I always bite the bullet and pay to have them packed. Too many folks posting issues with blown out seals and grease on the brakes to make we want to risk that happening. Just got mine down last week to the tune of $300 + but included brake inspection, adjustment and electrical check of the brake system.
David,Wife,4 kids,SIL,1 grandchild
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 7.3 PSD w/3.73 rear end
Jayco Kiwi Too 30T bunkhouse w/triple bunks
Prodigy Controller
Reese Dual Cam HP
Michelin LTX M/S
2001 F150 SuperCrew
I just do not understand why camper wheel bearings need so much service. Mine do not get it. My last fifth wheel, I got hinky and did the brakes and seals after 6 or 7 years. The bearings looked like new when I did them. After many years I decided to do the bearings and seals on my tasndem axle cargo trailer this year. Bearings were still like new and the inners said made in china on them.
What makes the bearing maintenance so different than the front wheels on the tow truck. I did the bearings on the truck at 130+K, since I had it apart to do ball joints and brake pads. Those bearings were like new also.
However, at each rest stop I do check all tire and wheel center temperatures.
I suppose I will get the pay me now or pay me later or the it is just good insurance pitch. Don't get me wrong, it sure would not hurt to do them every 6 months, providing that sooner or later one of those "techs" don't mess up the job.
Dave, I repack every year because that is what the axle manufacturer recommends. And I figure their engineers know what is best for their product. And unlike you, I am not lucky enough to let things go for 6 or 7 years and not expect to have a problem.
And this annual bearing maintenance is included as part of the annual bearing/seal/brake,linkage,shoe/spring/drum/magnet/wiring inspection and brake adjustment. I find that every year, I need to free up at least one brake adjuster anyway. Even though I use anti-seize on them.
Works for me, gives me peace of mind, and I have not had any problems on the road with failed bearings.
2006 F350 V10 4X4 SC SB SRW 4.30 22,500 GCWR
Keystone Sprinter 33'9" 12,500 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Super Duty, Super Cab, SuperGlide
A couple parked next to us the other day and their TT was on 3 wheels. He said he hadn't felt a thing when the tire and wheel took off. The backing plate and shoes were black from the heat. The bearings do need attention from time to time
2008 Dodge 3500 CTD LB SRW 4X4 6-Speed Auto
P3 Blue Ox Sway Pro
2007 Komfort 212
Bearings/Hubs chapter begins page 45
Greasing ez-lube bearings is on page 54
Awesome info. Thanks. Really clear on how to D-I-Y. Will be looking at the trailer book, and under it tonight. 07 Jayco, not sure what axles used, but I think the info is universal.
what i ended up doing was taking everything apart, doing a visual inspection, and packing the bearings.
Once everything was back together, I put the grease gun on the zerk fittings and filled until grease started oozing out around the nut and retainer. I did this before reading in my other post that it is probably not necessary and could even be detrimental if the axel seal doesn't hold - hopefully that won't be the case and these darn ez-lube axles will work as advertised.
* This post was
edited 07/16/09 08:17pm by foghat *
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