Carrying spare bearing question

[path1]

If you carry a spare wheel bearing, is it packed with grease? What do you carry it in?

[camperfamily]

I just lost a bearing. Outer race seized on the spindle. I was fortunate to get parts easily. 3 hours later back on the road. Now if I had the spare bearings, seal, grease and some fine sand paper I'd have been back on the road in half that. I'd have also needed a washer and retaining clip. Cause for failure? Missing retainer allowed the castle nut to back off. Not happy that the dealer I just bought from used doesn't check bearings as part of their standard inspection. And no, I won't name them as they handled it very well and I believe changed their policy since.

Moral? I'll be carrying spare parts starting next season.

[ScottG]

JBarca wrote:
I carry the complete bearing set, seal and cotter pin. They are in their original packing which helps ward off rust on the race/bearing.

I also carry the grease. If I have to actually repack the bearing, I will deal with greasing the new bearing then.

Since I do my own bearings and brake work I know what I have in there. In the last 14 years I have never had a bearing issue. Really don't expect one but I am prepared in case it happens. Odds are higher you will have brake issue with an electric drum brake. That I have had. And when you pull the drum to deal with it, then that new seal and grease you have will come in handy.

Hope this helps

John

Very wise.
On one occasion when I was too busy to get to it before a trip, I had Midas repack Fr. bearings on a truck. I figured they must be OK with this since they have to be doing it everyday...
They completely goofed it up and left them so loose they started making noise and causing the brakes to bind and skid when stopping.

Scott

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

K Charles wrote:
That would be one way to insure a bearing would never fail. If you have one you will never need it.

LOL, I have one in my trailer and have never needed it. I can't say the same for springs. Went through 4 or 5 or those over the years. :E

[midnightsadie]

on my boats I carry the hole hub ,and tools to knock loose a stuck race.

[time2roll]

I carry a set in a plastic bag. Carry the hand packing tool also.
Had not serviced the bearings for 10 years with no issues.
Just put on new rotors, bearings and disc brakes.

[beemerphile1]

newman fulltimer wrote:
if you have a bearing fail you will more than likely need a new spendle as well

In the one incident where I had to replace a bearing in a welcome center parking lot the spindle was fine. The hard part was getting the inner race off the spindle.

[JBarca]

I carry the complete bearing set, seal and cotter pin. They are in their original packing which helps ward off rust on the race/bearing.

I also carry the grease. If I have to actually repack the bearing, I will deal with greasing the new bearing then.

Since I do my own bearings and brake work I know what I have in there. In the last 14 years I have never had a bearing issue. Really don't expect one but I am prepared in case it happens. Odds are higher you will have brake issue with an electric drum brake. That I have had. And when you pull the drum to deal with it, then that new seal and grease you have will come in handy.

Hope this helps

John

[ScottG]

newman fulltimer wrote:
if you have a bearing fail you will more than likely need a new spendle as well

Not always and more often than not you can file off high spots, put it all back together and be fine.

[newman_fulltime]

if you have a bearing fail you will more than likely need a new spendle as well

[westend]

I carry a couple in their original boxes. If I spin a bearing on the road, I will be packing it there.

[K_Charles]

That would be one way to insure a bearing would never fail. If you have one you will never need it.

[Lwiddis]

Bearings are generally available.

[boogie_4wheel]

If you are going to carry a spare wheel bearing, carry the whole set; inner, outer, seal, castle nut, and pin.

I would have the bearings packed, ready for install. Store bearings in a freezer Ziploc inside a small cardboard box.