Forum Discussion

whatonemancando's avatar
Sep 18, 2015

wheel bearing lubrication

I am the original owner of a 1999 Coleman Santa Fe PUP. I have had the wheel bearings re-packed, as required, at the dealership where I purchased it or at Camping World. For a one axel trailer they charge over $100. Last year I took it to the auto repair shop where I take my car. They did it for $45. So my question is, does the auto shop not doing all that needs to be done or are we all being ripped off by these camper places??
  • Did either one of the places charge you for any parts or is the only thing they did is pack the bearings? That is a very important questions and may well explain what one did vs. the other.
  • A 1999 Santa Fe wouldn't have brakes most likely. It's a simple job and $45 is a fair price
  • When you repack the bearing you also inspect the brakes. Lots of good auto mechanics don't know **** about trailer brakes. You normally get what you pay for.
  • I'll do it for you for $40. Honestly, with all the right equipment it only takes a few minutes, so $45 sounds fair for the wheel bearing pack. But you need to ask the following question of both of them:

    1. When you repack the bearings, are you replacing the grease seals with new ones?
    2. Before you repack the bearings, are you thoroughly cleaning them to remove any old grease?
    3. What method do you use to pack the new grease? By hand?, by machine?, by using a bearing buddy injector?
    4. If your trailer has electric brakes, you need to understand if the price includes inspecting and adjusting the brakes?

    Different approaches can add different costs. You need to be an informed consumer and understand the approach of each of them.
  • I think you're getting a great price from your auto shop. That's not even 30 minutes of the mechanic's time.
  • Repacking wheel bearings is not a difficult job. My guess is, the auto shop knows what they are doing.
    I would take it to the auto shop.