Who packs their own bearings

[msubobcats]

We have a Cougar 5th by the sig... We are having the bearings packed on Friday. Cost will be ~$280. The dealer says they recommend packing every year or 10000 miles. We may put on 3000-5000 miles a year, so far.
Is this very high on the difficulty scale? What "special tools" would one need. I would need a jack. My oldie 2 ton is fairly heavy but don't think I would trust it. Thinking of a bottle from something like Harbor Freight, $30_$40. Sears had a nice one for $50.
In the old days at the Union Station we used a bearing press to lube the bearings. I would probably need a fairly decent lug wrench. Do have a Harbor Freight torque wrench for tightening. OR, I know it is not recommended raising the 5th Wheel off the ground with the leveling system, but is that feasible?
Thanks for any advice.

[chuckster57]

That's a pretty good price for tandem axle service.

Easy DIY job, and we use the leveling system to lift trailers all the time. I'm on my phone using one finger on that tiny keyboard, so trying to type the procedure might take to long. If someone else doesn't reply with the procedure, PM me and we can talk on the phone.

[Desert185]

I do one wheel at a time by jacking under the ubolt near the tire. All you have to do is compress the spring a bit to raise the tire. You don't have to lift the trailer by the frame.

You should already have a 200 ft lb torque wrench for the TV and trailer. Plan on changing the seals while you're there, replacing the cotter pins and giving the brakes a good inspection.

Wash the bearings with solvent before you repack them with a good grease. I use Texas Refinery Corp, 880 C&C, NLGI #2 purchased from Amazon.

There's probably a Youtube video on how to do it.

[66joej]

^ Definitely not that difficult. As noted above check on YOUTube.

[bsmith0404]

For the most part you only need to have the tools required for changing a flat tire and a couple extra hand tools. Here is a Dexter book that will help you with everything on your axle assembly, including a brake inspection. I enjoy the couple hours spent packing the bearings, it's part of my therapy.

https://www.dexteraxle.com/docs/defa....pdf?sfvrsn=16

[msubobcats]

This year I will have them do the job as there is a wheel seal leaking and they mentioned what I think is an actuator that will be replaced... The complete drum brake assembly. But after this year I will be handling pit row.

[Outback 325BH]

I pack my own bearings. Desert185 said it all.

I recently changed my bearings to USA made Timkens and used Timken brand wheel bearing grease, however I use Texas Refinery grease on my tractor. It is all good.

If you can change a tire, can pull off a hub and know how to clean and grease a bearing... you are good to go.

Packing wheel bearings is like doing an oil change: it isn't that complicated, however if done incorrectly the ramifications can be severe.

Don't forget new seals.

I forgot to say: I don't mess with the ez-lube mess... just do a good hand-pack!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bartbill]

I pack mine. Did a stupid thing last time. I didn't check the fit of the race and bearing, just assumed they were correct. When I repacked this year I noticed abnormal wear on the bearing . When I drove out the race and checked -it was the wrong race/bearing combo. Got them directly from a parts house. Got lucky.