Our 2002 Fleetwood Prowler has two axles but no Zerk fittings for the wheel bearings. There is a large axle nut with a cotter pin. I guess to properly grease the bearings I'd have to remove the nut and pull the wheel off (wheel puller required?). Then apply grease and replace the seals and then the wheels and nuts. I'm on a big road trip (6 months so far). Today I removed the grease caps and filled them with grease. Then I pushed the caps back on and tapped them in place with a hammer. My question is: did this do any good at all? Where can I take it for a proper grease job?

No, sorry but that didn't do anything worthwhile.To do it right the bearings have to be removed, cleaned, inspected and re-packed with grease. There is no short cut.

No it didn't really do any good. I'd take it to an RV shop since you haven't done it before and you're not at home. If you can't get it into one (call a mobil RV tech if you're in an RV park) go to YouTube to watch several videos first.This is just one of many videos.Also, while they're in there, have them inspect / adjust the brakes. When was the last time there were done?Bill

I recommend you watch someone do it and learn from them.

How long have you owned it? If it's 2002 and you don't know the bearing service history, than it's way over due IMO..My trailer is a 2003 and I've owned it since new and have done the bearings at least every other year and they may not need it each time, but checking them out and adjusting the brakes is always a good thing too.. ;)If you have never done wheel bearings before, you need to learn it from someone that has done it before to show you how it's done.. There are tons of youtube vids on it, but until you do it yourself, and can feel how it's done... Well, I don't know? I was very lucky and my Dad showed me how to do this service when I was a kid and I've never had a wheel bearing failure..Good luck!MItch

It sounds like right now you are at the mercy of a shop doing it correctly. You need an rv shop or trailer sales and repair.The bearings need to be removed and washed of all the old grease to be properly inspected. The bearings should be perfect looking and smooth. I always look at them with a magnifying glass. They wont instantly go from good to bad. They will slowly start to look rough or very slightly pitted. They will progress with pitting and form larger rough areas. Another place where I have seen bearing wear that can be over looked is down in the inner part of the race. The bearing rollers are held in a sheet metal cage. You need to slowly roll the rollers and look closely down into the inner surface as it will sometimes start to pit without the rollers looking nearly as bad.New races will have honed swirl like look to them. Page 8 in this link starts showing stages and causes of wear. I say all that because it's not wipe em off, grease em up and throw em in. My bearings had been serviced by the previous owner and I serviced them before I used it. It had a total of somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 miles on it and I found one wheel with signs of wear this spring so put all new bearings in. 4 sets from Etrailer were about $75.00. I'll run them 2 years and do it again. If the frig breaks or the ac quits or you blow a tire, you can limp into a campground or make it home. If you smoke an axle you aint going anywhere. Zero tolerance and most important issue of all. Well....maybe other then having the rig separate from the TV. But then, having a wheel pass you and kill someone isn't good either.This bearing came out of my sons 2008 Rockwood TT with unknown miles in 2014. Yes, the dang oldman is always on them if they did this or that. They are ez lube and he did grease them enough. This bearing would have gone into melt down before long. I replaced all of them.

Greasing wheel bearings | Good Sam Community

TexasChaps
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
LVJJJ wrote:
Trackrig wrote:
No it didn't really do any good. I'd take it to an RV shop since you haven't done it before and you're not at home. If you can't get it into one (call a mobil RV tech if you're in an RV park) go to YouTube to watch several videos first.

This is just one of many videos.

Also, while they're in there, have them inspect / adjust the brakes. When was the last time there were done?

Bill

I don't think I agree with this video, he didn't pre-load the bearings by tightening the castle nut then backing it off before inserting the "carter" pin. Also I wouldn't pack the groove in the rear seal with grease as that will seap out in hot weather and possibly get on the brake shoes.

Also have to disagree with coffeegrinder, never have had to replace a single bearing in 27 years of TT RV'ing on any of my several TT's ranging from 1973 to brand new (always replace seals though). I've repacked them all when needed and fortunately they've all been good. Couple of years ago we had an '85 Wilderness with original axles and bearings, repacked them with no problem, who knows how many miles were on them. With good maintenance (repacking at least once a year) they'll last as long as the trailer. Whenever I buy a used trailer, first thing I do is repack the bearings, check all the brakes and adjust if they are in good shape. Should never get a vehicle rolling unless you know you can stop it.

x2 on the preload.. also you have to remember that older trailers came with quality bearings from Timken/SKF or Federal Mougal.. these new trailers come with suzi wong china bearings that last long enough to get you off the dealer lot..:E
All_I_could_aff
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
Regardless of which place you go to for bearing service, make sure they use a clean container of grease... Not a nasty old uncovered can that everybody and his uncle has dipped their fingers into while lubing miscellaneous parts around the shop. Even tiny bits of stray material can destroy your bearings. Also make sure they have a clean work area and don't lay the grease covered bearings down on the ground while getting ready for reassembly.
LVJJJ
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
Trackrig wrote:
No it didn't really do any good. I'd take it to an RV shop since you haven't done it before and you're not at home. If you can't get it into one (call a mobil RV tech if you're in an RV park) go to YouTube to watch several videos first.

This is just one of many videos.

Also, while they're in there, have them inspect / adjust the brakes. When was the last time there were done?

Bill

I don't think I agree with this video, he didn't pre-load the bearings by tightening the castle nut then backing it off before inserting the "carter" pin. Also I wouldn't pack the groove in the rear seal with grease as that will seap out in hot weather and possibly get on the brake shoes.

Also have to disagree with coffeegrinder, never have had to replace a single bearing in 27 years of TT RV'ing on any of my several TT's ranging from 1973 to brand new (always replace seals though). I've repacked them all when needed and fortunately they've all been good. Couple of years ago we had an '85 Wilderness with original axles and bearings, repacked them with no problem, who knows how many miles were on them. With good maintenance (repacking at least once a year) they'll last as long as the trailer. Whenever I buy a used trailer, first thing I do is repack the bearings, check all the brakes and adjust if they are in good shape. Should never get a vehicle rolling unless you know you can stop it.
johntank
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
As for a place to have bearings packed all the ones already said plus most tire stores a small independent auto shop, they just would need to have enough room for you to park the trailer. I would look for a 3 to 4 hours labor charge for a tandem axle trailer if done correctly.
Westcoasting
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
Coffee Grinder wrote:
I would recommend replacing the bearing's and seals and not worrying about repacking. Do the same with brake pads

Why replace bearings if they are not worn though? It is still messy even with new bearings.
Quality_Johnson
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
Coffee Grinder wrote:
I would recommend replacing the bearing's and seals and not worrying about repacking. Do the same with brake pads

But don't forget to pack those new bearings, as they do not come with lube in them. They are just lightly oiled to prevent rust.
Coffee_Grinder
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
I would recommend replacing the bearing's and seals and not worrying about repacking. Do the same with brake pads
Catrider1
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
Whatever you decide to do, do not let anyone place a jack under the center of the axle to raise the tire off the ground. You will be replacing axles.
DavidP
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
azdryheat wrote:
Take your trailer in and let a pro handle it. BTW, I believe Camping World charges about $350 for three axles. I forget what two axles is but, for you, it will be worth the hassle of doing it yourself.

Glad to have some humor in this thread. HAHAHA, the Pros and CW. Now that is funny!
deltabravo
Nomad
Aug 12, 2016
stevemorris wrote:
if its never been don or done recently, do it NOW

its easy, maybe 1/2 hour per wheel, usually takes longer to secure and jackup the tt

you don't need much for tools, jack, lug wrench, pliers and a small hammer and a flat screw driver

Rubber gloves too, and maybe a bearing packing tool.

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