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Old 01-28-2014, 10:15 PM   #1
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Greasing wheel bearings

I have a 2013 Sabre 34TBOK. Was curious if anyone has experience with greasing the wheel bearings and has any thoughts to share. Our camper is approaching 2 years old and I've never greased them.
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Old 01-29-2014, 07:45 AM   #2
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You probably have Lippert's 6,000 pound axles featuring the Sure Lube hub system. This allows you to take the dust cap off, pump in grease via the zerk fitting in center of hub. Old grease will come out the front of hub. Turn wheel while you are pumping in new grease. Wipe off old dirty grease and replace the dust seal. You have to rotate wheel. That means jacking up the wheel off the ground to do so. There are lots of videos on youtube that show how to do this. Sure Lube, EZ Lube, etc. They are all the same in the procedure.

Problem with the system is once the hub gets full and pressure in it from pumping in new grease till the old grease comes out front, the rear hub axle seals sometimes fail and leak. This gets grease all over the brake shoes and the brakes get poor performance and eventually fail. Just be aware of this and have your brakes tested, inspected, etc.

Surf around here, other forums, facebook, etc. There is lots of talk lately about failing inner grease seals on the axle hubs on Lippert's 6 and 7 thousand pound axles. These axles are on many brands and it is not just a Sabre thing.
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Old 01-29-2014, 08:11 AM   #3
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Try this
Attached Files
File Type: pdf om-trailer-axle-super-lube-add-web.pdf (575.7 KB, 496 views)
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Old 01-29-2014, 08:15 AM   #4
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I also have the ez lube axles. I repack the bearings and replace the seals once a year at the beginning of the season. If you do it yourself seals and grease will run only about $20. I use the ez lube fitting to pump grease in the axles before a long trip. As stated you need to be careful not to put too much grease in the axles because it can make the seals fail. I do repack every year since I inspect my axles and brakes every year and since I have the tire and drum off I might as well take the next step.
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Old 01-29-2014, 08:53 AM   #5
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Thanks. Each of these posts mention the seals failing; how would I determine if those have failed?
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Old 01-29-2014, 09:11 AM   #6
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The only visible sign would be grease at the bottom of the backing plate
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Old 01-29-2014, 09:30 AM   #7
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I have a 2010 Sierra 355QBQ fifth wheel and 3rd year now, I figured that I had better inspect and repack the wheel bearings. Not sure what kind of grease to use. I have had a lot of suggestions for Valvoline Crimson grease. I have also heard about a rated Drop temp on specific axles. Does any one have any suggestions.
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Old 01-29-2014, 09:48 AM   #8
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I worked at a duck club for many years and found that marine grease worked great for wheel bearings that get wet and have just continued using it.
I get tubes at NAPA dealer
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Old 01-29-2014, 10:22 AM   #9
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I inspect everything and repack each year as well. With at least 1 long trip per year I do it for peace of mind.
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Old 01-29-2014, 10:35 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by OKI Marine View Post
I have a 2010 Sierra 355QBQ fifth wheel and 3rd year now, I figured that I had better inspect and repack the wheel bearings. Not sure what kind of grease to use. I have had a lot of suggestions for Valvoline Crimson grease. I have also heard about a rated Drop temp on specific axles. Does any one have any suggestions.

I am a FIRM believer in Schaeffers products. IMO best there is. #2 grease and go. I think it's called #2 ultra
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Old 01-29-2014, 10:45 AM   #11
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Thanks for the comments on the greasing so far. I will welcome more suggestions. When you are out enjoying camping it is like out of sight out of mind until something comes up and it's to late.
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Old 01-29-2014, 07:55 PM   #12
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I am a FIRM believer in Schaeffers products. IMO best there is. #2 grease and go. I think it's called #2 ultra
IF you can find a rep, Schaeffer is excellent stuff! And they have a wide variety of products. Schaeffer Oil | Synthetic Motor Oils, Engine Oils, Diesel Fuel Additives, Industrial Lubricants Manufacturer

IF you look in the Lippert trailer axle operation and service manual, it states on page 7.......


Recommended Wheel Bearing Lubrication Specifications
Grease:
Thickener Type .................................................. ............ Lithium Complex
Dropping Point .................................................. . 230°C (446°F) minimum
Consistency .................................................. .......................... NLGI No. 2
Additives .......................................... EP, Corrosion & Oxidation Inhibitors
Base Oil .................................................. .. Solvent Refined Petroleum Oil
Base Oil Viscosity .........................@40°C (104°F) 150cSt(695 SUS) Min.
Viscosity Index .................................................. .................... 80 Minimum
Pour Point .................................................. ........... -10°C (14°F) Minimum
Approved Sources:
Mobil Oil .................................................. ........................ Mobilgrease HP
Exxon/Standard .................................................. ..................... Ronex MP
Kendall Refining Co. .................................................. .........Kendall L-427
Ashland Oil Co. .......................................... Valvoline Val-plex EP Grease
Pennzoil Prod. Co. ....................... Premium Wheel Bearing Grease 707L
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Old 01-30-2014, 06:45 AM   #13
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Has anyone used the Red Line CV 2 grease? What are your thoughts and where to get it?
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Old 01-30-2014, 08:37 AM   #14
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I've always greased through the zerk with no problems. Just go slow and steady. It also helps if you do it on a warm day - the grease flows better and is less likely to blow out around the seal.

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Old 01-30-2014, 08:58 AM   #15
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I had the rear seals leak. Did not know till going down a steep hill and no brakes on the TT. Many people use the zerks to grease the bearing without any problem. But if the rear seals do fail you cannot see the grease the only way of knowing is when the brakes don't work. I have removed the grease fittings and not remove the hubs and bearings and repack by hand. By doing it manually you do get to inspect the condition of the bearings.
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Old 01-30-2014, 09:58 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by indybp57 View Post
I've always greased through the zerk with no problems. Just go slow and steady. It also helps if you do it on a warm day - the grease flows better and is less likely to blow out around the seal.
X2. I've got 30,000 miles on my trailer now with no issues. I'd grease that puppy right away. The factory doesn't always put a lot of grease in there. But I waited until 25,000 miles to repack and inspect; everything was just fine.
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Old 01-30-2014, 10:43 AM   #17
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Remember your bearings are color blind. I change colors of top quality grease just so I know when I see new grease coming out of the bearing. If you hand pack, you should clean them, then pack new grease, no worry about when you have enough. It is also an open system, so if you pump slowly and spin the wheel (not at 30 mph as it hard for DW to keep up) then you should not have any pressure problem.
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Old 02-01-2014, 09:37 PM   #18
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When either pumping in grease or repacking remember to also inspect your suspension especially the shackles of you have leaf spring. Mine were almost all the way worn through before I knew to check them.

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