right way to pack trailer bearings ?

[OtisBlkR1]

Yep, trailer bearings.. Never done it before and decided to give it a go today.

Removed wheel
Removed dust cap
removed cotter pin
removed nut
pulled off Hub
packed hub with fresh grease
cleared away excess grease that pushed out after i slid it on the axle.
Put it back together..

Does this about sum it up or are there (trade secrets" i may have missed ? Both trailer wheels spun freely and nice when i was done.

appreciate any input, it seemed faily straight forward but im double checking on here.

 

[Chris142]

Not even close! You didn't remove the bearings to grease them and you have to remove the inner seal to get the inner bearing out to pack it.

 

[EricF]

If the trailer is going to be dipped in the water, then you need to use marine grade grease so the rust won't occur to quickly!

 

[Donald]

Utility or boat trailer?

Boat trailer will need waterproof trailer grease.

You need to grease the actual bearings. You cannot do the inside one unless you pull the seal. And replace the seal with a new one.

You wipe off all the grease from a bearing. Look at some of the rollers for signs of rust. If any rust replace the bearing and race. So no rust. Take a wad of grease in your palm (ping pong ball size) and push one section of the bearing into the grease. Rotate 1/4. Do again. (Continue to rotate and do again). You want to see old grease come out the top of the bearing as you push the bearing into the wad of grease. Obviously your hands, the grease and the bearing need to be & stay clean.

They sell a bearing packing machine, but its no fun.

Typically your Dad shows you how to do it when you are 17 and turn a "bearing man".

You also need to "set" the nut that holds on the hub.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Utility or boat trailer?

Boat trailer will need waterproof trailer grease.

You need to grease the actual bearings. You cannot do the inside one unless you pull the seal. And replace the seal with a new one.

You wipe off all the grease from a bearing. Look at some of the rollers for signs of rust. If any rust replace the bearing and race. So no rust. Take a wad of grease in your palm (ping pong ball size) and push one section of the bearing into the grease. Rotate 1/4. Do again. (Continue to rotate and do again). You want to see old grease come out the top of the bearing as you push the bearing into the wad of grease. Obviously your hands, the grease and the bearing need to be & stay clean.

They sell a bearing packing machine, but its no fun.

Typically your Dad shows you how to do it when you are 17 and turn a "bearing man".

You also need to "set" the nut that holds on the hub.


this is a utility trailer, and even so i used waterproof grease. The outside (wheel side) bearing came right out on both sides without a fuss, i just recovered both with grease and pushed them back in (sorry i wasnt more specific)) the back bearing i did not take out, just packed that sucker with grease.

define "set the nut" as i just got it tight enuff there was no play in the hub and put the cotter pin in.

If i need the bearing pulled and pressed i may just pull off the hubs and run them somewhere. the wheels were making no strange noises ect, im just getting ready to take this trailer on a trip and thought greasing things up sounded like a good idea.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Not even close! You didn't remove the bearings to grease them and you have to remove the inner seal to get the inner bearing out to pack it.



hmmm.. not what i wanted to hear.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

lucky for me there is a RV shop just down the road, i will seek expert advice.. lets hope my wallet does not shrink to much.

 

[George7941]

You did reasonably well and now you should just fogetaboutit. No need to take it to the RV shop.

 

[exranger06]

Just go on Youtube and search "how to pack bearings." You'll see it's very easy.