Maintenance Question Bearings and Brakes

[wicked1]

How often to you repack bearings and inspect the breaks? I bought a 2013 Used Crusader with Dexter axles but don't think this unit had much driving time on it but wondering if once a year is ok to repack bearings. I usually do less than 3500 miles per year

[railroaderone]

Once a year is what the manual calls for

[jaherbst]

Yes, but I would do it first to make sure bearings are alright. More problems with over greasing than less .

Jack

[DaveSchwartz]

I travel about 2 to 3 thousand miles a year and my purchase dealer recommends every 2nd year. That's where my 5er is right now. He also recommends not to add grease via the fitting because he sees too many blown seals and fouled brakes from that.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by DaveSchwartz

I travel about 2 to 3 thousand miles a year and my purchase dealer recommends every 2nd year. That's where my 5er is right now. He also recommends not to add grease via the fitting because he sees too many blown seals and fouled brakes from that.

So what pulled the bearings off and re-pack them manually? Is that what they suggest?

[PhoneDude 8289]

After purchasing and getting it home (1200 mi trip) I pulled wheels and drums. Found two seals had leaked a good amount of grease on the back plate, had not touched the breaks yet. I cleaned, hand packed the bearings and installed four new seals. I do this every year. I removed the grease zerks and installed plugs.

[Coolharts]

I repacked all of mine this weekend and surprisingly the factory installed plenty of grease. Use a good grease and repacking should not be but an every 3rd year project. Think about older car bearings, they were repacked every brake job.

[NMWildcat]

I have always repacked by hand and inspected anything suspension EVERY year. Amazing what potential failures you find underneath the rig that will prevent problems on down the road

Every year might be overkill if you don't tow a lot, but why tempt fate by stretching out a service that is so easy and affordable?

[Davidg]

I've done mine every other year, which has worked out well. Each time I pull the hubs I have been pleased with the condition of the bearings, seals and brakes. Although my CC fiver brakes do not perform very well, so I replaced them with disc brakes last week, but that's another thread topic.

[jeff64]

I did mine 2 weeks ago. The stuff was really runny when I scooped it out, which kinda surprised me. No evidence of water contamination though, just runny like ketchup. The seals were a real bugger to get out, since I didn't want to use the old school method of removing outer bearing, thread on nut and use hub to beat it out which is sure to screw up a probably good bearing. There was some weepage of grease from the seal, but not a deal breaker. I get it why the stealers charge a good buck to do the job!

[Coolharts]

Originally Posted by jeff64

I did mine 2 weeks ago. The stuff was really runny when I scooped it out, which kinda surprised me. No evidence of water contamination though, just runny like ketchup. The seals were a real bugger to get out, since I didn't want to use the old school method of removing outer bearing, thread on nut and use hub to beat it out which is sure to screw up a probably good bearing. There was some weepage of grease from the seal, but not a deal breaker. I get it why the stealers charge a good buck to do the job!

A seal removing tool is what you needed:

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-56750-S.../dp/B0002SRCKG

[MacDR]

X2 my dealer says every 10,000 miles.. I had my 14 340rk repacked last fall Just finished a Wisconsin to Florida run.. next year New tires,

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by DaveSchwartz

I travel about 2 to 3 thousand miles a year and my purchase dealer recommends every 2nd year. That's where my 5er is right now. He also recommends not to add grease via the fitting because he sees too many blown seals and fouled brakes from that.

Not sure one year vs two, but I learned the hard way, how to blow out the rear seals. Before you start pumping grease into the wheel, READ THE DEXTER INSTRUCTIONS.

ON OUR OLD TRAILER, THE BIG PRINT SAID "BE SURE YOU ROTATE THE WHEEL WHILE GREASING.!!!! AND DON'T OVER GREASE." OR words to that effect.

[wicked1]

How are the brakes to work on? Greasing is simple just have to take your time but I don't know anything about these magnetic drums

[satdog01]

Hand pack my bearing every 5k miles or once a year which ever comes first. Try and line it up so it happens in spring. X2 on seal removal tool, picked mine up at AutoZone a few years back. Good time to check out condition of brake shoes , test them for adjustment.
Have a god feelin of good camping season when that is behind me.

[Davidg]

Originally Posted by jeff64

I did mine 2 weeks ago. The stuff was really runny when I scooped it out, which kinda surprised me. No evidence of water contamination though, just runny like ketchup. The seals were a real bugger to get out, since I didn't want to use the old school method of removing outer bearing, thread on nut and use hub to beat it out which is sure to screw up a probably good bearing. There was some weepage of grease from the seal, but not a deal breaker. I get it why the stealers charge a good buck to do the job!

Not sure why the grease would be "runny". My grease is thick and tacky at ambient temps. I'm sure it thins out somewhat as the hub gets hot from braking. As for seal removal, I bought an inexpensive tool that pulls them out easily without touching the bearing. Bends the seal up, but I don't care about that since they are going in the trash anyway. Never beat on a bearing you want to re-use. Tool is just a few bucks from Harbor freight. Probably won't last me but a hundred years or so....
fwiw; I recently installed disc brakes on my fiver. Also replaced the bearings with Timney bearings and used a synthetic grease. I should be good to go for a couple of years now.

[Comanchecreek]

https://youtu.be/oeIJzoLJ2Go


There are a ton of Threads on this forum about bearing lube.

This is the recommendation by Dexter, and if you notice he is greasing a Crusader. At least the wheels look the same. As long as your grease seals are good this will adequately keep your bearings lubed. The axles are designed when you pump in the grease to push the grease from the back through the bearings to the front. Liquefied grease inside is a sign that someone used regular Lithium grease instead of high temperature bearing grease. If it is liquefied soak it up with a towel or pull the cap off and allow it to drain. I use Lucas XTra heavy duty high speed bearing grease. Being you purchased a used rig, I would be inclined to pull the drums and do an initial pack on the bearings and put in new grease seals. When reassembled I would then follow this procedure. You will also be able to see if any grease is on the brakes and clean that up if necessary. That's probably as important as the bearing lube.

[Coolharts]

When I repacked the Surveyor's wheels I also did my car hauler's, I found moisture in one wheel, I don't remember it being in deep water or a heavy rain storm but this is the first time in 7 years I have packed them. But... that trailer rarely moves out of the driveway. I am getting ready to take it 700 miles so the old tires are replaced and bearings are packed.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by Comanchecreek

https://youtu.be/oeIJzoLJ2Go


There are a ton of Threads on this forum about bearing lube.

This is the recommendation by Dexter, and if you notice he is greasing a Crusader. At least the wheels look the same. As long as your grease seals are good this will adequately keep your bearings lubed. The axles are designed when you pump in the grease to push the grease from the back through the bearings to the front. Liquefied grease inside is a sign that someone used regular Lithium grease instead of high temperature bearing grease. If it is liquefied soak it up with a towel or pull the cap off and allow it to drain. I use Lucas XTra heavy duty high speed bearing grease. Being you purchased a used rig, I would be inclined to pull the drums and do an initial pack on the bearings and put in new grease seals. When reassembled I would then follow this procedure. You will also be able to see if any grease is on the brakes and clean that up if necessary. That's probably as important as the bearing lube.

I will but if you get freeze on the brakes or there is already grease on there, after you wipe off most of it can you use brake cleaner to clear the rest?.

I might do this in July I have two local trips but then all of July to do this, have to get it done before November as we have long trip then and Disney in December so want new tires and wheels Fully inspected and taken care of by then.

[Tall frog]

we have about 17,000 miles on our Rockwood and I have checked the hubs at every stop, never had a hot one so never pulled the hubs. Well we are leaving soon for a 6,00 plus mile trip and I thought it would be a good idea to repack the bearings and check the breaks well to my surprise all was so good that after a cleaning and under a magnifying glass could not find even a scratch on one roller. So repacked by hand with synthetic grease and new seals we are back in business. with all the bashing of rv mfg. and part suppliers I wanted to say how pleased I was to see the great condition the hubs were in. lots of thing do get done correct and with pride.