Wheel bearing pack cost!

[twindman]

Quite a few years ago, it cost me $200 at the dealer. Then up to $250 and I think last year it was $300 or 350 maybe. Sign at dealer says $265 PER AXLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He said parts are up - seal used to be $.50 is now $3.00 and other prices the same. However, there are not that many parts in a bearing pack.

Any others with examples. I have gone to these guys for 16 years and the last 4 years costs have skyrocketed. It started when they sold out to Everts RV that has 10-12 dealers in west coast. Then a year ago 3 of the 4 owners bought out Evert and prices went up again.
Thanks for listening to me whine!

[77cruiser]

Dealer shop labor is probably $150/hr. or more.

[432bartman]

If you have the time, and don't mind getting a little dirty, and are physically able to do it, you'll save a bundle repacking your bearings yourself, or replacing them altogether. Plenty of info on the internet on how to do it.

[twindman]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

If you have the time, and don't mind getting a little dirty, and are physically able to do it, you'll save a bundle repacking your bearings yourself, or replacing them altogether. Plenty of info on the internet on how to do it.

I know a lot of people say this. I am fairly mechanical but haven't tried anything at this level before (and I am old!).

And yes, their 'preferred' rate is $169, but I can't see it taking 80-90 minutes an axle plus a small amount for grease and seals.

[Joint Venture II]

I paid $365 last September 2022 at Camping World near Springfield, MO for my 2955RL that I sold recently. Took them about 2.5-3 hours from check in to check out. I monitored the bearing temps regularly and had 125*-130* until they were repacked and then it was 105*-115* until I sold it.

[Hblick48]

I've been working on cars since I was 16, 73 now. I've always done my own bearing repack, but hated it because it is very messy. I just don't have it in me to do that job anymore, so for the first time in my life, I took my rig to the shop. I got 2 quotes: Local trailer shop was $350; Les Schwab was $384. I had Les Schwab do the work because they have stores in most places we camp. If I had any issues, they would be close.

Took the Montana in and dropped it off under their awning. When I came back to pick it up, there was a freshly wiped grease spot by each wheel. I chuckled, was glad I didn't make those spots, and gladly paid the bill.

[Ram Montana High Country]

My local trailer shop , not RV, was under $200

[Wellplayedsir]

I have not done mine yet it's a 2022 and has less that 2500 miles including the trip to deliver it to the dealer, I was going to put "Bearing Buddies" on mine they have always worked for me.

https://www.bearingbuddy.com/

[Foldbak]

$300 per axle at my dealership.

[BuckandTeresa]

Windish RV in Colorado Springs is now $185 per hour.

[VagabondLove]

With bearing buddy, just be extra careful that you don’t blow the inside seal when pumping new grease through…it happens often from what I understand.

[Wellplayedsir]

If you have someone looking at the seal while you a pumping grease into the hub, you will see some grease escape from the lip or the seal will start to bulge. that is the sign to stop. the best part is you don't need to take the hub apart. Just take of the dust cap and put on the bearing savers, there are many videos on the subject.

[rohrmann]

Less than $20 for seals and a pound of grease, maybe $12, and a little time to do the work, so less than $40 to do the job. Some spray solvent and some shop rags might add a little to the cost. It's not that hard, especially with the hydraulic leveling system to raise the rig.
https://shop.redneck-trailer.com/p-2...-id-10-36.aspx
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-GR224T...a-494189488268

[TDeakins]

Originally Posted by twindman

Quite a few years ago, it cost me $200 at the dealer. Then up to $250 and I think last year it was $300 or 350 maybe. Sign at dealer says $265 PER AXLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He said parts are up - seal used to be $.50 is now $3.00 and other prices the same. However, there are not that many parts in a bearing pack.

Any others with examples. I have gone to these guys for 16 years and the last 4 years costs have skyrocketed. It started when they sold out to Everts RV that has 10-12 dealers in west coast. Then a year ago 3 of the 4 owners bought out Evert and prices went up again.
Thanks for listening to me whine!

The 1st the acquiring party dies following the acquisition is recover the cost of acquisition. Typically, this results in reduced customer service (staff reductions, cheaper parts, warranty claims denied, etc) and higher prices. Most M&As I’ve observed in the RV space are “defensive”, ie; buying out competitors and assimilating them into a common business model so as to leverage economies of scale and control a market (a.k.a., creating a monopoly). Often times the strategic goal for doing that is to set up for either a larger M&A or public offering. Either way, shareholders win while customers and employees lose. I’m seeing this a lot with RV campgrounds.

[LeftOverParts]

Quoted $345 for bearing repack and wet bolt lube on tandem axle with disc brakes from a local trailer shop. Seemed high so read up on this forum, watched a YouTube video, read the Dexter manual for recommended greases, and went the DIY route. Longest part was cleaning out some of the wet bolts so they took grease and replacing a couple broken grease fittings that snapped off during the process. Used a grease packer which made packing the bearings pretty simple.

[bshgto]

Pretty simple process. Gease seals and a tube of grease may be $15.00. You can find out how to do anything on You-Tube.