Bearings

[Travler]

Any idea when I should repack the wheel bearings on my 2012 Cougar 26 sab. I am going into my 2nd year with this 5ver and wanted to be proactive on the maintenance side of things.Also brakes..I would be able to see them If I did the bearings. Just wondered about life of both.

[gearhead]

I would think your brakes should still be good. Depends on how many miles I suppose.
You may have SureLube spindles. What I did was get a TrailerAid ramp to lift one wheel at a time. I removed the wheel and slowly pumped grease one shot at a time and turned the hub between shots. You don't want to pressure the hub up with grease so fast that you blow out the seal. You should get grease back out the weep hole on the outboard end (closest to you) of the hub. It may take a while.
I used Mobil1 synthetic grease. Seems I read Dexter recommended it. Check with your axle manufacturer.

[therink]

I just lubed my bearings and adjusted brakes by lifting one wheel at a time with bottle jack. I used the ez lube fittings and reluctantly I pumped about 10 strokes into each hoping I didn't blow an inner seal. Next year I will remove, inspect and hand pack all 4 and replace the seals. I don't trust something you can't visually inspect.
I did check for play on the spindles and all 4 were Ok (no play).
Steve

[Quad]

I am normally one who removes hubs to pack bearings. I like to see everything and know what's back there. But this year I did use the grease zerk on the hub and rotated the hub while greasing. Any good high temp EP style grease will work IMO. I blew out the brakes and adjusted them up also. Unless something prompts me too, I don't plan to tear down till next season.


2005 Silverado 2500HD D/A
2013 Laredo 321BH

[Bluewater]

Quad, I thought your Laredo should have self-adjusting brakes?? My 2011 does and not even possible to adjust them without removing the drum. Maybe a different axle and brake mfg i guess.

[Chip999]

Just did easy lube bearings last Friday. Hook up fifth wheel to truck. Jack up axle until wheel off ground, pop wheelcover cap, pop off rubber cover, attach grease gun loaded with hi temp lithium grease, turn wheel while pumping in grease. Wipe off grease as it comes out the bearing, eventually grease will show up red. Clean up excess, replace rubber cap and wheelcap, repeat with other 3 wheels. Easy. Takes about an hour with a short break for rain.

I found two of the 4 bearings barely had any grease in them. Not an issue any more.

[Quad]

Bluewater my brakes are Dexter self adjusting type. But through the backing plate is a black plug. It can be removed and you can reach the star adjuster. Not easily always lol but it can be reached. I like to adjust them myself as I get a better adjustment on them then they do themselves and I know how they feel after being adjusted.


2005 Silverado 2500HD D/A
2013 Laredo 321BH

[Cindy_N_Gary]

I also have a 2012 26SAB. My dealer recommends repacking the bearings every 4500 miles.

[Travler]

Do you know if the 26sab has ezlube bearings.haven't had my wheels off.

[MarkS]

Originally Posted by Travler

Do you know if the 26sab has ezlube bearings.haven't had my wheels off.

Probably. Look at the center of the hub cap. If there is a 2" removable plug it is ezlube. You can pry that off, careful it is plastic. Under that is a rubber plug. Under that is the ezlube zerk fitting. You can check without taking the wheel off.

[Travler]

no mine has a 4 in chrome center hub.. the wheel needs to come off first. I am thinking not..I only have about 1800 miles on the rig.. But I just need piece of mind..Its worth a lot to me. I will take the wheel off and see.. But what I have been told I should be good..

[Bluewater]

Originally Posted by Quad

Bluewater my brakes are Dexter self adjusting type. But through the backing plate is a black plug. It can be removed and you can reach the star adjuster. Not easily always lol but it can be reached. I like to adjust them myself as I get a better adjustment on them then they do themselves and I know how they feel after being adjusted.


2005 Silverado 2500HD D/A
2013 Laredo 321BH

Thanks Quad, I will check that out.

[Ayotte]

You don't have to remove the wheels. Pop the round crome cap of in the crome center hub and the greese zerk is behind a rubber plug.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Travler

no mine has a 4 in chrome center hub.. the wheel needs to come off first. I am thinking not..I only have about 1800 miles on the rig.. But I just need piece of mind..Its worth a lot to me. I will take the wheel off and see.. But what I have been told I should be good..

There is a plastic cap in the end of that chrome center hub. Look closely, you'll see it. Pry that off CAREFULLY (it will break) and under it is the rubber plug, remove the plug and you'll see the zerk fitting. DON'T force grease into that fitting unless you're rotating the wheel, you'll blow the rear grease seal if you don't have ample rotation for the grease to travel back through the bearings and out the outlet port in the front of the hub.

[gearhead]

JB Weld gel will fix that broken cap on the center hub. lol
I notice that pics of new trailers a lot of them are missing that plastic chrome cap cover. Probably broke one, then removed all the others to make it look "right".
And...don't do like me and stick your finger in the hubcap to wipe the excess grease out. That edge where the rubber plug fits can be sharp.

[Travler]

Yep...sure enough the center piece on the chrome Center piece..LOL.. comes right off.. take the rubber boot and there she is the zerk... Boy this will be easy.. Thanks to all who have responded.. You and this forum are awesome..

Thanks again