Repacking Wheel Bearings Question

[Rubber Tramps]

We have a 2009 3455SA, Hickory Edition. How often do you all repack and grease the wheel bearings? We're having new wheels and tires installed, and think it might be a good idea to do it at the same time. We full-time and basically move twice a year, north to south and back again. Thanks for any advice.

[dieselguy]

Some of us repack every year, but with your description of travel ... I'd say every other year would be sufficient. It allows you to put an eye on brakes as well.

[DQDick]

X2 with Dieselguy.

[wingerphil]

I take everything apart and repack by hand with new seals every other year. On the non-repack year I squirt a pump or two of grease into the zirk in the end of axle.

[Rubber Tramps]

Confirms my thinking - appreciate the replies!

[1retired06]

We keep track of tow milage for purposes of tire wear. I repack at around the 15-20K mark, and have always found the bearings in good shape with sufficient grease. Not one of my favorite things to do. Doing every other year for most folks is good, and also provides an opportunity to inspect brakes, which I probably dont do often enough.

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by wingerphil

I take everything apart and repack by hand with new seals every other year. On the non-repack year I squirt a pump or two of grease into the zirk in the end of axle.

This has been discussed MANY times. Unless your hubs are full of grease, from the rear bearing to the front bearing, a couple of squirts won't get the job done. Another way to put it: if you don't see the grease being forced out the front (outside) bearing, you are only lubing the inner bearing. For pictures of how this system works, go to the second page of this link: http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/produ...-Lube_7-11.pdf

You will be amazed at how many people including mechanics at trailer sales do not understand this! Of course the mechanics don't care because they can sell you new bearings when yours fail.

[Hooker]

I have always wondered why the bearings have to be repacked. We haven't repacked a car/truck bearing in decades. Que pasa?

[MIMF]

I have the bearings repacked every other year. So far, they have always been good. At the same time, I have the brakes inspected and adjusted. However, this year was a different story. Also had new 3500 lb spring packs installed to the Alko-Kolber 6K lb axles because, there was a couple of the original 3000 lb packs that had collapsed. Even had the wet-bolt kits, brass bushings and the heavier TrailAir Equa-flex equalizers all installed at the same time. Now, this old create should be ready to travel!

[Bob & Lee]

The link from Tom S has changed my thought, I was told that the greese was pushed in thru the front and if too much was pushed in it would blow out the seals in the rear. If this works the way the link shows the seals would blow if they were bad, if they are good the greese should come out the front. I need to do more research.
Bob

[steelpony5555]

I think the only time you will get grease on your brakes is if the rear seal fails, in which case there was a problem and the seal was probably gonna fail and start leaking anyways. Or if you get crazy with the grease gun. You should be pumping it very slowly while spinning the wheel.