Wheel bearing replacement and grease

[Keith Schweizer]

Just wondering what is a general number of miles most everyone will repack wheel bearings, and or replace seals and bearings if needed. I'm sure this has been discussed before but can't seem to locate any info on this subject.
As always THANKS for any and all replys, Keith

[K0LCB]

I clean and grease mine once a year, unless I go through deep water, then I check ASAP

[mlh]

You don't just replace wheel bearings. There is no need to unless they are bad. The same goes for seals. If you are careful taking the hubs off you shouldn't damage them. As for repacking once a year is a plenty and you may not even need it then. You would be far better off to replace your OEM ST tires with G rated tires.
Lynwood

[dieselguy]

I'm a seasonal camper ... I probably don't pull over 3K a year. I repack mine every two years not so much for distance, but time. Oils separate from grease just sitting.

[kdeiss]

[quote]Originally posted by dieselguy

I'm a seasonal camper ... I probably don't pull over 3K a year. I repack mine every two years not so much for distance, but time. Oils separate from grease just sitting.

X2

[rohrmann]

We have about 40,000 miles on our rig, and I have repacked the bearings every year, along with brake inspection, and ALWAYS replace the seals. Trying to reuse the seals, at maybe $4 each is foolish IMHO. The end of last year, I replaced the backing plate brake assemblies, and installed all new USA made Timken bearings and races, as we had a Chinese bearing fail in Texas earlier in the year. A normal service, doing it myself, might cost less than $40.00, that is four seals, a can of premium grease, some rags and solvent, usually just paint thinner, and can have the job done in a morning. And, after having 3 of the 4 seals fail when using the E-Z-Lube system exactly as described in the Dexter manual, which ended up costing close to $600 in new parts and having the drums turned, I figure doing a manual bearing pack is way cheaper.

[Keith Schweizer]

Thanks to everyone for all the good info. When it comes to mechanics I am not a real wiz. I'm more of a nail bender, being a PM for 30 years on custom homes , town homes etc. So I do take my 5er to a guy who is reasonable and guarantees his work. I keep track of every mile I put on my trailer so one year may be a few thousand, and the next much more. So i try not to exceed 10k between service. I have never used the grease fitting on the wheel as I have read of too many seals getting blown out and brakes being ruined. Is 10k reasonable or overkill. I just think how a 4.00 part could leave one sitting along side a deserted road. I would not want to be that guy.

Thanks to all for the response

[Keith Schweizer]

Lynwood, I forgot to mention that I did change out the marathons about 3 years ago, but thanks for suggesting that. I got lucky on that when one tire decided to fail about 1/2 mile from home after a trip.
Thanks, Keith

[Mark N.]

I do mine every other year, with new seals. I personally believe every year is wasted time and money that I can't get back in my life, and have yet to see any evidence whatsoever that even 2 years is necessary. Everything looks perfect at the 2-year mark. Using good quality synthetic grease, and American made bearings that I put in on my first packing, has left me with absolute confidence that every 2 years is adequate.

[WaltBennett]

Contrary to others, I follow Dexter's instructions for greasing their EZ-Lube hubs. Do it once a year since we're averaging about 8 - 10k miles per. Had a Virginia state safety inspector trash one seal two years back and decided to just replace all the brake assemblies (eTrailer!) and seals last spring, but other than the one greased brake, the others were way over half good. I'm waiting for a cop to pull me over so I can vent about this.

[Clemson1881]

EZ Lube system works great if done per instructions. Been doing it for 7 years.

[sambam]

As a weekend warrior, I repack bearings and replace seals every other year, mostly because of time, not miles. And, it gives me a chance to inspect brakes while I'm in there. It's easier and faster for me to replace the seals than to try and salvage the old ones when removing them. They're cheap, though.