Wheel Bearings

[Ram Montana High Country]

Got a long trip (7000 miles) coming up. Had IS installed last September. Added grease to that already but thinking of making an appointment upon return in August for getting wheel bearings repacked before Rally Trip. Hoping other folks remember to do the same and do a brake check at the same time. My independent shop does it for $150 for all four.

[DadsHemi]

That’s pretty inexpensive price.

[Ram Montana High Country]

what do you think is reasonable? That's shop time/equipment, pulling: tires, hubs. Cleaning inspecting, re-grease, re-install with new seals and torque wheels.

[DadsHemi]

Originally Posted by Ram Montana High Country

what do you think is reasonable? That's shop time/equipment, pulling: tires, hubs. Cleaning inspecting, re-grease, re-install with new seals and torque wheels.

What I’m saying is that’s pretty cheap, his labor for 3 to 4 hrs work + seals is inexpensive. Seals are 13 bucks a piece.

[rohrmann]

You can get the Dexter seals for $4 a piece. http://www.dexterpartsonline.com/product/27-352-2

[dieselguy]

Agree with rohrmann ... you can get equal quality seals all day long for around $4-$5 at places like Redneck Trailer Sales or FleetPride here in the midwest.

[Slow Hand]

You should not have to repack any wheel bearing after only 7,000 miles. It's noty like a boat trailer you back into the water every time you launch the boat. You should be able to go 30 40 thousand before you have to grease the bearings but hey I know some guys think you have to do it every year.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Agreed on the service range and if was OEM ... but Morryde IS less likely for the need. But piece of mind and preventative goes a long way for me.

Part of the reason for the post is FOOD FOR THOUGHT - from several years back the posts were more maintenance/upkeep oriented. Certainly a sign factory has been listening.

[rohrmann]

If you upgraded to disc brakes when you did the IS, you shouldn’t need to repack the bearings. The reason for doing the annual inspection of the drum brakes and the repack is mostly for the brake inspection. If you have discs, you can inspect the brakes by just looking without having to remove anything.

[Twinstax]

Just had IS and disc brakes put on in January (loving it by the way), but prior to that asked my service tech (Modern Trailer in Anderson, IN) about how often to do bearings and he said every 2 yrs/12,000 miles.

[AZ Traveler]

Agree with Bob. For drum brakes - pull your drums every year for a good brake inspection - pack the bearings while you are at it.

If you have disk brakes, every couple of years is good on the bearings.

[Dave W]

Probably don't need anything more then a quick inspection. The outer bearing 'pops' out pretty easily and will give you a good idea of the inners.


Since I installed better pads and replumbed the disc brake system, took the opportunity to repack the wheel bearings after two years. Not many miles, probably 5-6000 as we usually travel since 2020 was a stay close by year. The bearings looked like they had just been done even with the grease that I felt suspect with separating.

[daveinaz]

Originally Posted by Slow Hand

You should not have to repack any wheel bearing after only 7,000 miles. It's noty like a boat trailer you back into the water every time you launch the boat. You should be able to go 30 40 thousand before you have to grease the bearings but hey I know some guys think you have to do it every year.

Glad to hear this! I had my bearings packed in the summer of ‘19 and was wondering what to do. They only have maybe 12k on them so I think I’ll just leave them alone…