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]

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 failedAs 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]

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/default-source/default-document-library/light-duty-5-500-7-000-capacity.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]

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-Assembly-1999-2012-Silverado-Replacement/dp/B01GCGGTX2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1549997397&sr=8-14&keywords=2005+chevy+silverado+front+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]

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-Assembly-1999-2012-Silverado-Replacement/dp/B01GCGGTX2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1549997397&sr=8-14&keywords=2005+chevy+silverado+front+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.

[JRTJH]

This is just an opinion, and I don't have any "inside information from Dexter, Lippert or AlKo to back me up. That said, I'd suspect that all axle manufacturers use a blanket statement to cover their butts in all situations. All the axle manufacturers build axles for travel trailers, cargo trailers, boat trailers, snowmobile trailers and virtually all "other category trailers". They don't manage which axles a manufacturer puts under a trailer, so much of their "maintenance recommendations" are based in generalities, not on specific use profiles.

So, I'd suspect the "annual bearing repack recommendation" is a "general statement based on anticipated use of their entire axle inventory". Obviously, a boat trailer bearing used in salt water will require more frequent inspection/servicing than a travel trailer that's towed 1000 miles annually which will require less frequent inspection/servicing than a similar axle on a cargo trailer that's towed 40 or 50 thousand miles annually (think U-Haul rental trailers). So, to be in the "don't criticize us, we told you" category, blanket "dumb down statements" are issued to CYA more than to establish valid criteria.

Obviously, no "one criteria" is going to fit all user profiles. What's the right one? Do you follow the axle manufacturer, the trailer manufacturer, the guy at the local service center or your own "good judgement" ???

To each his own, but......

[sdetweil]

So, a further question.. i am at the 5 yr mark (2013 alpine, 1st repack) the bearings look good via manual inspection.. but, while I am there, is there any reason (besides the $50 cost difference) to NOT just replace the bearings and races.. gotta repack and replace the seal anyhow..

[JRTJH]

So, a further question.. i am at the 5 yr mark (2013 alpine, 1st repack) the bearings look good via manual inspection.. but, while I am there, is there any reason (besides the $50 cost difference) to NOT just replace the bearings and races.. gotta repack and replace the seal anyhow..

At five years with no previous maintenance on Chinese bearings and races, for $50 to install USA Timken bearings and races, with proper hand packing and new seals, your hubs will likely outlive your trailer. Seems like a logical, well justified investment to me. :popcorn:

[BOU0146]

From the factory they should have been repacked almost immediately, then about every 10,000 miles after that

[BadmanRick]

I have a 2011 Bullet Premier 19FBPR. I just changed all 4 Dexter brakes with the never adjust electric brakes and all 4 drums. The dexter drums came with all new bearings and seals axle nut and lock for nut. The instructions which came with the hubs advise to repack the bearings once a year or 12000 miles. In the 8 years I have had my Travel trailer I repacked the bearings once. Otherwise I have the EZ-lube axels and kept greasing bearing once a years. When I took off the hubs the bearings were as good as new. Just keep them lubed and you should have no problem. Use a good quality wheel bearing grease.
The reason I changed the breaks is all the original electric breaks froze up from rust. They were the manual adjust breaks and I replaced them with the never adjust breaks. Hence new breaks and drums.

[S&D--Forever]

Hey Rowland, we take the same trip down the west coast to AZ for a winter getaway. It costs about $150 a year to clean and grease the bearings, check all seals and brakes and inspect the tires. It’s cheap insurance “Ger er done” and go HAWKS!!

[anthonbloom]

I've logged better than 60,000 km on my 2012 Cougar 318SAB and never touched the wheel bearings other to inspect them, but I had catastrophic failure of the balance shackles. The bolts were rusted, the sleeves worn through and the bolt holes oval. They cannot be lubricated without removing the axles and I did not see the problem until a rear spring twisted and a tire got cut . Be warned!

[fatcatzzz]

We just had a nice couple pull in next to us with a SOB missing the right rear wheel. Seems they had their bearings repacked in Tucson AZ a week ago. Wheel came off just south of Kerrville Tx yesterday. Axle is toast. Best guess is they did not seat the new races or preload was to tight. But just a guess. I guess my point is pick someone who knows what they are doing. I do my own.

[Rowland]

Yes I was referring to the trailer bearings not the TV. What is the best grease to use on these?

Thanks!

[ChuckS]

My personal favorite for many decades is this one....

https://www.motosport.com/product/?adpos=1o6&cc=us&creative=281245571015&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIquiA1cPN4AIVWx-tBh3EzQDCEAQYBiABEgIfI_D_BwE&key=Lucas-Oil-Red-N-Tacky-Grease&matchtype=&mrkgadid=3301756304&mrkgcl=500&network=g&product_id=LUO0008-X001-Y001&psreferrer=https://www.google.com/&pssource=true&rkg_id=0&segment=badger&variant[LUO0008]=LUO0008-X001-Y001

This also comes in cartridge and I use to lube suspension on my fifth wheel and vehicles.

[Frank G]

Yes I was referring to the trailer bearings not the TV. What is the best grease to use on these?

Thanks!

Walmart Supertek Multi Duty Complex HI Temp Grease 14oz container $3.79