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Old 08-15-2012, 06:39 PM   #1
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Wheel Bearings repack

I have a 2011 Rockwood 2501S with Ultra-Lube Axles and Bearings .The owner manual and deal say to repack the bearings every 6 mount or 4000 miles.Why do you have to repack trailer wheel bearings so much??? Me car gos thru mud,snow,water and Michs pot hole filled roads and only repack my bears about 30000 to 40000 miles.
Are car wheel bears that much better???

P.S. My deal will repack my bearings for $260.
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Old 08-15-2012, 06:46 PM   #2
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It is a generic recommendation to cover their butts for warranty.
No one is going to repack that often, and they know it, so they have an out if a problem arises.
And if you have the ultra-lube axles, I wouldn't bother to take them apart for a cleaning and repack before 10,000 miles, although I would check the bearing slack every year.
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Old 08-15-2012, 06:50 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Alton View Post
I have a 2011 Rockwood 2501S with Ultra-Lube Axles and Bearings .The owner manual and deal say to repack the bearings every 6 mount or 4000 miles.Why do you have to repack trailer wheel bearings so much??? Me car gos thru mud,snow,water and Michs pot hole filled roads and only repack my bears about 30000 to 40000 miles.
Are car wheel bears that much better???

P.S. My deal will repack my bearings for $260.
your car doesnt weight 6 7 or 13 thousand pounds. and gets driven everyday .
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Old 08-15-2012, 06:51 PM   #4
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What is bearing slack ??

And how do You check it ??
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Old 08-15-2012, 06:57 PM   #5
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... My dealer will repack my bearings for $260.

Shoot, I'd just about drive to MI for that job. Takes a big jack & a grease gun and about 45 minutes counting a smoke break. Oh, forgot, need a phillips screwdriver too!
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Old 08-15-2012, 06:57 PM   #6
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never heard of bearing "slack"
wheel bearing "play" is the bearing not tight enough .
when jacked up take the wheel and try to rock it back and forth from side to side .
although it should move just a itsy bit noticeable rocking is not good
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Old 08-15-2012, 07:13 PM   #7
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never heard of bearing "slack"
wheel bearing "play" is the bearing not tight enough .
when jacked up take the wheel and try to rock it back and forth from side to side .
although it should move just a itsy bit noticeable rocking is not good

Slack, play, makes no difference to me what you want to call it.
But your description of checking it is reasonable.
If it is too slack, there is a crown nut on the axle stub that is held in place by a cotter pin. Remove the pin, and turn the nut in until the slack is removed, then reinstall the cotter pin.
There should be just the slightest bit off movement as you rock the hub back and forth.
It is a fairly easy job, and I have done it hundreds of times, but it still may spook the novice, as it is important to do it right.
Considering how seldom it needs to be done, you might want to pay the price.
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Old 08-15-2012, 07:20 PM   #8
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Considering how seldom it needs to be done, you might want to pay the price.
$260.00? NO WAY!! Don't know any mech that wouldn't make a 'housecall' for half that!
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Old 08-15-2012, 07:31 PM   #9
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My local rv repair man charges 100.00 + parts for wheel bearing repack.
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Old 08-15-2012, 07:44 PM   #10
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Well, I do. There are lots of qualified people out there that are short of work.
Besides, I believe the price quote was from the OP's dealer.
Understand it was a dealer quote for a gigantic rip off! What mech. wouldn't do it for $130.00 and come to the house?
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Old 08-15-2012, 08:29 PM   #11
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The dealer in S.E. Mich are charging $ 110 and hour.

And paying the workers $16 and hour.
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Old 08-16-2012, 08:27 AM   #12
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I just had my front bearings repacked on my F250 when I had new breaks installed by Ford. It cost $50.00 bucks and included the seals. That sounds high to me. I would take it to a break shop and have it done, forget an RV dealer
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Old 08-16-2012, 08:37 AM   #13
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I had a jayco for 14 years. Took hubs off after nine years, replaced bearings, brakes, and ran it another 5 years before trading with no problems. I tighten the nut with a 12 inch wrench without spinning, back off the nut and finger tighten. It has always worked.
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Old 08-16-2012, 09:29 AM   #14
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Predictably, people are all over the map on this issue (like so many others!) I've got over 25,000 on my Surveyor and all I do is pump in new some new grease twice a year (especially before big trips). Twice, I have pumped until new grease comes out. My hubs run nice and cool. I wouldn't get too worked up about it. Just make sure you have grease in the bearings.
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Old 08-16-2012, 09:51 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by bakken View Post
Slack, play, makes no difference to me what you want to call it.
But your description of checking it is reasonable.
If it is too slack, there is a crown nut on the axle stub that is held in place by a cotter pin. Remove the pin, and turn the nut in until the slack is removed, then reinstall the cotter pin.
There should be just the slightest bit off movement as you rock the hub back and forth.
It is a fairly easy job, and I have done it hundreds of times, but it still may spook the novice, as it is important to do it right.
Considering how seldom it needs to be done, you might want to pay the price.
Timken bearings calls it (Preload). Youroo!!
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Old 08-19-2012, 07:40 PM   #16
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When to repack wheel bearings/replace brakes

Reading this post has not really given me a clear black and white answer. I am the second owner of a 2005 Cherokee 27L. Being the second owner not much manufacture paperwork was found in it. I purchased it from a RV dealer in February of 2010. I have no clue if the bearing were repacked by the former owner and not sure if the dealer would have records anymore if they did it while sitting there for sale. Are there any symptoms that would suggest repacking is needed? Most likely the brake pads are original too. I don't notice anything obvious when pulling it now. Just trying to think ahead and take care of my camper.

Mark
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Old 08-19-2012, 07:51 PM   #17
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kjoh, since you have no idea how many miles are on the camper, would it not be wise to have the hubs removed, bearings cleaned, and everything inspected for wear? How much value would you put on safety? I value it highly.
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Old 08-19-2012, 08:32 PM   #18
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We had a RV shop repack our bearing. They put the wheels on too tight. Had a bearing go because there was no play. Ended up costing $3000 to correct the problem after the bearing over heated taking out the brakes and cracking the hub. If you trust the dealer doing the work $230 is cheep insurance to have a safe trailer while traveling. When the bearing let go you cannot tow the trailer until it is replaced and the trailer can only be moved on a low boy trailer. The same type to trailer used to move heavy machinery.
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Old 11-18-2012, 08:34 PM   #19
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We tow 8 to 10K per year and have the wheel bearings repacked annually. Repacking includes not only the bearings, but also checking and adjusting the brakes.

Agree with Bakken and Caper, safety has no cost.
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Old 11-24-2012, 07:40 PM   #20
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Adjusted the brakes and repacked the bearing on our trailer today. First time to adjust the brakes, about 7000 on the trailer. Shoot a little grease to the bearings every 1000 miles.
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