Wheel bearings
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Some folks never inspect or repack wheel bearings. Well, maybe they do after they fail, I dunno. On RWD vehicles the steering axle interval is 20k miles or somesuch. When I was in the .mil on aircraft interval was by time, every six months.
Have to use a little common sense. If it's not getting the miles put on it, you're probably OK for a long time. If fording deep streams or river crossings, that's different too.
Have to use a little common sense. If it's not getting the miles put on it, you're probably OK for a long time. If fording deep streams or river crossings, that's different too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
I guess it depends. I bought an open car hauler that has tandem 5,000 lbs Dexter axles. The trailer dealer recommended every 5 years or 12,000 miles which ever comes first.
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Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 655
From: Sioux Falls Area
Finally did the horse trailer after about 10 years. Maybe 20,000 miles ish. Just cleaned them and repacked them with what I had on hand. Penzoil high temp in the front axle, and valvoline synpower in the rear axle. Didn't have enough of either one to do the whole trailer
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 382
From: Oregon
I do my boat trailer every couple years. Keep the hub full and no water can get in there. Boat trailers are a little different with water immersion. My little flat bed is 5 years old and haven't touched it yet. It was full too. I don't see any grease coning out of the rear seal yet so not too worried about it but it's probably time to change the seal and repack for maintenance sake. The Ez-lube is a pretty nice system as you can swap out the old grease with fresh with a grease gun and not have to take anything apart.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
Thats a good idea. Never heard of that before
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
What type of grease do you use?
Finally did the horse trailer after about 10 years. Maybe 20,000 miles ish. Just cleaned them and repacked them with what I had on hand. Penzoil high temp in the front axle, and valvoline synpower in the rear axle. Didn't have enough of either one to do the whole trailer
Finally did the horse trailer after about 10 years. Maybe 20,000 miles ish. Just cleaned them and repacked them with what I had on hand. Penzoil high temp in the front axle, and valvoline synpower in the rear axle. Didn't have enough of either one to do the whole trailer
I use Valvoline high temp multi-purpose grease. I get it in a bucket.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
I'd be very supprised if I've put 3000kms on it and the first owner had a lot at the lake he would take it to and leave it for the year so he put maybe another 3000kms ish on it. Not very many I'd say but I'm going to do them just for piece of mind.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 372
Do mine every 2-3 years. It's a pain but I completely clean and inspect all parts for wear, damage, etc. New seals of course... (can't see how you'd do the job and reuse the old seals). I honestly thing that's excessive since I only do 2-3 thousand miles per year. On mine you gotta pull drums to inspect brakes anyway so might as well clean/repack bearings.