Ok, so just because I stick to old school on nearly everything, just because "that's how I was taught"... after packing the bearings on my 5th wheel yesterday (yes, it has EZ Lube axles and no, I don't use it), and realizing we have a bearing packing tool at the hangar that we use for our airplanes, it dawned on me that some modern conveniences might be worth looking into.So, for those that still DIY... - who uses a bearing packer and why? - who still manually packs bearings with a glob of grease in the palm?and I guess I'm not COMPLETELY old school ... I do wear disposable gloves to do this job.Greg

I do it by hand (with the fancy gloves) just cause thats the way I've always done it.I've seen the fancy bearing packers but have never used one. Maybe I'm missing out?

I use a very basic wheel bearing packing tool. I have packed enough bearings by hand that this is just quicker and easier. I find it does just as good of a job. Just have to keep it in a good container so the grease stays clean till the next time it is used.

I watched a couple of videos while looking at bearing packing tools last night. My initial thought was "I can be done packing that by hand by the time they get done monkeying around with the setup, connecting the grease gun and pumping it all in". And the "forces the old grease out" thing ... yeah, I think I would rather clean and inspect it manually first.But, last year when I went to my trailer supply place for new seals, the counter guy said "if you bring your bearings with you, we'll pack them for you free." Of course, I remembered that as I was standing at the counter for seals again this year without the bearings.Which brings up another question - do you religiously - ok, stubborn and bull-headed, maybe? :) - keep the bearings matched to each hub and matched to each spindle when you do yours?and finally - I scratched my head a little (figuratively, since I had a handful of grease), as I heard my dad's voice asking me what I was doing ... we ran a fleet of trucks, trailers of all kinds, and equipment for power line construction and never that I recall, did annual bearing repacks.

This is the packer I use and I just filled it by hand and keep it filled https://www.amazon.ca/GearWrench-2775D-Hand-Bearing-Packer/dp/B0002NYDYE?th=1&psc=1&source=googleshopping&locale=en-CA&tag=googcana-20&ref=pd_sl_46t1jgeihy_eI agree with your dad other than the grease going stale (which I would think would take a long time). I inspect my bearings and will grease only if necessary. Unless you are traveling long distances then I also believe once a year is overkill.

campinghut wrote:This is the packer I use and I just filled it by hand and keep it filled https://www.amazon.ca/GearWrench-2775D-Hand-Bearing-Packer/dp/B0002NYDYE?th=1&psc=1&source=googleshopping&locale=en-CA&tag=googcana-20&ref=pd_sl_46t1jgeihy_eI agree with your dad other than the grease going stale (which I would think would take a long time). I inspect my bearings and will grease only if necessary. Unless you are traveling long distances then I also believe once a year is overkill.Yikes - Amazon kind of sticks it to you, being north of the border, eh? $40.47 CAN on amazon.ca and $24.24 USD on amazon.com ... maybe that's the penalty for letting the Quebec Nordics become the Colorado Avalanche? :)

Pack bearings - by hand or by tool? | Good Sam Community

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
All petroleum products are evil for the human body. Chassis lube has additives that can turn a kid into a six armed three mouthed walking orchestra.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 25, 2018
I use the hand tool. Faster, neat and clean. Also provides a good place to store the grease.
mike-s
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
wa8yxm wrote:
THough I did my trailers by hand till I put on bearing buddies (only fill 'em half full that is until the piston moves out just about 1/3 to 1/2 the way)

THe "Theory" is the bearing packer tool gets more grease into the bearing..
The only reason for bearing buddies is to accomodate the expansion and especially contraction when a bearing which has been getting warm traveling down the road gets dunked into cold water at the boat launch. They help to keep water from getting sucked in when the grease and air in the hub contract, by maintaining positive pressure.

They do nothing for travel trailers, unless you have an amphibious one.
DavidP
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
Bobbo wrote:
I do it so infrequently that I just do it by hand. That way I don't have to store yet ANOTHER tool.

Can never have enough tools!
w4phj
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
Only by hand after cleaning and inspection.
zcookiemonstar
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
I do it by hand. If I don't want all that grease on my hands I put the bearings and grease in a sandwich bag and still pack manually just through the bag otherwise I use gloves.
ScottG
Nomad
Apr 25, 2018
I prefer to do it with my hand. I feel I get a more thorough packing that way.
And I don't have to store that messy tool.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2018
I do it so infrequently that I just do it by hand. That way I don't have to store yet ANOTHER tool.
DavidP
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
jfkmk wrote:
DavidP wrote:
This is the one I use.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/8074208012235962480?lsf=seller:8049,store:5540668415306185057&prds=oid:2748800796046110418&q=bearing+packer&hl=en&ei=3XTfWqifCoi-sAWRi5bgBw&lsft=gclid:EAIaIQobChMI_8HU58LT2gIVj7bACh0CwA7xEAQYAiABEgJbKfD_BwE

I use the same one and find it pretty handy. I do clean and inspect the bearing first, though, and I do keep the bearings with the same races.
h

X2. Same here. Clean in my parts washer, dry, inspect and then pack. All go back to same hub/races.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Apr 24, 2018
THough I did my trailers by hand till I put on bearing buddies (only fill 'em half full that is until the piston moves out just about 1/3 to 1/2 the way)

THe "Theory" is the bearing packer tool gets more grease into the bearing..

That's the Theory. Never tested it

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Pack bearings - by hand or by tool?

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