Hanging my head in shame...

[gearhead]

Can I confess?
We're all friends right?
Don't tell anybody.

I PAID SOMEBODY TO PACK MY OWN WHEEL BEARINGS.

Never before have I committed such an act in all my 68 years.
Don't let my ex-coworkers find out.
I think they even used Exxon grease.
Oh the shame.

[fjr vfr]

That's bad, but then worst crimes have been committed and forgiven. :lol:
Besides I'm sure you are very busy and just don't have the time. :D

[Laredo Tugger]

What? Shame?
At 68 you can be proud that you can afford to pay someone else to get their hands dirty. bust a knuckle getting a wheel off and pound in new races.
No shame at all. You got to crack a beer and watch. Always the best job.
I am proud of you.
Congrats
RMc

[gearhead]

^^^yep. Just never paid someone to do it.

[sourdough]

When my R knee got so bad after multiple surgeries I kept trying to do it on my own. When the L quit and they worked it over, then the R again and they just quit bending like they used to I accepted that someone had to do mine; DW tried helping me crawl up and down one time and that was it. It's OK. At some point we have to sort of let go....and you know from doing it yourself what to expect and/or ask.

[bobbecky]

In the old days, dads could convince their sons to learn how to do certain jobs, such as packing bearings, mowing the lawn, and other less than desirable jobs, but any more, all the kids want to do is play on their phones. Maybe dads should start trying to get their daughters to learn these jobs:D

[flybouy]

Heard on the news lately that a car fell on a 68 yr working on his car and killed him. Personally I had to give up doing a lot of work due to injuries resulting in over a dozen surgeries' on my neck, shoulder and arm. It took me some time to concede to the fact that I couldn't do things that required having my hands over my head or being able to move my neck to any great degree. Really PO'd me that I have a garage full of tools, air compressor, welder etc. and had to pay someone to do it but it's a fact of life. As previously stated at least you know what to expect. When I pay someone to do work for me I'll explain to them up front that I'm fully knowledgeable about the repair and could due this myself but injuries prevent me from doing it any longer. This sort of "puts them on notice" if you will not to attempt to rip me off. So far it's worked.

[ctbruce]

This is trickle down economics in action. Take splice in the fact you helped feed another. It's all good.

[Getn off]

Well, "Gearhead" you are not! Next step is to change your screen name! Lol
Troy

[Ken / Claudia]

Your still way ahead by just getting them checked and greased. No mess to clean up after. I paid to have the RV brakes and bearings checked and cleaned last year. It was the easiest grease job I have ever done. It is just money, I donated about 150 to the shop owner over me doing it.

[Cbrez]

It is a crummy job no doubt. The two things I dislike the most are [i] I can barely lift the wheels to get them back on the hub, and [ii] grease everywhere. I go thru at least one roll of shop towels and 5-6 pairs of latex gloves. I do like personally inspecting the races and seeing the bright red grease push out all of the dark grease. Since the work is totally concealed when completed, I think it’s definitely a job for a trusted mechanic. I’m not ready to pay someone to do the job just yet, but I will probably get there at an earlier age than you. No shame whatsoever.

[gearhead]

Yeah when I first picked up that H ply Sailun spare to move it I about screamed. Jeez this thing is heavy. After 3 back surgeries I think it's about time to let someone else do it.

[gearhead]

In the old days, dads could convince their sons to learn how to do certain jobs, such as packing bearings, mowing the lawn, and other less than desirable jobs, but any more, all the kids want to do is play on their phones. Maybe dads should start trying to get their daughters to learn these jobs:D

Lots of truth there. We never let the kids have a TV in their bedroom, or bought them a video game player.
I taught the son how to pack bearings and whatever was needed around the house. Seems to have been a lot of ATV repairs after he borrowed it. LOL He is now an Instrument/Control Tech for Chevron. He occasionally laughs about his coworkers that act like shoe salesmen. He will tear into anything.
And yeah I should have paid more attention to our daughter. She told me she always wanted to mow the yard.

[BulletOwner1]

What? Shame?
At 68 you can be proud that you can afford to pay someone else to get their hands dirty. bust a knuckle getting a wheel off and pound in new races.
No shame at all. You got to crack a beer and watch. Always the best job.
I am proud of you.
Congrats
RMc

I absolutely agree. Being 68 also there is no shame! At least you are getting them done. How many un-maintained bearings are there out there? Makes me cringe to think about it.

I gave up oil changes also a few years ago as well. No crawling on my back and no waste to deal with. As much as I've got invested in my pickup I'll let the dealer do it and have that peace of mind. I know I pay a little extra but if something goes bad I know who to blame.

[Cougar Jim]

Okay guys, at what mileage do you think the bearings need repacking? We used it 6200 miles this summer plus about 1800 factory to dealer.

Cougar Jim

[Phil Saran]

At 71 I still know how to repack the bearings, BUT where my 5th wheel is stored
does not allow work to be done, and I live in a HOA community that also does not
allow work to be done outside.

I like the comment about trickle down economy.

[flybouy]

Can I confess?
We're all friends right?
Don't tell anybody.

I PAID SOMEBODY TO PACK MY OWN WHEEL BEARINGS.

Never before have I committed such an act in all my 68 years.
Don't let my ex-coworkers find out.
I think they even used Exxon grease.
Oh the shame.

Gearhead, I just affirmed my membership in the club Friday. :)Had a pinion seal leak Dripping on the rear diff of the Superduty. Got the tools, got the know how, got the tie and paid a garage to do it. I have to weigh pain vs $$. Pain won so I paid. :banghead:

[SkiSmuggs]

Okay guys, at what mileage do you think the bearings need repacking? We used it 6200 miles this summer plus about 1800 factory to dealer.

Cougar Jim

Maybe 10k, about now. Once a year is bs if you only take it to a seasonal site and bak every year, but spot on for a cross country trip.

[larryflew]

Getting old is not for the weak. 71 and lots of pain and ailments later just happy about the things i can still do and paying for the heavy work so we can keep on keepin' on.

[cliff]

Not only do I let somebody repack my wheel bearing, but I go to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. I used to do that stuff awhile back, but no longer. Let some young kid get dirty and bloody knuckles.

[JRTJH]

Okay guys, at what mileage do you think the bearings need repacking? We used it 6200 miles this summer plus about 1800 factory to dealer.

Cougar Jim

First, with 10K on the bearings, do you even know if they were properly installed and packed when the trailer left the factory or when it left the dealership? We've got numerous accounts of "improperly lubricated and improperly installed axle components" and there are at least 2 recalls for "factory problems associated with improper assembly/improper lubrication" of the axles that were delivered to customers.

I'd suggest at least a "pretty darn quick" inspection/regreasing to determine if there is anything wrong/improperly installed/inadequately greased from the factory. It could be that everything is good with no problems or it could be that "you've been darned lucky not to have had a catastrophic failure"....

[Carolyn]

I helped my 76 year old husband replace all the hydraulic hoses under our Avalanche 330RE. We had to cut the underbelly to find where they hooked to the cylinders that ran the slides! After about 4 days of being under the RV and almost $400 we had replaced the hydraulic lines by pulling them through from the old ones and had everything put back together. Talk about getting dirty!!! This was after we replaced a leaky hot water heater that had leaked into the underbelly under the bedroom along with the oil from the leaky hydraulic hose! So we had to take the gooey insulation out of there and replace t! Too much under the trailer work for a 74 and 76 year old. Then he had to put a new radiator in our Dodge Ram Diesel! I think that was number 3!! It is really hard for my life long mechanic hubby to give it up and let someone do it for him!

[LewisB]

Can I confess?
I PAID SOMEBODY TO PACK MY OWN WHEEL BEARINGS.
I think they even used Exxon grease.

What!!! How difficult is it to pick up a set of wheel bearings and pack them into your suitcase??? And what's all this talk about grease???
.
.
.
haha - Just kidding! In my book, I think you are getting smarter as you get older!

[Uncle Dougie]

I too, have many battle wounds from doing my own vehicle maintenance. I considered myself to be successfully retired when I felt that I could afford to pay someone else to do the dirty work. Last year I took my Keystone Premier 30REPR to the dealer to have the wheel bearings packed and a couple of other small things done. I towed to Texas and back from Missouri for the winter. When I was setting up the I noticed, the cap was knocked out and the grease cap had come off and had been bouncing around in the center cap for who knows how many miles. I had to take the wheel off and put the grease cap back on. When we got back home the RV sat for a while and I decided to drain the system to sanitize. When I got under the TT to open the low point drain I noticed that the brake wire had been cut and the end taped. I had many questions, did it come from the factory like that, or did the dealership mechanic disconnect it? Why didn't the mechanic notice this disconnected wire? I'm not too proud of myself for allowing this to happen. I think I will try to find a helpful neighbor and give them a little mechanical knowledge, while I supervise from now on. It is a shame that the dealer network cannot provide better service.

[Rubicon100]

Gearhead I completely understand. My dad taught us kids when we were growing up to always fix our own stuff but I just got home from dropping off my wifes Tahoe for a fuel pump.
I'm not in good enough health right now and I felt guilty but I know the owner of the shop and I trust he will do it right. At least you are taking care of your camper and making sure it's ready to go anywhere you want.
You are forgiven and stay safe.
Dan

[fordmd]

Can I confess?
We're all friends right?
Don't tell anybody.

I PAID SOMEBODY TO PACK MY OWN WHEEL BEARINGS.

Never before have I committed such an act in all my 68 years.
Don't let my ex-coworkers find out.
I think they even used Exxon grease.
Oh the shame.

I’m in my early 50’s and I just paid someone to do by brake shoes and bearings. Maybe I should be ashamed, but I’m not. I’ve been an automotive technician for 35+ years and I really don’t care to sit on the ground and play with what is niw no me, nasty smelling, bearing grease. I hired a green technician to sit in on his young butt and do it for me. I supplied tools, parts, and know how. He supplied the good knees. Don’t be ashamed. It’s a miserable job, so if you can afford to do so, go for it.

[chuckster57]

Don’t be ashamed. It’s a miserable job, so if you can afford to do so, go for it.

Keeps me employed :)

I’m 62, been wrenching on cars “on the side” for over 40 years and still to cheap to pay someone.

[Braysgrandpa]

53 years old, heavily used and abused by the US Army for 27 years. You're right I'm gonna pay somebody!!

[gearhead]

Okay guys, at what mileage do you think the bearings need repacking? We used it 6200 miles this summer plus about 1800 factory to dealer.

Cougar Jim
I would just guess at 12,000, 15,000 max.
In my previous life it was expected for pump, turbine, gearbox bearings to have a 8 year life of continuous service.
But I'm assuming a API pump had much more vigorous engineering than a spindle for a travel trailer.

[gearhead]

Well, "Gearhead" you are not! Next step is to change your screen name! Lol
Troy
I'm thinking of a new one, but cant say it here.

And yes, I pay my car dealer $10 labor to change oil.
And no, I don't go in the customer waiting room and play on my phone.

[atkinsb3]

Realizing age and health will eventually bring it to an end, but I got tired of paying people to screw up my vehicles and having to take things back a second or third time.. so started doing everything that I can myself. I found the quality of workmanship has dramatically increased and I have more money in my pocket.

[GMcKenzie]

Not only do I let somebody repack my wheel bearing, but I go to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. I used to do that stuff awhile back, but no longer. Let some young kid get dirty and bloody knuckles.

Where I live, getting rid of used oil is a PITA, so I pay someone to change my oil.

I repacked my bearings myself this year. :hide:

[atkinsb3]

Pretty lucky as far as disposing of used oil goes. We can take it to the county dump and get rid of it for nothing (well ok, taxes)...and we live a little over 5 miles from the dump.

[Logan X]

The last time I repacked the wheel bearings on my trailer I peeled my 12 year old son away from his phone long enough to help me. We had a good time. I like to do as much work on my trailer as I can, but only because I enjoy it. If I didn’t enjoy it or if I couldn’t, there is absolutely no shame in paying someone else to do it.

[Rwake901]

At 61 I still do everything I can myself. Mostly because I trust my work. I already draw the line at roofing though, that’s a young mans job! I know those days are coming to an end and I too will have to hire most things done. The thing I worry about though is finding someone you can trust. Sucks getting older. 🙂

[hankpage]

Sucks getting older. 🙂

But it beats the alternative, :devil::angel:

[blubuckaroo]

I think the most important thing here is that you know how to do the work and could do it if needed.
I don't believe you should RV unless you are capable and have the knowledge to do, at least, the minor maintenance and repairs. Being broke down without knowledge and ability makes you vulnerable to overcharging.

I do my own brakes and wheel bearings, and chassis maintenance because I don't trust anyone else to do it. As a young man I worked in a brake shop, and the way the workers are rushed scares me.

[BikerRN1]

In the old days, dads could convince their sons to learn how to do certain jobs, such as packing bearings, mowing the lawn, and other less than desirable jobs, but any more, all the kids want to do is play on their phones. Maybe dads should start trying to get their daughters to learn these jobs:D

Mine did just that. He wanted me to be a strong independent woman...it worked! That said, I usually pay, but don't get taken advantage of.