Carrying spare bearing question

I carry innie and outie and grease. Never know when you may need it.

LarryJM wrote:

path1 wrote:
If you carry a spare wheel bearing, is it packed with grease? What do you carry it in?

I carry a set of bearings and a new drum dry for emergencies. In my 37+ years of towing a TT with over 150K+ total miles the only trailer running gear problems I have had are two broken springs on my 1981 Prowler.

Larry

I've read of more broken springs than bearing failures while on the road, and blown tires of course. That is why I prefer Dexter's Torflex Suspension Axles. Unfortunately, I couldn't get them when I ordered our present Arctic Fox TT.

Not that those Torflex axils can't fail, but it would be rare if they did.

I carry a one complete bearing change pre-lubed in a heavy duty freezer zip-lock bag. Doubled bagged, to remain dirt and dust free and no leaking grease. Just as insurance. Fortunately, so far, never had to use the spare bearings.

path1 wrote:
If you carry a spare wheel bearing, is it packed with grease? What do you carry it in?

I carry a set of bearings and a new drum dry for emergencies. In my 37+ years of towing a TT with over 150K+ total miles the only trailer running gear problems I have had are two broken springs on my 1981 Prowler.

Larry

K Charles wrote:
That would be one way to insure a bearing would never fail. If you have one you will never need it.

Worked for me.

I just lost a bearing. Outer race seized on the spindle. I was fortunate to get parts easily. 3 hours later back on the road. Now if I had the spare bearings, seal, grease and some fine sand paper I'd have been back on the road in half that. I'd have also needed a washer and retaining clip. Cause for failure? Missing retainer allowed the castle nut to back off. Not happy that the dealer I just bought from used doesn't check bearings as part of their standard inspection. And no, I won't name them as they handled it very well and I believe changed their policy since.

Moral? I'll be carrying spare parts starting next season.

JBarca wrote:
I carry the complete bearing set, seal and cotter pin. They are in their original packing which helps ward off rust on the race/bearing.

I also carry the grease. If I have to actually repack the bearing, I will deal with greasing the new bearing then.

Since I do my own bearings and brake work I know what I have in there. In the last 14 years I have never had a bearing issue. Really don't expect one but I am prepared in case it happens. Odds are higher you will have brake issue with an electric drum brake. That I have had. And when you pull the drum to deal with it, then that new seal and grease you have will come in handy.

Hope this helps

John

Very wise.
On one occasion when I was too busy to get to it before a trip, I had Midas repack Fr. bearings on a truck. I figured they must be OK with this since they have to be doing it everyday...
They completely goofed it up and left them so loose they started making noise and causing the brakes to bind and skid when stopping.

Scott

K Charles wrote:
That would be one way to insure a bearing would never fail. If you have one you will never need it.

LOL, I have one in my trailer and have never needed it. I can't say the same for springs. Went through 4 or 5 or those over the years. :E

on my boats I carry the hole hub ,and tools to knock loose a stuck race.

I carry a set in a plastic bag. Carry the hand packing tool also.
Had not serviced the bearings for 10 years with no issues.
Just put on new rotors, bearings and disc brakes.

newman fulltimer wrote:
if you have a bearing fail you will more than likely need a new spendle as well

In the one incident where I had to replace a bearing in a welcome center parking lot the spindle was fine. The hard part was getting the inner race off the spindle.