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

guidry
Explorer
Apr 24, 2018
gkainz wrote:
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.

Other than boat trailers that get submerged often there really is no reason to pack your wheels every year. And I can hear my Dad say, "If it aint broke, don't fix it", but I do inspect them each year.
westend
Explorer
Apr 24, 2018
I started out packing wheel bearings by hand. I've forgotten when I was introduced to a mechanical/pressure packer but it is the correct way to load the races with fresh grease. I have never worn gloves when working with lubricants. Grease and oil clean the pores and make my skin soft. Why would I pass that up?

This Forum and Dexter Axle Co. are tilted toward excessive bearing maintenance.That's not necessarily a bad thing since hubs are removed, brake dust removed, brake hardware serviced, and a good inspection can be done so life on the road is enjoyable.
jfkmk
Explorer
Apr 24, 2018
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.
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 24, 2018
I use a bearing packer, after cleaning/inspecting bearings. It does waste a little grease between the two cones that the bearing is in. I buy grease by the case from wholesaler, so not a big deal. My packer has a zerk to fill/pack, and when done, the bearings are solid packed. It is always best to keep bearings matched to the races they have been running in. I am not afraid to use the EZ-lubes and see no need to repack every year, unless an issue arises, that requires pulling the hub.

Jerry
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Apr 24, 2018
I'm "new school". I let someone else do it. I don't have a way to comfortably lift the camper off the ground.
docsouce
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2018
Always by hand. Always keep the bearings with the wheel that were removed from.
DavidP
Explorer
Apr 24, 2018
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
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2018
pack by hand and yes keep same bearings on each wheel. us retired folks gotta have some thing to keep us busy.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 24, 2018
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat (five minutes)

versus

Goosh (5-seconds)

Here is a little ditty that isn't opinion but fact

Grease used-to-be a lot different. Bright oil mixed into a Hectorite Clay Base.

Pack the bearings like normal

Then gob a glob of grease into the center area of the hub between the two bearings.

As the oil was used up within the bearing cage new oil osmosis'ed it's way through all the globbed grease and flowed it's way into the bearing. They used to brag the grease was long stranded or long fibered.

But given a lot of time what was left was almost dried clay.

Modern grease does not act like that at all.

So any grease outside of the bearing cage is a waste.

The modern "grease" ads brag about the grease "staying put" No joke. Grease outside the bearing cage is a waste.

I dealt with the hectorite clay based grease with the arrival of the first Delco alternators. These early alternators had unique bearing sealing shields that retained a reservoir of grease. Bearing lube life was phenomenal.

My bus has the same front wheel bearing lube as big-rigs. Stemco oil filled chambers. I got a bright idea and substituted turbine oil instead of what they recommended. Seems to work good.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 24, 2018
Pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat (five minutes)

versus

Goosh (5-seconds)

Here is a little ditty that isn't opinion but fact

Grease used-to-be a lot different. Bright oil mixed into a Hectorite Clay Base.

Pack the bearings like normal

Then gob a glob of grease into the center area of the hub between the two bearings.

As the oil was used up within the bearing cage new oil osmosis'ed it's way through all the globbed grease and flowed it's way into the nearing. They used to brag the grease was long stranded or long fibered.

But given a lot of time what was left was almost dried clay.

Modern grease does not act like that at all.

So any grease outside of the bearing cage is a waste.

The modern "grease" ads brag about the grease "staying put" No joke. Grease outside the bearing cage is a waste.

I dealt with the hectorite clay based grease with the arrival of the first Delco alternators. These early alternators had unique bearing sealing shields that retained a reservoir of grease. Bearing lube life was phenomenal.

My bus has the same front wheel bearing lube as big-rigs. Stemco oil filled chambers. I got a bright idea and substituted turbine oil instead of what they recommended. Seems to work good.

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Pack bearings - by hand or by tool?

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