease. I had to buy new seals for the rear bearings. I just took my time, and everything went fine

[Ron48]

also, some of the newer trailers have a fitting on the outside of the hub, Advertised as, "Ultra-lube" axles. These are ok, but if you pump to much grease into these, the grease can blow out the rear seals, letting grease get on your brakes. I do mine the old fashion way, physically removing, cleaning and re-packing by hand, you can inspect your brakes at the same time

[Nascarcamping]

Like ron said take your time, make sure you have some good stable jacks underneath.

Ron, we call them bearing buddies up here, I installed them on my ski doo trailer, but they where a pain getting in thats for sure.

I remember reading somewhere of switching the greases from the old usual, to the high temp silicone, but not sure on that one, maybe our tech can weigh in on this one.

[stewartfan]

I have E-Z Lube Axles (http://dexteraxle.com/e_z_lube_system) that are made my Dexter Axle. It is a very nice setup.

Twice a year, at the beginning and half way through the season I pump grease into the grease fitting, about ten pumps each wheel and every other year I disassemble, clean and repack with new grease seals. The excess grease comes out of the front of the spindle/hub assembly.

I personally think that with todays synthetic grease every year is a little overkill.
I put somewhere around 5,000 miles a year on our trailer.

[MASTERTECH]

repacking bearings i my eyes should be done yearly mostly just to see how much wear has been put on the brake shoes and magnets and that rear seal any grease old school or new synthetic is all ok, just play safe use jack stands and always use a new rear seal and cotter pin and don`t over tighten the castle nut, retorque all lugs at least once after reassembly after you do it once you`ll never pay to have it done its that easy

[upsjed]

3 wheels done 1 to go. Boy you guys were right it's a breeze. I can't believe the local RV shop wanted $388. to do it. Thanks for the help. Jed

[Nascarcamping]

One more thing this and oil changes treat like surgery, clean hands no dirt, grime or pebbles, rust etc... can find its way into this area.

all it takes is one little piece of sand or a small stone that will start top eat away at the races,etc.....

use clean rags wipe the splines down and then throw them away.

think of the lonely pearl..........