How Often to Pack Wheel Bearings

I just contacted the dealer where the previous owner of our 2012 Cougar FW bought it and they have no maintenance record of the wheel bearings or anything else for that matter. Now I'm really concerned since we're under the gun for departing for our 2 week vacation a week from now. Of course, as I predicted, the dealer can't possibly get us in for an appointment before we leave so I'm worried and don't know what my next option is since I don't have the knowledge, skills, or tools to do this myself. Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.

MTPockets1 wrote:
In some respects it's a game of odds. My career of 40 yrs was in the bearing business so I know about bearings and proper lubrication. Your mechanic is right based on the way most all owners maintain their wheels. In between trips your rig will be stationary. The lubrication of your bearings is the oil in the grease. Think of grease like a sponge; grease is a sponge, wheel bearing grease is a lithium base, a carrier that holds the oil in place. Sitting for long periods, some of the oil will separate from the grease and when the wheels actually turn after that long period of being idle, there is a microscopic scar that can be made on the bearing raceway. That scar is like a defect on a blacktop road. Once it starts it grows faster as traffic runs over the scar and soon there is a pothole; or bearing failure. Rotating the wheels in storage will help prevent these scars from starting, as will taking the load off the wheels. As stated earlier, most will not do this so the best alternative is to repack annually. There are other factors, such as moisture due to changes in temperature and humidity that can affect corrosion rate. Temperature changes during storage can cause moisture to build and as that oil leaves the bearing surface they can start to rust. Again, microscopic in nature but can occur and cause premature wear and eventual failure.

Good post and thanks. We have a 2001 alpenlite with the original brakes and wheel bearings. Every other year the bearings get repacked and will be done next week. Your comment about sitting is how we rv now. 6 months in Az and 6 months sitting at home. something that makes me think I am doing the wrong thinking. Might see a problem when the repack is done next week. thanks again

chevman

OK, I am now completely freaking out. We leave on our first trip of the year a week from tomorrow and it's going to be about 1500 miles. My fiver is a 2012 that we bought used last June and it has been parked since October. The previous owner was obsessed with maintenance and had it serviced every fall by the dealer so I know it's been taken care of, but I'm concerned about the suggestion that the bearings be packed annually. I handled the winterizing and other seasonal issues OK, but am not a mechanic and wouldn't remotely consider doing this myself for fear of doing something wrong. At the same time, I probably don't have time to make an appointment and have this done for me before we leave. Somebody please tell me that we're OK so I can stop worrying. :)

MFL wrote:

dave17352 wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
A couple pumps would be plenty with that few of miles. I know you don't want to over do it. JMHO

A couple pumps will do almost nothing. The grease goes in the backside between the seal and the rear bearing. To do a proper job you need to jack it up and rotate the wheel while pumping grease in my hand. It will take about 1/2 a tube to fill the cavity between the bearings and force some grease through and out of the front bearing. This is how they work. Once filled then a few pumps might do the job. I prefer to pack mine the old fashioned way.

B.O.

I assumed they had grease in them all ready. He has been using the trailer.

B.O. is likely correct, as many new trailers, including mine, have barely enough grease in the new bearings, to get them delivered to the dealer. It may take 50 pumps, to fill the EZ-lube system, yes, half a tube.

In any case, you need to add to the EZ-lube, until you see grease movement around the outer bearing, by the grease gun tip.

Once the hub cavity has been filled, you should see some grease movement after just several strokes of the gun.

Jerry

Okay you fellows are probably correct then. Seems silly any manufacturer would send the units out like that.

dave17352 wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
A couple pumps would be plenty with that few of miles. I know you don't want to over do it. JMHO

A couple pumps will do almost nothing. The grease goes in the backside between the seal and the rear bearing. To do a proper job you need to jack it up and rotate the wheel while pumping grease in my hand. It will take about 1/2 a tube to fill the cavity between the bearings and force some grease through and out of the front bearing. This is how they work. Once filled then a few pumps might do the job. I prefer to pack mine the old fashioned way.

B.O.

I assumed they had grease in them all ready. He has been using the trailer.

B.O. is likely correct, as many new trailers, including mine, have barely enough grease in the new bearings, to get them delivered to the dealer. It may take 50 pumps, to fill the EZ-lube system, yes, half a tube.

In any case, you need to add to the EZ-lube, until you see grease movement around the outer bearing, by the grease gun tip.

Once the hub cavity has been filled, you should see some grease movement after just several strokes of the gun.

Jerry

I repack at the beginning of every season as well as tend to anything else it needs, like painting the frame, checking batteries and connections, looking over roof and window seals, checking tires, light bulbs, sanitizing water system etc. It usually takes me one long Saturday or spread out over the weekend. Its all part of the season preflight. After that we top off the booze, put beer in the fridge, snacks in the pantry and get ready to roll....

B.O. Plenty wrote:

dave17352 wrote:
A couple pumps would be plenty with that few of miles. I know you don't want to over do it. JMHO

A couple pumps will do almost nothing. The grease goes in the backside between the seal and the rear bearing. To do a proper job you need to jack it up and rotate the wheel while pumping grease in my hand. It will take about 1/2 a tube to fill the cavity between the bearings and force some grease through and out of the front bearing. This is how they work. Once filled then a few pumps might do the job. I prefer to pack mine the old fashioned way.

B.O.

I assumed they had grease in them all ready. He has been using the trailer.

dave17352 wrote:
A couple pumps would be plenty with that few of miles. I know you don't want to over do it. JMHO

A couple pumps will do almost nothing. The grease goes in the backside between the seal and the rear bearing. To do a proper job you need to jack it up and rotate the wheel while pumping grease in my hand. It will take about 1/2 a tube to fill the cavity between the bearings and force some grease through and out of the front bearing. This is how they work. Once filled then a few pumps might do the job. I prefer to pack mine the old fashioned way.

B.O.

A couple pumps would be plenty with that few of miles. I know you don't want to over do it. JMHO

So I have Lippert Axles and there is a rubber cap covering a zerk fitting. I am thinking these are bearing buddies or whatever (Actually EZ Lube)...but do I just squirt a few pumps of grease into this every year or so. Trailer is one year old with 2500-3000 miles on it. Any suggestions?