Wheel bearings When to repack

Dave H M, we won't be leaving for our trip for 3 or 4 weeks. If the weather cools off I might tackle the project. If it stays warm then I will do them when we return. Hopefully all will be good.

Thanks

Ray

I just recently checked the bearings/brakes on my 2012 Sabre 5th wheel for the first time mainly because my break controller was giving errors of current overload on the trailer brakes. When I took the first drum off I discovered the issue and that was there was no retaining clip on the brake magnet and it was constantly rubbing on the drum and the magnet was in bad shape and one wire was broken. After repairing the issue I did the 3 other wheels and guess what the retaining clip was missing on those as well, there were signs of some ware on the magnets but not bad enough to replace at this time. I called a couple of trailer/RV shops to get replacement clips and they were in some ways saying that the clips are not really necessary but from my point of view the clip keeps the brake magnet just off the brake drum not to wear it down during travel IMHO. Just thought I would pass this on to all you fellow RV'ers.

Cheers.

So what are we gonna do now Ray? :h

I want to say thank you to all for the replies. I really do appreciate the feedback.

Again thanks

Ray

alboy wrote:
Pack my own bearings every 3 yrs 20000 miles, lots of grease in the bearings, kind of a waste of time except there always seems to be worn out magnets, or wires frayed in the drums from the junk put on.

Personally, I had my fill of grease working on a farm, so let the local trailer shop do it. It's a whole lot faster and I know they'll do a better job than me, because they do it every **** day. :-) All new bearings and seals, packed with grease and brake adjustment for about $250, of which about $130-140 was parts. :-)

Lyle

Pack my own bearings every 3 yrs 20000 miles, lots of grease in the bearings, kind of a waste of time except there always seems to be worn out magnets, or wires frayed in the drums from the junk put on.

azdryheat wrote:
When was the last time any of us repacked the bearings in our tow vehicles? Aren't they the same?

No, they're not the same. I haven't had repackable bearings on a vehicle (besides trailers) since the 1980's. FWD and 4WD vehicles.

To the op, bearing maintence questions are posted here at least once a month and there are pages and pages of answers. Some good advice (even if you don't agree with it) some bad advice and some that can only be described as absurd.

Dexter recommends every year or 12000 miles. That's my schedule because it's a ridiculously easy and cheap insurance for a trouble free camping season. This migh be overkill and I guess if I had to pay someone to do the job I might extend it to 2 or 3 years.

BTW, most trailer brakes are not self adjusting, so this is a great opportunity for brake cleaning, inspection and adjusting.

When I purchased our Jayco Eagle 13 yrs. ago, I took it to Les Schwab Tire and asked them to check all the bearing and grease.

One would think that just out of the factory, critical issues such as this would not be an issue. I stood next to the tech at Les Schwab and observed how next to no grease was in the bearings.

I now have them done every three years unless I hear strange new sounds. This year was the bearing/grease year. Found a break pad extremely loose.

We put about 5K miles on fiver per year.

I waited about 45,000 miles and 8 years before doing them.
And then it was a total waste of time.

I'm in the every two year category.