How to Repair Trailer Wheel Bearings on the Road
- Assemble a first-aid kit. In a surplus ammo can, place spare bearings, seals, a seal puller, marine-grade bearing grease, mineral spirits or kerosene, a small notepad and pencil, and this ...
- Disassemble. Loosen the lug nuts, jack up the trailer, and pull the wheel from the hub. ...
- Clean. ...
- Repack. ...
- Reassemble. ...
Full Answer
How much does it cost to repack trailer wheel bearings?
Wheel bearings are usually designed to last an extremely long time. So, how much does it cost to pack wheel bearings on a trailer? Surprising little, expect to pay as little as $100 and at most $400. If you want to save some money you can do it yourself, but in my opinion, it’s not worth it unless you have ample experience and all the necessary tools. Replacing wheel bearings. Replacing even just one wheel bearing set is quite expensive due to the intensive labour requires. There are quite ...
How often do you need to repack travel trailer bearings?
The safest method for knowing when to repack your bearings is do it every year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. While there may be people who go longer than this suggested timeframe, this is the best way to protect yourself and your trailer from any mishaps on the road while traveling.
How to grease and repack your trailer bearings?
Part 2 Part 2 of 2: Cleaning and Greasing the Bearings
- Soak the bearings and spindle nut in kerosene. Use a small pan and fill the bottom with 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of kerosene.
- Clean the inner and outer races while the bearings are soaking. ...
- Replace the grease seal every time you grease the trailer bearings. ...
- Wipe down the clean bearings and spindle nut with brake cleaner. ...
How to pick the right trailer bearings?
So many choices
- SL (Slimline or Ford) bearings are rated for 1500 kg on a 45 mm round or square axle.
- Parallel bearings are generally considered better for going off road as they have a higher load rating (1600 kg). ...
- For heavier-duty trailers there are 1.5 tonne, 2 tonne, 3 tonne sets.
How do you fix bearings on a trailer?
3:399:07How to Replace Trailer Wheel Bearings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd see if there's any wear and tear if it's all good then we can go ahead and put the new bearings.MoreAnd see if there's any wear and tear if it's all good then we can go ahead and put the new bearings. In. So just like that you want to pop the old bearing out I just used a screwdriver.
How do you resurface trailer bearings?
3:458:11How To Repack Your Trailer Wheel Bearings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou put the bearing in and press to see grease come. Out. Now you need to put a little bit of greaseMoreYou put the bearing in and press to see grease come. Out. Now you need to put a little bit of grease on the outside of the bearing. So the bearing is well lubricated.
How often should trailer bearings be repacked?
The axle manufacturers recommend that you repack your trailer bearings once annually or every 12,000 km.
How do you know when trailer bearings are bad?
0:321:20How To Check a Utility Trailer Wheel For a Bad Wheel Bearing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf there's no play then your wheel bearing should be good there's a lot of play then you would wantMoreIf there's no play then your wheel bearing should be good there's a lot of play then you would want to change your little bearings out and get some new wheel bearings.
Are bearing buddies worth it?
Bearing Buddies are a great way to keep grease in a trailer hub. I recommend them as long as you are aware that it's very easy to put too much grease in a hub with these which will blow out the seal. They have no problem being used on longer road trips so the would work well for you.
Can you over grease trailer wheel bearings?
Too much grease causes churning and higher temperatures. Semi-fluid grease must be used with a vented hub cap. It cannot be packed around the bearing as it will slump.
Can you over grease a bearing?
Too much grease volume (overgreasing) in a bearing cavity will cause the rotating bearing elements to begin churning the grease, pushing it out of the way, resulting in energy loss and rising temperatures.
How much does it cost to have trailer bearings repack?
Trailers tend to be cheaper to repack professionally (think $100-$200), but don't underestimate the power of the upsells a mechanic might try to give you. If you're serious about cash, you can likely save a few bucks by repacking your bearings yourself.
How tight should trailer bearing nuts be?
Correct Torque Rating for a Trailer Wheel Spindle Nut The nut on the spindle should be tightened until snug, with no side-to-side play in the hub and then backed off slightly, about maybe a 1/8 of a turn.
How long do trailer bearings last?
Thanks for any advice. Expert Reply: We recommended to repack the wheel bearings on your trailer every 12 months or 12,000 miles. There is not a specific guideline as far as actually replacing the bearings.
What happens if you drive a trailer with a bad wheel bearing?
A damaged wheel bearing does not only cause a vehicle to be shaky and noisy; it can also cost you more money by damaging other nearby parts, and even force your entire wheel to fly off when driving at high speed. So if you're thinking of saving in the long term, pay close attention to your bearings.
What causes trailer wheel bearing failure?
There are five primary causes of bearing failures. They are: lack of lubrication, overloading the vehicle, installing the axle nut too tight, or installing the axle nut too loose, contamination of the grease due to missing / defective grease caps and seals.
How do you clean and repack trailer bearings?
1:1511:54How to Repack Trailer Wheel Bearings [Start to Finish] - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're going to pull this dust cover on the outside off next I like to use a screw driver that'sMoreAnd we're going to pull this dust cover on the outside off next I like to use a screw driver that's really small a flathead. And just squeeze it between the flange on it to just pry it off a little.
How much does it cost to repack trailer bearings?
Trailers tend to be cheaper to repack professionally (think $100-$200), but don't underestimate the power of the upsells a mechanic might try to give you. If you're serious about cash, you can likely save a few bucks by repacking your bearings yourself.
How do you pack a bearing?
3:169:34How to pack wheel bearings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll see it start to roll through the other side and then that's how you kind of flush out all theMoreYou'll see it start to roll through the other side and then that's how you kind of flush out all the old grease that's in there and you bring new grease in.
How do you repack trailer bearings without brakes?
Remove the wheel. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel. ... Remove the cotter pin. Straighten the ends of the cotter pin and pull it out with needlenose pliers. ... Remove the rear bearing and seal. ... Pack grease into the bearings. ... Reassemble the hub.
How to lubricate marine bearings?
Place a glob of marine bearing grease in the palm of one hand and hold the bearing with the fingers of the other. Work the grease into the bearing cage, turning it to lubricate each bearing. Put a thin coating onto the spindle and inside of the hub. Reassemble.
How to remove a cotter pin from a spindle?
Release the cotter pin from the spindle nut, then remove the nut and washer, and the entire hub should slip off the axle. There are two sets of bearings: one on the inside and one on the outside. Remove them. Tap out the grease seal.
How to remove rear bearing and seal?
To remove the rear bearing and seal, tap along the rim of the bearing with a block of wood and a hammer. If the seal is rusted to the back of the hub, spray a little WD-40 on the back to help loosen it. If the seal is damaged, replace it.
How to grease a bearing?
Pack grease into the bearings. Push the grease into the bearings, working from the wide side of the bearing. Keep pushing the grease into the roller until the cage and rollers are filled. Next coat the inside of the hub with grease.
What to do if your trailer spins?
If you hear friction or a growling sound, you most likely have a bad bearing or spindle. If this is the case, take the trailer to a service center to get the trailer bearings replaced.
How to get a cotter pin out of a sleeve?
Straighten the ends of the cotter pin and pull it out with needlenose pliers.
How to clean grease from a car?
Clean all the grease from the bearings, races and seal with a brush in a small pan of kerosene. Inspect them for signs of wear and replace them if they look suspect. Once the bearings and parts are clean, spray them with brake cleaner and set them aside to dry.
Can you repack a boat trailer wheel bearing?
How many trailers have you seen on the side of the road this year with one wheel propped up? Don't let it happen to you. If you haven't checked your wheel bearings lately, read this article. You can complete this simple task in about an hour and save yourself a big repair bill.
How to replace a hub bearing?
Replace the hub bearings, washers, and spindle nuts. Rotate the hub assembly slowly while tightening the spindle nut to 50 foot pounds. Loosen the spindle nut to remove the torque. Rotate the spindle nut until snug. Cover with grease cap.
How to check if you need new bearings?
Check to see if you need new bearings. Jack up your trailers so the wheels are off the ground. Make sure the jack is on the frame and not the axle. Take the wheel and wiggle it back and forth to check how much play there is , or spin the wheel to see if it wobbles. If there is any wobbling or wiggling, then your axle bearings need to be replaced.
