Wheel bearing repacking

[Ljavaejb]

How often do you repack the RV wheel bearings? I'm getting many different opinions on this question.

 

[Kevin2282]

I am not a full timer so my usage is not great right now. I do mine every three years or 12,000 miles whichever comes first. I use Shell Rotella HD grease and have had really good luck with it. I also use Timken bearings and double lip seals.

 

[Conner58]

You will have to decide what's best . Going to get all kinds of answers.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

How often do you repack the RV wheel bearings? I'm getting many different opinions on this question.

You'll get just about as many opinions as there are people on the forum. Some people quote the builders CYA pronouncements, and some are more relaxed about adhering to the precepts. I, for one, am one who thinks the wheel bearings should be checked/greased when you first get your trailer home, regardless of whether it's new, or just new-to-you. That way you know the conditions of the bearings and the amount of grease, and placement thereof. I re-check mine very few years because IMO, the grease doesn't wear out and doesn't disappear, unless there is clear evidence to the contrary. But that's just me.

 

[jleonard]

I have been doing mine annually, by removing the drums and bearings, cleaning them and repacking by hand. But i also have been putting between 6500 and 10,000 miles each year.
I use high temp wheel bearing grease from Autozone, whatever brand they have at the time ( i think ive been using Valvoline).

 

[Second Chance]

Thread moved to Axles, Brakes and Suspension.

On both of our rigs, we repacked every two years or 12,000 miles (we were full-timers). The process always involved removing the hubs/rotors, cleaning and inspecting the bearings, repacking, and replacing the seals. The process NEVER involved any Zerk fittings if present.

Rob

 

[Wileykid]

I do mine every other year, or about 14,000 miles(ish), even then they have looked good. More frequently would only be if I thought there was a problem.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

How often do you repack the RV wheel bearings? I'm getting many different opinions on this question.

And you will always get lots of different opinions. Axle Manufacturer recommendations are every year or 12k miles. GD recommends tearing the suspension completely apart ever twelve months. I'll bet there are very few people who follow those guidelines but you know what the OEM's recommend.
Like Howard, I don't see grease wearing out in 50k miles let alone in one year so I go two or three years between re-packs. And a re-pack is not just pumping grease into the zerk. It's removing and taking a look at each bearing and repacking it prior to installing it back on the spindle. There is no other way to be sure your bearings are in good shape. And your brake magnets. There are wear indicators on them as well but you need to remove the hub to see them.
However....if you just camp locally to spots within an hour of home or so...I'd go ten years after the initial 'look see' that Howard recomendeds.

 

[el Rojo]

Adding another dimension to your question. Every time I stop on the road, I shoot the hub temps with a infrared gun. I'm just looking for differences in temps of more that 10%. This way, if I have one going out I can see it coming and can address it on my time line. Otherwise, I'm a once a year guy.

 

[goducks14]

I do mine every 2 years regardless of mileage. Usually put about 4000 miles on in a year.

 

[jleonard]

I dont use a heat gun, i use my hand to check for heat. If cool to the touch I’m good.

 

[jjbbrewer]

I dont use a heat gun, i use my hand to check for heat. If cool to the touch I’m good.

I did that one time after a downhill off ramp from the highway into the fuel station.
I don't know about my bearings, but I'm sure my brakes were working.

Fortunately, they had some ice available in the gas station.

 

[Dragfam1127]

I would pack them myself new or used first. This will give you a point to measure from on miles and years for comparison. When automobiles had repacked wheel bearings it was at a 30k service interval. Year wise it would depend more on types of roads(dirt or paved) and wet weather being a constant ( moisture getting past bearing seals).

 

[Gary1984]

I would recommend a tpms. You always know what the tire pressures are but also the temperature you are running. The temperature will usually show you if a wheel bearing or a faulty brake is heating up. I would say repack the wheel bearings ever twenty thousand miles. That’s just my experience.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

I finally did mine for the first time last December... 5 years, over 28K miles and they looked like the new ones I had sitting there just in case. Cleaned with solvent, dried, and repacked by hand. Good to go for another few years.

 

[Tony_in_AZ]

First trip in our new to us 2021 Solitude, It was only 14 months old....

LF tire felt loose after 500+ miles. The "tech" that repak'd the bearings before we bought the unit managed to flip the inner garter spring out of the seal. Spring wedged between the inner bearing and spindle. As the spring flattened, the adjustment became loose. I fixed that in a campground. The dust covers on the hubs looked like a 9 year old with a hammer had installed them

 

[Gary1984]

Most bearings fail because of lack of grease or tightening too tight.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

The "tech"

Ah yes. The now meaningless title. When I'm somewhere and am told a "tech" will look at it, I assume he may have been just hired the day before and has the bare minimum of training...if any.

 

[BoredWeasel]

I did mine after the first year of ownership and about 5k miles. No heat or wear noted. I will check again in two years.

Like many have said, I would rather spend an afternoon of my choosing taking care of it verse a remote area on a weekend in the rain dealing with a preventable failure.

 

[Ljavaejb]

Thanks all. Appreciate the wisdom