I have just acquired a model KK460SS. I find in doing basic service, that the wheel bearings are sealed units. Any ideas as to how I can tell if they need replaced? I find no play. But, I also do not know how many miles are on this unit. The manual states they are warranted for three years. The unit is now 7 years old. Thanks in advance.

Those are almost "lifetime" bearings, much the same as wheel bearings on any modern car. Sealed and maintenance free. If you spin the wheel and it is free, no grinding noises or roughness, and there is no play, then they are fine.Brian

WOW! That was fast! Thanks Brian!

eieioh wrote:I have just acquired a model KK460SS. I find in doing basic service, that the wheel bearings are sealed units. Any ideas as to how I can tell if they need replaced? I find no play. But, I also do not know how many miles are on this unit. The manual states they are warranted for three years. The unit is now 7 years old. Thanks in advance.eieioh, Well Sir, while they're in many cases, supposed to be "lifetime", it doesn't always work out that way. I have replaced many "sealed" bearings on multiple apparatus, including autos, motorcycles, CAT ENGINE SERPENTINE TENSIONER AND IDLER bearings and much more. The first thing you need to remember here is, THEY'RE CHEAP! No matter what they cost, replacing them right now, while you're comfortable, at home, you're own tools, no emergency situations, better working conditions than if you had to do it, while on the road, (road side too), camp site, parking lot, back street, alley, etc. etc. etc. Now, does it mean they're bad right now, nope, not at all. And, spinning a wheel bearing with a wheel and tire on, can MASK small noises and problems that can be sort of "muffled" or, dampened by the weight of the tire and wheel. On normal (tapered wheel bearings) bearings, obviously you can disassemble the hub, remove and clean all the bearings so that a very close inspection of each of the bearings can be observed for pitting, damage, flat spots etc. But, you cannot see any of those in a sealed bearing. All you can really do is, remove the bearing from the hub and, spin it in your hands etc. while feeling it's action and, listening to hear if there's any form of issues. Will you find or hear any, well, only you can tell that. We cannot tell you if they're bad or good, based on just because it's a "sealed" bearing. Sealed bearings go bad all over the planet, all day long. I'm not "dissing" anyone elses answers here. I'm only advising you to be cautious in this instance for a couple of reasons. One, mainly because you just purchased this dolly and, really have no knowledge of it's treatment or, any real maintenance done on it. Second, you say it's warranty is three years but, it's SEVEN years old? Well, again, if it were me, no matter what they presented on as close of an inspection as you can do, I'd simply replace them. That way, you will know for sure, just what kind of condition the most important part of that dolly is in without a doubt. Hope maybe some of this info helps. Your choice.Scott

I have over 51,000 miles on my 10 year old KarKaddy SS and the bearing are still doing fine. I'm not sure how many more miles they will hold up but hope for a long time.Dave

IF it were me, I would just replace the bearings. Easier to do in the garage then out in the desert on a bright sunny day.

Sealed Wheel Bearing on Demco Kar-Kaddy SS | Good Sam Community

FIRE_UP
Explorer
Nov 02, 2017
Rerler32 wrote:
I just broke down today with a bad wheel bearing hub on my Kar Kaddy 3, same sealed hub. My dolly is about 16 months old. I noticed my wheel was tilted out on top and felt the hub and it was very hot. I took the car off and limped it to a trailer repair shop and it took them along time to locate parts to replace the hub bearing. Waiting on shipping in a campground here in New Mexico. I ordered a spare right away just in case, these are not a part you can get easily at your local parts store. I sure wouldn't think I would have needed to replace one this soon.

Very, VERY smart move in ordering up a secondary one. They are wheel bearings and as such, are subject to heavy duty wear and tear. Torque stresses and all, I'd have a dual set handy. To have a few dollars invested in this kind of insurance is CHEAP, compared to sitting around for days, in some place you don't want to be, cause you can't get what you need in an allotted time frame. You may never need them or, you may need one of them next week. Who knows?
Scott
Rerler32
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
I just broke down today with a bad wheel bearing hub on my Kar Kaddy 3, same sealed hub. My dolly is about 16 months old. I noticed my wheel was tilted out on top and felt the hub and it was very hot. I took the car off and limped it to a trailer repair shop and it took them along time to locate parts to replace the hub bearing. Waiting on shipping in a campground here in New Mexico. I ordered a spare right away just in case, these are not a part you can get easily at your local parts store. I sure wouldn't think I would have needed to replace one this soon.
mowermech
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
jergeod wrote:
RJsfishin wrote:
Their cheap alright. A previous poster has never seen the hefty bearings on a Demco Caddy. They are a big heavy duty sealed unit that are not designed be serviced. And I'd bet they cost a fortune if you had to replace one. That's the ticket here, you never will have to replace them, they are designed lifetime sealed unit. Well maybe submerged in water for a year or 2, you mite want to check them.
Spin the wheels, if no noise, You good to go another 7 (or 20) yrs

Does Demco warrantee these bearings for life?

From the Demco KK260 and KK360 manual:
"Your Demco Kar Kaddy is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year after date of purchase by the original (first) retail owner or until it is resold or transferred by the original owner. New Departure Hyatt Hubs used on the KK260 and KK360 are warranted for a period of three years after the date of purchase by the original (first) retail owner or until resold or transferred by the original owner."

I trust that answers the warranty question.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
If they don't, they should,......and I would !
jergeod
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
RJsfishin wrote:
Their cheap alright. A previous poster has never seen the hefty bearings on a Demco Caddy. They are a big heavy duty sealed unit that are not designed be serviced. And I'd bet they cost a fortune if you had to replace one. That's the ticket here, you never will have to replace them, they are designed lifetime sealed unit. Well maybe submerged in water for a year or 2, you mite want to check them.
Spin the wheels, if no noise, You good to go another 7 (or 20) yrs

Does Demco warrantee these bearings for life?
RJsfishin
Explorer
Mar 29, 2015
Their cheap alright. A previous poster has never seen the hefty bearings on a Demco Caddy. They are a big heavy duty sealed unit that are not designed be serviced. And I'd bet they cost a fortune if you had to replace one. That's the ticket here, you never will have to replace them, they are designed lifetime sealed unit. Well maybe submerged in water for a year or 2, you mite want to check them.
Spin the wheels, if no noise, You good to go another 7 (or 20) yrs
eieioh
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Thanks all for the thoughts. I'm giving them all consideration. I always amazed at the speed and depth of the responses and knowledge on this forum.

PS to ScottG in Bothell. My mother's parents built the fourth house on then Pontious Road. Now 188th NE.
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 20, 2015
VintageRacer wrote:
Those are almost "lifetime" bearings, much the same as wheel bearings on any modern car. Sealed and maintenance free. If you spin the wheel and it is free, no grinding noises or roughness, and there is no play, then they are fine.

Brian

This is what I would do. If they feel and sound fine then your fine.
klutchdust
Explorer II
Mar 20, 2015
IF it were me, I would just replace the bearings. Easier to do in the garage then out in the desert on a bright sunny day.
dbates
Explorer
Mar 19, 2015
I have over 51,000 miles on my 10 year old KarKaddy SS and the bearing are still doing fine. I'm not sure how many more miles they will hold up but hope for a long time.

Dave

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