How Often to Pack Wheel Bearings

PokerCamper wrote:

bpounds wrote:
The jack you have would work fine too. Just put it right under the leaf spring, directly under the U-bolts, and jack one wheel up at a time. No need to use the jack stands if all you are doing is pumping up the EZ Lube fittings. You won't be placing your body under anything, and you won't be removing the tire/wheel.

bpounds, I found this image on the rv.net forum and presume this is what you're describing. I'm a visual person and haven't yet crawled under my RV to take a look at the wheels, but apart from the fact that this shows a bottle jack instead of a floor jack, I'm guessing this is the correct way to do it?



I thought about using the Trailer Aid ramp this first time for the very reason you mentioned, to get practice with it in case of roadside need (have read too many posts about Chinese bomb tires). But in case I find it too much of a PITA, I might just use the jack on the other side once I've gotten some practice positioning the RV on the ramp.

I don't know what GM uses but, both Ford and Dodge come with a screw type bottle jack that's perfect for this and you'll always have it with you. I put one of my leveling 2X6" boards under it. My axles are under the springs so I put the cup under one of the U-bolts. The long handle is easy to turn with the tire iron standing beside the trailer. Just a thought...

PokerCamper wrote:
Thanks everybody for all the help. I'm planning to do this on Saturday and looking forward to learning something new about my RV. :)

Roll the wheel and pump slowly. Too fast can force grease past the rear seal. You'll feel the resistance. Let it go in easy.

Count me in on the bearing neglector side. I repacked the bearings on our previous Eagle 5th wheel as the grease looked thick on inspection. On our current seven year old Jag, the grease is still soft and red with a quick peek behind the rubber cap. Just the same, I'll probably pull the hubs and repack this winter when it's cool and sunny here in Tampa.:B

Thanks everybody for all the help. I'm planning to do this on Saturday and looking forward to learning something new about my RV. :)

Yep, that's a good place to jack under.

Yep, I would imagine that is exactly what he was telling you, position the jack there and all should be good.

Edited to add, DO NOT get under when only held up by a bottle jack, don't be tempted to do a quick look underneath, if you get the urge to look over the underneath even just for curiosity sake, use proper stands or something that will prevent it from coming down on you!

bpounds wrote:
The jack you have would work fine too. Just put it right under the leaf spring, directly under the U-bolts, and jack one wheel up at a time. No need to use the jack stands if all you are doing is pumping up the EZ Lube fittings. You won't be placing your body under anything, and you won't be removing the tire/wheel.

bpounds, I found this image on the rv.net forum and presume this is what you're describing. I'm a visual person and haven't yet crawled under my RV to take a look at the wheels, but apart from the fact that this shows a bottle jack instead of a floor jack, I'm guessing this is the correct way to do it?



I thought about using the Trailer Aid ramp this first time for the very reason you mentioned, to get practice with it in case of roadside need (have read too many posts about Chinese bomb tires). But in case I find it too much of a PITA, I might just use the jack on the other side once I've gotten some practice positioning the RV on the ramp.

Crabbypatty wrote:
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....

My MO exactly!

Be sure you DO NOT put the jack in the center of the axle to attempt to raise the whole axle. Big no-no as the axle could be bent. On the end near the tire/wheel as others have stated is fine.

bpounds wrote:

PokerCamper wrote:
I just had another thought. I have a 4 inch ramp that I bought last year in the event that I need to replace a flat / blown tire while traveling. Can't I just hitch up the truck, pull up onto the ramp to lift the wheel I'm working on off the ground enough for it to rotate, and then reverse / repeat the process for the other three wheels? That way I've got the constant stability of being hitched to the truck and don't have to worry about jacking anything up.

That will work fine, and it's probably a good idea for you to do that, so you get some practice using that thing. The jack you have would work fine too. Just put it right under the leaf spring, directly under the U-bolts, and jack one wheel up at a time. No need to use the jack stands if all you are doing is pumping up the EZ Lube fittings. You won't be placing your body under anything, and you won't be removing the tire/wheel.

I would just use the jack, because hitching up and running back and forth over that trailer aid ramp would be a pain in my butt, but if you're going to rely on that gizmo, best get some practice so you know how/if it works.

A cheap bottle jack works fine, if you get the correct height. And the scissor jack for your truck probably works too.

I agree with bpounds, it would be much easier to just use a jack, barely lifting the tire. I have used the Trailer-Aid while doing the EZs, but my reason for doing so, was to adjust the brakes at the same time. It is easier to adjust brakes with nothing in the way of adjuster.

Jerry