Checking wheel bearings....

[abc40kids]

I just replaced my wheel bearings, seals and races..... They were long overdue. The first one I changed looked good with lots of grease still everywhere. The second one same side still plenty of grease but more discoloration in the grease. The third one looked like the second but the last wheel had the least amount of grease of all and wouldn't have made it much longer.

I guess when checking your bearings make sure you check all of them. If I would have based all 4 off the first one I would have thought I was in good shape. The worst one did have a little black from the old grease on the wheel and the seal was starting to fail.

I won't let it go so far before checking next time!

[abc40kids]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

abc40kids wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

abc40kids wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
IMHO that was a huge waste of time and money.

Just because the grease was dark means nothing. How did the bearings and races look? Also the bearings you removed may have been of a higher quality than the new ones. Great you did maintenance but the bearings usually don't need replacing. Just clean, repack with new seals and you are good to go!

Bearings, races, seals, grease.... $125.00 IMHO, the bearings..... Almost nine years old and never touched just made more since to replace instead of re-pack. At the price I paid it was a no brainer. With me it's all about time and if the local shop would have been more reasonable I would have let them do it. Old bearings into the trash and new ones greased and in..... Spent more money to replace but definitely didn't waste any time.


I think I spent maybe 5 minutes removing and replacing
This was my first time messing with this and more than one shop, person and manufacture ( Alco ) recommend replacing due to my lack of past maintenance.

Your money your time. Seals $20 still need to be replaced. Driving out races and replacing just as much time as cleaning the bearings probably more. Also if you are not skilled at race removal and reinstallation you may cause damage.

A visual inspection is what you should always do. Just because there may have been a lack of maintenance means nothing. It's what they look like is what matters. Don't forget everyone in business needs to sell things.

So to just throw away $100 IMHO is better spent on something else.

That's just me!

The above comments are more directed toward anyone thinking of checking out their bearings.

I think I had 5 minutes tied up in the race removal and install, another couple minutes greasing the rear bearing and putting it back in with the seal. Next year this time I will inspect and repack when needed. I'm not an expert on telling the difference between a good and bad bearing...... Most of them looked good, just like the new ones but one looked like it could have been bad?? $25.00 a wheel to replace everything with the same bearing that came out made the most since to me and yes my money and very little time once I got past the first wheel. It seemed to take more time to jack it up take the wheel off and back on. $100.00 well spent....

I find it interesting it only took you 5 minutes to R&R the races and two minutes to grease the rear bearing install it with the seal.

I think you should go into business, those are some very fast times especially for someone that does not know if a bearing/race are still usable. 😉

I don't think the inspection of the bearings had any impact on how long it took me to change everything out. I think your more bent on the fact that I just removed the old and chucked it and used all new. Yes, my first time messing with this and right or wrong Alco said better off replacing since they had never been looked at. It was $100 bucks, no big deal and yes with the right tools the races come out very quickly and same going back in. Bearing packer saves some time also over hand packing. Maybe you just need to upgrade your toolbox.

If your in doubt and have the money just replace.....

[Supreme_Oppress]

This guide shows what a damaged bearing looks like and what its cause is. I find examining the race to be more productive as wear and damage is easier to see on it than the rollers.

[Cummins12V98]

abc40kids wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

abc40kids wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
IMHO that was a huge waste of time and money.

Just because the grease was dark means nothing. How did the bearings and races look? Also the bearings you removed may have been of a higher quality than the new ones. Great you did maintenance but the bearings usually don't need replacing. Just clean, repack with new seals and you are good to go!

Bearings, races, seals, grease.... $125.00 IMHO, the bearings..... Almost nine years old and never touched just made more since to replace instead of re-pack. At the price I paid it was a no brainer. With me it's all about time and if the local shop would have been more reasonable I would have let them do it. Old bearings into the trash and new ones greased and in..... Spent more money to replace but definitely didn't waste any time.

I think I spent maybe 5 minutes removing and replacing
This was my first time messing with this and more than one shop, person and manufacture ( Alco ) recommend replacing due to my lack of past maintenance.

Your money your time. Seals $20 still need to be replaced. Driving out races and replacing just as much time as cleaning the bearings probably more. Also if you are not skilled at race removal and reinstallation you may cause damage.

A visual inspection is what you should always do. Just because there may have been a lack of maintenance means nothing. It's what they look like is what matters. Don't forget everyone in business needs to sell things.

So to just throw away $100 IMHO is better spent on something else.

That's just me!

The above comments are more directed toward anyone thinking of checking out their bearings.

I think I had 5 minutes tied up in the race removal and install, another couple minutes greasing the rear bearing and putting it back in with the seal. Next year this time I will inspect and repack when needed. I'm not an expert on telling the difference between a good and bad bearing...... Most of them looked good, just like the new ones but one looked like it could have been bad?? $25.00 a wheel to replace everything with the same bearing that came out made the most since to me and yes my money and very little time once I got past the first wheel. It seemed to take more time to jack it up take the wheel off and back on. $100.00 well spent....

I find it interesting it only took you 5 minutes to R&R the races and two minutes to grease the rear bearing install it with the seal.

I think you should go into business, those are some very fast times especially for someone that does not know if a bearing/race are still usable. 😉

[C_Schomer]

I had a garage in Co. back when the state required safety inspections were 50 cents and the inspection required pulling a wheel to check the brakes. I always pulled a front wheel cuz the front brakes were usually worse. Along with all the other brake jobs, front end work etc., I did more bearing handling than the average bear. Running into noisy or pitted brgs that HAD to be replaced was a very low percentage. I even reused the brgs/races in the biggest POS, entry level 5er I ever owned that had cheapo Chech brgs/races that were very dull and blotchy gray. They were smooth and no signs of over heating or pitting and they did fine with repacking. Not that there's anything wrong with replacing old stuff if you feel more comfortable! Craig

[abc40kids]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

abc40kids wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
IMHO that was a huge waste of time and money.

Just because the grease was dark means nothing. How did the bearings and races look? Also the bearings you removed may have been of a higher quality than the new ones. Great you did maintenance but the bearings usually don't need replacing. Just clean, repack with new seals and you are good to go!

Bearings, races, seals, grease.... $125.00 IMHO, the bearings..... Almost nine years old and never touched just made more since to replace instead of re-pack. At the price I paid it was a no brainer. With me it's all about time and if the local shop would have been more reasonable I would have let them do it. Old bearings into the trash and new ones greased and in..... Spent more money to replace but definitely didn't waste any time.

I think I spent maybe 5 minutes removing and replacing
This was my first time messing with this and more than one shop, person and manufacture ( Alco ) recommend replacing due to my lack of past maintenance.

Your money your time. Seals $20 still need to be replaced. Driving out races and replacing just as much time as cleaning the bearings probably more. Also if you are not skilled at race removal and reinstallation you may cause damage.

A visual inspection is what you should always do. Just because there may have been a lack of maintenance means nothing. It's what they look like is what matters. Don't forget everyone in business needs to sell things.

So to just throw away $100 IMHO is better spent on something else.

That's just me!

The above comments are more directed toward anyone thinking of checking out their bearings.

I think I had 5 minutes tied up in the race removal and install, another couple minutes greasing the rear bearing and putting it back in with the seal. Next year this time I will inspect and repack when needed. I'm not an expert on telling the difference between a good and bad bearing...... Most of them looked good, just like the new ones but one looked like it could have been bad?? $25.00 a wheel to replace everything with the same bearing that came out made the most since to me and yes my money and very little time once I got past the first wheel. It seemed to take more time to jack it up take the wheel off and back on. $100.00 well spent....

[larry_barnhart]

We are still using the original wheel bearing that came on our 2001 fifth. Every time they get re greased I ask how they look but know they would be replaced even if I did not ask. Probably would be made in china if replaced.

chevman

[Cummins12V98]

Our Place wrote:
Having been in the service industry for more than 30 years trailer bearings are either over serviced or never serviced. The newer axles with the grease fitting on the end of the axle are the worst offenders, too easy to stick a grease gun on that fitting and be done with it. Most bearings are over tightened, mine was on my new camper. Tight bearings generate excessive heat and cook the grease. I use Timken bearing grease and pack mine by hand and buy the best seal that is available for your axle. Properly serviced bearings will go a long time, look back at the older cars, bearings got serviced with the brakes.

Totally agree!

The fact is the aftermarket bearings unless one is brand specific are most likely poorer quality than what came on their RV.

[Cummins12V98]

Dave H M wrote:
:h I am starting to wonder if a trend is starting here that wheel bearings have a recommended life like the tires. :W

Properly maintained they should never go bad. VW PU had 300K when I sold it and the rear bearings still looked great. I also overloaded the truck all the time.

[Cummins12V98]

abc40kids wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
IMHO that was a huge waste of time and money.

Just because the grease was dark means nothing. How did the bearings and races look? Also the bearings you removed may have been of a higher quality than the new ones. Great you did maintenance but the bearings usually don't need replacing. Just clean, repack with new seals and you are good to go!

Bearings, races, seals, grease.... $125.00 IMHO, the bearings..... Almost nine years old and never touched just made more since to replace instead of re-pack. At the price I paid it was a no brainer. With me it's all about time and if the local shop would have been more reasonable I would have let them do it. Old bearings into the trash and new ones greased and in..... Spent more money to replace but definitely didn't waste any time.

This was my first time messing with this and more than one shop, person and manufacture ( Alco ) recommend replacing due to my lack of past maintenance.

Your money your time. Seals $20 still need to be replaced. Driving out races and replacing just as much time as cleaning the bearings probably more. Also if you are not skilled at race removal and reinstallation you may cause damage.

A visual inspection is what you should always do. Just because there may have been a lack of maintenance means nothing. It's what they look like is what matters. Don't forget everyone in business needs to sell things.

So to just throw away $100 IMHO is better spent on something else.

That's just me!

The above comments are more directed toward anyone thinking of checking out their bearings.

[Our_Place]

Having been in the service industry for more than 30 years trailer bearings are either over serviced or never serviced. The newer axles with the grease fitting on the end of the axle are the worst offenders, too easy to stick a grease gun on that fitting and be done with it. Most bearings are over tightened, mine was on my new camper. Tight bearings generate excessive heat and cook the grease. I use Timken bearing grease and pack mine by hand and buy the best seal that is available for your axle. Properly serviced bearings will go a long time, look back at the older cars, bearings got serviced with the brakes.

[Dave_H_M]

:h I am starting to wonder if a trend is starting here that wheel bearings have a recommended life like the tires. :W

[jevanb]

Tgator1 wrote:
Makes you think about truck wheel bearings. I don't think its even a maintenance item on my current truck.

your rears are oil bath from the rear diff, the factory seals on every 25/3500HD are junk and leak, pull the rotors and take a look I bet they are leaking allover you e brake shoes


BTW I spent 60 on seals and another 20 on grease for my 5er and I did the job myself, with only 500 miles I would think they would be ok but they were leaking

[abc40kids]

TomHaycraft wrote:
I'm curious to have a point of comparison, about how old and how many miles? General recommendations for trailer bearing service seem so much more frequent as compared to our TV bearings.

Also, looking back on the axle with the seal that was near failure, any signs of dirt accumulation from loss of lubricant? With hind-sight, tell-tale signs of the pending failure?

Thanks in advance.

Not sure on the miles, 5er is an '06 with one trip to Florida and the rest under 3 hours 5 or 6 times a year. The one seal that looked bad was leaking and you could we it around a couple lug nuts. The inner most bearing was pretty dry, that's one reason why I felt much better replacing them ALL and now will check them yearly and repack as needed.

[abc40kids]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
IMHO that was a huge waste of time and money.

Just because the grease was dark means nothing. How did the bearings and races look? Also the bearings you removed may have been of a higher quality than the new ones. Great you did maintenance but the bearings usually don't need replacing. Just clean, repack with new seals and you are good to go!

Bearings, races, seals, grease.... $125.00 IMHO, the bearings..... Almost nine years old and never touched just made more since to replace instead of re-pack. At the price I paid it was a no brainer. With me it's all about time and if the local shop would have been more reasonable I would have let them do it. Old bearings into the trash and new ones greased and in..... Spent more money to replace but definitely didn't waste any time.

This was my first time messing with this and more than one shop, person and manufacture ( Alco ) recommend replacing due to my lack of past maintenance.