Install new tires/grease bearings by self?
Our camper is a 2012, we bought in 2013, and have never greased bearings (whoops!!). We tow about 500 miles each summer. Questions: From reading on here, it sounds like it is time for new tires (jud...
Forum Discussion
73guna wrote:
Its a lot of work, but it can be done.
If your not mechanically inclined I'd pay to have the work done.
You dont want to ruin a tire bead or over tighten the bearing nut.
And figure by the time you buy all the tools it may be cheaper to have a shop do it.
When Im feeling cheap I'll mount my own tires and have a shop balance them.
This is the best driveway method ive found, works great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57yyTqiKpe0
http://www.harborfreight.com/manual-tire-changer-69686.html
Bearing packer
http://www.harborfreight.com/bearing-grease-packer-69027.html
To do the bearings, all you need is a large pliers, a hammer and a block of wood. The cleaning takes me the most time and it requires a pan, brush, towels and solvent.
If you back off the brake adjustment, install the hub and wheel without grease or the grease seal, you can balance the entire assembly pretty good. Use a few drops of thin oil on the bearings and leave them slightly loose so they turn freely. Add weights as needed. Mark the wheels so that they can be put back on the same way. Don't laugh at this method, your drums were never balanced at the factory and paying for spin balancing will not result in a balanced assembly.
I have that tire changer, and would not say that it works great, but it is slightly better than simple tire irons.
