Timken bearings...when would you repack?

[Learjet]

Installing the Titan Disc brakes on my trailer, using Timken bearings and Mobil 1 synthetic grease....here is my question for y'all

Since I don't have to pull the hubs to check brakes, I used Timken bearings and good synthetic grease...when should I repack again?

More info, Trailer is garage kept and used at least monthly.

What say you??

[liborko]

How often you repack bearings on your car? Do the same for trailer. I converted to disc brakes two years ago and I am not planing to repack. Ever.

[myredracer]

Last fall I got US-made Timken bearings at a local branch of Wajax Industrial a Canadian bearing distributor no problem. Don't know if they ship or not. Is there really a shortage of the US-made ones or is it a case of going to the right place? The local go-to wholesaler for all things related to RV frames & axles had no clue where to get Timken bearings regardless of the country of origin.

At the end of last season one of the bearings was running too warm on our 2 year old TT. After pulling all apart I found that someone, and am pretty sure it was the dealer, had pumped additional grease into the axles and a couple of the brake shoes had grease on them. In the time since replacing the old bearings and repacking, we've done 6K+ miles this season and it's been fine. This is the 2nd TT we've had grease contamination on (previous one rebuilt under warranty). It's def. worth pulling your drums off and inspecting bearings & brakes even on a trailer that isn't that old.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Brinneling is an absolute alarm. Bearings are not through hardened. Races are. SKF and Federal Mogul used to make good bearings. GmB Germany used to make good bearings. In the 1980's I somehow ended up with a box of sealed 6203 ball bearings. Clearly stamped USSR. Utter garbage. Timken to me is the standard bearer of tapered roller bearings. Worth the trouble in this day and age of "SrewvYou! outsourcing.

[pyoung47]

I don't have a lot of luck finding "Timken" bearings any more. I put off packing my trailer until about seven years had elapsed. I always check for heat at each stop and had no issues. However, I did note that when I checked the bearings, three of the outside ones had small pits, which I replaced. This would probably not been an issue, but I felt safer changing them, especially since they are relatively inexpensive. Some of the races that I've obtained locally will not fit the hubs, and I've found the ones obtained directly from Lippert work fine.

[Charlie_D_]

Difficult to always find the USA made ones. Reports I see say that Timken has a close handle on the Chinese ones and quality is still good. Of course there are also other manufactures making them in China.

[Learjet]

Dave H M wrote:
Hopefully, the timkens had made in the US stamped on them. :h

yes, made in USA

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Using Lubrication Engineers Almagard 3752
I repack every 10 years or 100,000 miles even though the grease still looks like new. No this isn't a joke. Friends who use this grease smirk at the idea of periodic repacking. One 3 axle 5 ton carrier trailer was repacked in 1974. Three surge brake jobs and "Pete" laughs at the idea of repacking the bearings "why should I?" The trailer has been towed 100,000+ miles.
Good question.

[Dave_H_M]

Hopefully, the timkens had made in the US stamped on them. :h

[tvman44]

I too do not subscribe to the every year. As mentioned our TV go foe many years without. I repack after the 1st year, then when ever. Currently when ever has been 8 years so far. I am about to repack because the 5er sat in 2 ft. of water for a couple of days, so I am about to tear down inspect & repack with new seals.

[aruba5er]

did mine with mobile syn grease quite a few years ago with over 12k. still going strong. I pack the hubs full and belive that any grease that might melt will then oil the bearings. I am not a big beliver in every year. (as you can tell) Why should you worry about the trailer when the TV has way more miles on it and bearings will probably never get regreased. At least the last truck I had with over 170k never did.

[time2roll]

If you do them right the first time... the bearing pack should easily last as long as the pads.

[agesilaus]

midnightsadie wrote:
pop the cover see what the grease looks like ,if gruddy change.

Ditto- should check at least annually before the camping season.

[midnightsadie]

pop the cover see what the grease looks like ,if gruddy change.

[Learjet]

72cougarxr7 wrote:
Depends on mileage. With good bearings and grease, 3 years is a number I would be comfortable with figuring average mileage.

good question..we do 6000 miles per year.

[72cougarxr7]

Depends on mileage. With good bearings and grease, 3 years is a number I would be comfortable with figuring average mileage.