Wheel Bearing Question

Highway 4x4 wrote:
A bearing buddy is a spring loaded device that puts the greese to the front bearing first and then out the back. There is usually no brakes on a small boat trailer. The EZ lube puts the grease to the rear bearing first then out the front. Dexter said do not use the power grease guns on them. Yes if the rear seal leaks, big problems. The Dexter Never Lube bearing are good for 100K or 5 years so why are the EZ lubes have to be inspected and repacked every year? Don't get me started on that Never Lube bearing, not a good system as the inner and outer bearings are next to each other and they have to be pressed out and in. EZ lube is better and stronger. Catching a bad bearing on the yearly inspection is rare as when they go bad, the go quick and just eat everythig up quick. That's why I have a TPMS system that also tells me the temp. Just one more hope of catching it before it turns the dust. My TT is a year old with < 10K miles on it so a pump or two this year then a tear-down next year. I really think under normal conditions the bearings should go for 3-4 years easy.

Good post. I also think for many RV users, a good grease job will last several years. On a new trailer, you need to check the amount of grease from the factory. If the EZ-lubes have not been used, it will take many pumps to fill, before the grease starts to come out the front. After the first filling of the hubs, like mentioned above, a few pumps will move the grease out the front.

I don't pull the hubs every season to check the brakes either, unless there is a change in braking to indicate the need to do so. I adjust them as needed. At some point, depending on use, you need to pull the hubs, check the brakes, and clean, inspect, and hand pack the bearings.

Jerry