Wheel Bearings

[Rowland]

I am sure this has been asked many times but could not find post so here goes the question.

How often should wheel bearings be greased? I just had it done and the shop says once a year depending on mileage. We usually only put on about 1K a year as we have property in Eastern Washington that we park the rv at for the summer then back home.

However this year we are driving down to Tucson via I-5 south to San Diego and then East. Staying for a month then returning the same way. Should be about a total of 4K miles. I am assuming I should have them re-greased again afterwards. As I mentioned normally we only do about 1K miles a year. Thoughts Please and thank you in advance

[chuckster57]

Take your trip. Don’t worry about them til next year.

[5J's]

Ponder this and it'll ease your mind. Your TV has wheel bearings also, How many miles do you put on it between packing the bearings?

[Javi]

I generally pack the bearings on my 5th wheel each year just to be safe.. I tow it approximately 5k each year... This year (4th year) I swapped out the Chinese bearings and races for U.S.A. made Timken The bearings and races were showing signs of pitting and wear... so it was time...

[ChuckS]

As others said take your trip and enjoy and don’t fret about the wheel bearings or brakes if the repack/inspect job was done properly

Also... don’t try to compare the analogy about tow vehicle bearings versus the fifth wheel bearings.

Two entirely different animals. Your tow vehicle has sealed wheel bearings greased during assembly. They can only be replaced... not repacked.

And in 127K miles of use I’ve replaced both front wheel bearings on my truck because they internally failed

[chuckster57]

If his F350 is 2WD then his front bearings are like his trailer. If it’s a 4WD they are sealed. My ‘94 F350 2WD has bearings/races in the front.

[Frank G]

My Opinion; At about 1 year Clean, inspect, repack bearings and replace seal with a quality replacement. You can do this or a qualified repair shop. At this service carefully inspect the braking components, a known failure is the bushing separating from the actuating arm. One call to Dexter (LCI) and they will send you new complete brake assemblies. This is a safety issue and they know it.

Bearings repacked properly will run thousands of miles, but you really need to inspect the braking components once a year or whenever stopping performance suffers.

[5J's]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

As others said take your trip and enjoy and don’t fret about the wheel bearings or brakes if the repack/inspect job was done properly

Also... don’t try to compare the analogy about tow vehicle bearings versus the fifth wheel bearings.

Two entirely different animals. Your tow vehicle has sealed wheel bearings greased during assembly. They can only be replaced... not repacked.

And in 127K miles of use I’ve replaced both front wheel bearings on my truck because they internally failed

As I recall his TV is an early 2000 model he will have package rear bearings and as chuckster said if it's 2WD it will also have package bearings on the front. I have an 06 F350 and have just pulled the axels and repacked the rear bearings last month.

My point was not to say neglect the FW bearings like most people do the TV but, rather take the trip without worry as the bearings will be fine given the annual mileage on them.

[gearhead]

I'm on year 4 of the 5th. I've re packed twice. I have a complete set of Timken bearings on my work bench to pack and install this week. Assembled in USA, made in ?
I've had 4 wheel drives for so long I don't even think of automotive wheel bearings.

[KenW]

I assume that you are talking about the RVs bearings. The factory is notorious for under greasing bearings. If you have had it done properly I wouldn't worry about it for several years (3-5) at your mileage. Checking the brakes is a different story!

Ken

[gearhead]

Not wanting to completely de-rail this thread, but for those saying tow vehicles have sealed bearings...when did this happen? A 2 wheel drive truck has sealed front bearings??
I've had 4x4 trucks and realize they are sealed but a 2 wheel drive? Yeah they always had a seal on the inboard side of the spindle and a grease cap, so I guess technically you could call that sealed. But a front spindle sealed and non-serviceable?? Tell me more.

[Logan X]

I have read the wheel bearings should be repacked every year and 10k miles. If your not putting a lot of miles on, you are probably ok repacking every two years and at least inspecting them every year. As others have stated, I think the brakes should be adjusted every year.

[NorskeBob]

Originally Posted by Javi

I generally pack the bearings on my 5th wheel each year just to be safe.. I tow it approximately 5k each year... This year (4th year) I swapped out the Chinese bearings and races for U.S.A. made Timken The bearings and races were showing signs of pitting and wear... so it was time...

Do you have a part number for the bearings? 7000 axles on our rig.

[gearhead]

Maybe:
http://www.dexterpartsonline.com/page/404627570

Or:
https://www.dexteraxle.com/docs/defa...y.pdf?sfvrsn=0

Sometime back I called Dexter for some reason. Maybe the Timken part number. They were helpful and nice.
A good auto parts store should be able to convert the Dexter bearing number to Timken numbers.

[mfifield01]

I've had a bearing seize up on boat trailer. It was low mileage, but had been 3 years since I packed it. Being a boat trailer, it saw harsher conditions. Even though, I plan to repack every 2 years. At just over 2 years, I packed and replaced with Timken bearings/races.

[bobbecky]

Originally Posted by gearhead

Not wanting to completely de-rail this thread, but for those saying tow vehicles have sealed bearings...when did this happen? A 2 wheel drive truck has sealed front bearings??
I've had 4x4 trucks and realize they are sealed but a 2 wheel drive? Yeah they always had a seal on the inboard side of the spindle and a grease cap, so I guess technically you could call that sealed. But a front spindle sealed and non-serviceable?? Tell me more.

This is the front wheel bearing for rear wheel drive GM 1/2 ton truck products and it is a sealed assembly.
https://www.amazon.com/ECCPP-Assembl...+wheel+bearing

[Ken / Claudia]

I got a dexter manual with this trailer they say 12,000 miles or yearly. That assumes they have the right amount to begin with. Just me, I would check them if they have never been looked at before any long trip. After that 10 to 12,000 miles unless you see any problems. Last year I ran out of time before a 1,000 mile round trip. My local shop did it for 200 bucks. They also examined the brakes, tires. All was good, cheap insurance considering what the cost of a dragging/bad/wore out brake shoe. unseen my me nail in tire, bearing or grease problem.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

This is the front wheel bearing for rear wheel drive GM 1/2 ton truck products and it is a sealed assembly.
https://www.amazon.com/ECCPP-Assembl...+wheel+bearing

I'll be dang, sure is. My last 2 wheel drive was a 1992 Chevy.

[MrEnto]

Don’t worry about it!

[goducks]

1,000 miles a year? I'd go 3 years or longer before packing. I do my own every two years. We travel about 3000-4000 a year. Everything looks the same as new after two years.