When to repack bearings?

[bernt]

In my opinion repacking your bearings every 2 years is fine. However, my Forest River dealer doesn't give a rip about my opinion (or yours).

I lost a rear wheel, wrecked an axle and took out part of the side of my 2016 Wildcat Maxx when a bearing failed. I hadn't noticed that my manual said to repack every 12 months (my bad). It had been 18 months since the bearings were done so my warranty didn't cover it. Fortunately, after a long fight, the insurance company paid $2600 of it so it softened the blow somewhat. Hope to have a TPMS with temperature sensing before going out again.

[dward51]

Originally Posted by Stetay

So where can I find that video for the wheel bearings?

There are a ton of them on Youtube. Here are several from e-Trailer, Dexter, and others.... You can pack by hand, but there is a neat tool made by Lisle called a Handy Packer that works well also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfZMVZX_rjM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnH-h3W9XvI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ZhZBSY7hI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3J4NSFTnY4

[babock]

Originally Posted by rlh1957

As far as factory bearings being good or just adequate...
I believe Dexter uses quality bearings in their axle and hub manf. assembly.
I don't remember Dexter's name being brought up in the same paragraph as failure, early wear or sub-standard.

Made in China. I replaced mine with US made Timken.

[razzle408]

Mystic JT6 all I will use.

[herbpagel]

I used to put a dust cap with a zerk on my trailer wheels. I thought I was saving money. Now, I only do that on utility trailers with no brakes. I took one camper to the local service station to have the bearings re packed and when the mechanic removed the first wheel, the brakes fell out from being rusted. So I had them replace all the brakes on both axles. I don't remember the cost, but I'm sure it was less than the cost of the accident that never happened would have been. I think it's worth the cost to have a mechanic do it and put eyes on the bearings, brakes, etc. once in a while. It doesn't have to be every year, but I have found out that sitting year in and year out is worse on the bearings and brakes than being in use. Besides, it's one of those things I can't do any more because of my aging back and knees.

[Cmmjmoore]

I have repacked mine a couple of times on our 7 year old Surveyor, first time was a journey of discovery for me. Second time I watched a You Tube video first which was very helpful. The link is listed below. I have to say if I could get it done up here for $250.00 I would go that route. Austin area shop time at most RV repair places is $150.00 an hour. So I avoid them as much as possible. Good luck.
https://youtu.be/H3J4NSFTnY4

[kraut]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

It has been this way as far back as I can remember. All cars and trucks with standard rear differentials lubed the rear ball bearings with 80-90 weight gear oil. You followed the manufacturers suggested schedule to repack the front tapered wheel bearings (also known as thrust bearings). This changed when manufacturers switched from tapered roller bearings to sealed ball bearings in the front wheel assemblies.

Attached is a photo of the bearing packer that many backyard mechanics and farm owners used to pack the tapered roller and unsealed ball bearings.

I am surprised that many people of the age of 50 and up don't remember this. It wasn't that many years ago when you still had to grease the needle roller bearings in the u-joints of front axle shafts of 4x4's and rear wheel drive shafts.

I still have mine that I bought back in 1970

[RET.LEO]

One year or every 10,000 miles

[jas451]

I had them re-packed @ approximately 5,000 miles, and was told that that was about right.....every 5,000-6,000 miles.

[wanderer26]

NMWildcat, your are wrong. My fifth wheel is a 2018 and has permantly packed bearings. No need to repack just like the newer trucks.

[NMWildcat]

Well it's about time that the manufacturers start doing that (permanent type sealed bearings). I hope you are correct, I just haven't heard of or seen any towable RV using them. But, I learn something new every day, and twice on Sundays
But for the majority of us, periodic repacking is still a reality.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by wanderer26

NMWildcat, your are wrong. My fifth wheel is a 2018 and has permantly packed bearings. No need to repack just like the newer trucks.

I'd like to see a photo of the axle tag.
I'd like to know for sure what axle they are using that has permanently sealed bearings.

[wanderer26]

I was talking to the wife the other night about repacking the bearings this fall before we head west for the winter. I looked through all my paperwork and found the paper that stated along with a diagrahm that my fiver had permant packed bearings. I have 2018 flagstaff 8528ikws. It has dexter torlink axles. I would provide pics but don’t know how to do it on my ipad. I have no laptop and don’t want one.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by wanderer26

I was talking to the wife the other night about repacking the bearings this fall before we head west for the winter. I looked through all my paperwork and found the paper that stated along with a diagrahm that my fiver had permant packed bearings. I have 2018 flagstaff 8528ikws. It has dexter torlink axles. I would provide pics but don’t know how to do it on my ipad. I have no laptop and don’t want one.

You must have the Nev-R-Lube axles.

[wanderer26]

Yes it is nev-r-lube sealed cartridge bearing system. I had to look it up again.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by wanderer26

Yes it is nev-r-lube sealed cartridge bearing system. I had to look it up again.

Very cool. Here is what e-trailer says. https://www.etrailer.com/question-233887.html

Now, I'm curious as to why these aren't more widely used.....

[babock]

They are similar to the Vault hubs that are out. Vault hubs are often used on boat trailers now. My brother had them on his triple axle torsion axle trailer.

[wanderer26]

NMWildcat, thanks for that info from etrailer. That was good to know.

[RET.LEO]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Very cool. Here is what e-trailer says. https://www.etrailer.com/question-233887.html

Now, I'm curious as to why these aren't more widely used.....

Considering the price......well it would be the price. That sure would buy a lot of grease, bearings as needed.
Put in a good set of Timkens, inspect and service the old fashioned way and be a lot of money ahead. As they advertise "contaminate resistant" not "proof" hmmmm.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by RET.LEO

Considering the price......well it would be the price. That sure would buy a lot of grease, bearings as needed.
Put in a good set of Timkens, inspect and service the old fashioned way and be a lot of money ahead. As they advertise "contaminate resistant" not "proof" hmmmm.

Not very many things are advertised a "xxxx-proof anymore. Lawyers now read advertising claims before consumers get to see. Watches used to be advertised as waterproof. No more and even Dive/Swim watches show depths to which they are limited to as an example.

Too many variables beyond mfr's control and lots of hungry lawyers looking to impress their firm's partners.