repacking wheel bearings

[jjjandrbaker]

I need to get my bearings repacked. I don't want to go to the dealer. Last time, they kept my little trailer for two weeks because the big rigs are their priority customers. I can't seem to find a place to have it done. Does anyone have any recommendations for places in San Antonio?

By the way: Nobody needs to bother to tell me how easy and inexpensive it is to do it myself. I don't want to do it myself. I just don't!

Thanks.

[jjjandrbaker]

Well, went this morning and got the bearings repacked. They installed bearing buddies and taught me how to grease them. All in all, I am very satisfied with the service and the price. Anyone who knows me knows how often my attempts at minor repairs or DIY projects routinely lead to disasters and much more expensive repairs. Like some people have no green thumb and can't keep a plant alive, I have no handyman skills.

[_DJ_1]

I do mine myself. It is flat ridiculous what these Dealers charge. $125 per axle!!! :E That's $250 for a tandem axle trailer. I spent my high school summers working in gas stations back in the early '60's. It is very easy although a bit messy!!! Back then we charged $4 per axle and that included seals!!! If gas increased as much as packing wheel bearings has it would have gone from 0.25 to 8 bucks a gallon.

[BarneyS]

For your and others information, we have an excellent tutorial, complete with pictures, of brake shoe replacement and wheel bearing maintenance stuck at the top of the Towing forum here.🙂
Barney

[TundraTower]

I identify with the OP --- I know how to do this, and have done it when I was younger, but I (too) just don't want to do it anymore. On the other hand, I always get nervous when I hire someone to do such a critically important task like this.

I suggest you check your hub temperatures with an IR gun after they are re-packed. We got into TT'ing 3 years ago and I had my tire shop pack the bearings at the next season. They ran waaay too hot right out of the shop, and long story short, I found out they thought the castle nut is supposed to be at 50 ft lbs torque. It is supposed to be finger tight.

Now, I take the hubs off and deliver them to that shop for the dirty work of cleaning and packing, and then I install them so I know the bearings are set correctly.

Just a suggestion.

[jjjandrbaker]

I finally found a place that works on RVs. I have an appointment for Wednesday morning, and they will pack the bearings while I wait. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.

[MKirkland]

I'm retired and have time so I always tell them I'll wait. I schedule the first appointment time of the day. If they would tell me that it would take two weeks then I would move on to some other place.

[4X4Dodger]

Your local chain tire dealer like Goodyear, Firestone, Les Schwab and others all do this kind of work. Trailer repair shops also do this.

But if you are so inclined this is an easy thing to do yourself and Get Right.

Just google it and see.

[midnightsadie]

X2 ,other wise they,ll just use the easy lube zert fitting and be done in 15teen min. and charge you for doing the job right.

[westend]

rbpru wrote:
I suspect if you take them to a shop, they will just use the EZ lube option rather than hand pack them

I had mine done at the local tire shop.

You can always ask for them to keep the old seals so you can match them up when you buy new ones. If they have to pull a hub, there is a likelihood that your bearings will be greased correctly (with a packing device).

[rbpru]

I suspect if you take them to a shop, they will just use the EZ lube option rather than hand pack them

I had mine done at the local tire shop.

[Mr__Camper]

Look for a truck service place and ask if they can do it or know some place that can.

[coolbreeze01]

I had my tire shop do mine. I could look at their work and my bearings. It feels like the hubs run cooler after hand packing.

[johntank]

Could try a tire shop as most do small mechanical jobs too.

[MFL]

Can't say for San Antonio, but most any place that sells/services trailers could do it. Any small shop, with a qualified mechanic, could handle it. Just don't get the kid down the street with no experience. Ask a friend, if they know of a trusted back alley mechanic in the area. Maybe a mobile RV service guy in your area.

The RV dealer may not be the best choice anyway.

Jerry