When was the last time you had your TV bearings repacked

[michael_h]

Most people never have their vehicles front bearings repacked, but it seems that the talk is every two years or few thousand miles to have their trailer bearings repacked.

Was just wondering why the frequency on the trailer verses less or none on the tow vehicle

[MotownJG]

Well, all I can say is that we had our Cougar 5th wheel bearings repacked this year after a year of use and we bought it used. No problems.

So good question, but I gots no answer. Thinking of getting them repacked once a year when the brakes get checked at the RV dealer I go to.

[Hideout17]

Most wheel bearings are a sealed unit on cars and trucks today....

[gearhead]

Years ago when cars were rear wheel drive, I would repackage at 25,000 miles. Everything I own now is 4 wheel drive.
I have no idea how the front bearings are, or could be, sealed on a 2 wheel drive truck. Someone will have to explain that.
I'm no expert in automotive bearing sizing, but the bearings in my 5200# Montana axles look a little small to me. I'm guessing Dexter is just covering their behinds regarding warranty claims.

[chuckster57]

Lots of newer vehicles have a sealed hub unit. On some the assembly is held on by three bolts installed on the back side of the spindle. On some they are pressed into the hub and then slipped on over the spindle. On some imports the bearing is pressed into the spindle (piece between upper and lower ball joints) and then the hub with lugs is pressed into the bearing. I have lost count of how many sealed hubs I have replaced.

[bobbecky]

We usually put 10,000 miles or more on our rig each year, so pulling the wheels and drums is needed annually to inspect the brakes, so naturally, the bearings are going to be repacked, new seals installed, and then put back together. You could probably get by with every two years if you don't put too many miles on your rig, but if you abide by Dexter's service guidelines, annually is the routine, and really, cheap insurance. This is also a much cheaper service if you learn to do it yourself, but that is your choice. I do ours, and a pound can of grease, four seals, some rags and solvent and assuming the brakes are good, I can do the service for less than $30, and maybe 3 hours, taking my time.

[slow]

If you do not want to have to repack wheel bearings on a regular basis, you can upgrade to a sealed cartridge bearing system hub. Dexter offers it:

http://www.dexteraxle.com/nev_r_lube_bearings

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/...ing_System.pdf

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Tra...ev~R~Lube.aspx

[dcg9381]

That's kinda cool.. anyone have actual experience with these?

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Lots of newer vehicles have a sealed hub unit. On some the assembly is held on by three bolts installed on the back side of the spindle. On some they are pressed into the hub and then slipped on over the spindle. On some imports the bearing is pressed into the spindle (piece between upper and lower ball joints) and then the hub with lugs is pressed into the bearing. I have lost count of how many sealed hubs I have replaced.

It seems the sealed bearing units get replaced much more frequently than the non-sealed, greased bearings, like ball joints or u-joints without zerks. One of the most overserviced items on little airplanes are the wheel bearings. I suspect trailers having their wheel bearings serviced each year fall into the same category. Having said that, in all the years I have been repacking wheel bearings, I have never had a bearing failure with a bearing properly serviced on a reasonably frequent schedule (even though a warranty voiding schedule ). Of course, the Chinese bearings these days might be the exception.

[chuckster57]

Anybody notice this thread went from front bearings on the TOW VEHICLE to the bearings on our trailers?

[slow]

Originally Posted by michael_h

.................Was just wondering why the frequency on the trailer verses less or none on the tow vehicle

I think we are still on track with the original OP question of why a difference in service frequency.

Short answer, different bearings.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Lots of newer vehicles have a sealed hub unit. On some the assembly is held on by three bolts installed on the back side of the spindle. On some they are pressed into the hub and then slipped on over the spindle. On some imports the bearing is pressed into the spindle (piece between upper and lower ball joints) and then the hub with lugs is pressed into the bearing. I have lost count of how many sealed hubs I have replaced.

I can see it on a front wheel drive, but are you saying the front wheel bearings on a rear wheel drive truck are sealed? I haven't been in a 2 wheel drive since my 1991 Chevy.

[chuckster57]

Yes. Just did a 2WD Dodge truck last month. My '94 F350 has tapered bearings and I did them when I bought the truck in 2008, that was 21,000 miles ago.

Not sure what year sealed front bearings became the norm, but I have changed Them on the big three for the last few years.

[carwheel_09]

Repack my front bearing on my two wheel Super Duty at 50k. They are old school, truck has the same twin Ibeam from the late 90's.

[Yak]

Focus rear drums have a sealed bearing pressed into the drum, it's cheaper to replace the drum. On some 2wd F150s they use the same hub as the 4wd, just no axle.