Wheel Bearings Packed? Yearly Maintenance

CKNSLS wrote:

tragusa3 wrote:
The fellow that repaired our blown out bearing this summer said, and I quote, "buddy bearings are my best friend, because they never get to the inside races". He patched us back up on the roadside. I drove into town and immediately paid a shop to do the other side, noting what it looked like when he pulled it out. Sure enough the outside had all the fresh grease I put in before the trip...the inside was dry as a bone! I figure that roadside guy has seen more bearings than most of us will see in a lifetime.

My buddy bearing are history, and I will hand pack every other year.

There was an article somewhere from an axle manufacturer saying the bearing buddies are equipped so the average TT owner can grease the bearings. Now, the "experts" on here say they do more harm than good. But here is how the system works-
Bearing buddys

I made no claim to be an expert. I gave a first hand report of my experience and that of a person that repairs bearings often.

69 Avion wrote:
Properly packed bearings will go a long time. I suggest that when getting a new trailer, have the bearings hand packed with new seals the first time. Watch when the mechanic does it, or do it yourself. I think the biggest problem is when folks assume that the bearings where properly packed from the factory or that a mechanic (usually the least experienced person at the shop) knows what they are doing. The last time I paid (and didn't watch) to have one repacked the bearings were almost dry and one wheel locked up when the brake assembly fell apart while driving. Not a fun experience.

This is what I do as well. I find packing ever year overkill. I don't trust the factory.

tragusa3 wrote:
The fellow that repaired our blown out bearing this summer said, and I quote, "buddy bearings are my best friend, because they never get to the inside races". He patched us back up on the roadside. I drove into town and immediately paid a shop to do the other side, noting what it looked like when he pulled it out. Sure enough the outside had all the fresh grease I put in before the trip...the inside was dry as a bone! I figure that roadside guy has seen more bearings than most of us will see in a lifetime.

My buddy bearing are history, and I will hand pack every other year.

There was an article somewhere from an axle manufacturer saying the bearing buddies are equipped so the average TT owner can grease the bearings. Now, the "experts" on here say they do more harm than good. But here is how the system works-
Bearing buddys

I do mine every other year.. Mostly to just check the condition of the brakes and adjust them. I do them myself, so it only costs me some time and some grease.. :)

But, I feel much better about them the year I had them off! That year I skip, I pay more attention to temps and how the brakes feel... ;)

Good luck!

Mitch

Properly packed bearings will go a long time. I suggest that when getting a new trailer, have the bearings hand packed with new seals the first time. Watch when the mechanic does it, or do it yourself. I think the biggest problem is when folks assume that the bearings where properly packed from the factory or that a mechanic (usually the least experienced person at the shop) knows what they are doing. The last time I paid (and didn't watch) to have one repacked the bearings were almost dry and one wheel locked up when the brake assembly fell apart while driving. Not a fun experience.

Never! The EZ-Grease axles are the best thing since sliced bread. Just hit them with four pumps while rotating the wheels. I have the wheels off every year to grease the bronze bushings in the suspension. I grease the wheels then.
MM49

I fall into the once a year group, I have the brakes checked and the bearings greased.

It cost about $125.00.

The fellow that repaired our blown out bearing this summer said, and I quote, "buddy bearings are my best friend, because they never get to the inside races". He patched us back up on the roadside. I drove into town and immediately paid a shop to do the other side, noting what it looked like when he pulled it out. Sure enough the outside had all the fresh grease I put in before the trip...the inside was dry as a bone! I figure that roadside guy has seen more bearings than most of us will see in a lifetime.

My buddy bearing are history, and I will hand pack every other year.

If you do your own every 2 or 3 years. If you have someone else do it every year. If you use the easy lube axles it is very easy to get to much grease and push past the seals.

3oaks wrote:
If properly maintained to start with, bearings packed-not over greased and bearing castle nut correctly set, along with brakes adjusted correctly, about every 3 years. I started out with yearly inspection intervals, then 2 years without any issues found or concerns and now 3 years between thorough bearing inspections and grease seal changes. And we average about 2,000 miles per year towing our TT.

I do the same. About every 2-3 years depending on mileage. I do about 3-5k miles a year. I only had one issue with a grease seal that started to leak. Caught it just in time before it coated the brakes. I just services mine this spring and everything was good, that was a 3 year service.