Periodic cleaning/repacking wheel bearings

[Canadiancrew]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

I recall the same thing. As a result, I do not do it every year, more like every 3-4 years, "Just Because".

I also DO NOT push grease in through the zerk fitting! If they are packed correctly it is not necessary and all that can result in is over greasing and ruined brakes.

The Key words here are "packed correctly". I am not sure the folks putting these things out of the factory know how to pack a bearing. When I first looked at my bearings there was very little grease in them. I think they put a few pumps in through the zerk before it leaves the factory. Even our dealer said when I told him I was going to make a long trip when we got our new trailer "check and grease your bearings" multiple times. He knows I do my own maintence.

[RogerD]

I disassembled and repacked mine the second year at about 10,000 mile because I was hearing a little noise and one hub was running 15 degrees hotter than the other 5. I found a loose magnet and slightly damaged brake pad. Now that I know they are packed and assembled properly I will not open them back up for another 10,000 miles. Every spring I will jack them up so I can spin them listening for noise and checking the bearing tension. When traveling I check the hub temperature with my laser gun at every fuel stop.