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Here is my take on this. That grease is way to thin to be using for wheel bearings.
Would you use that grease on your DD car / truck wheel bearings and if not why?
I also do not like them "bearing buddy" grease caps as you can pack too much grease into the hub and blow out seals that then coat the brakes and so on.
I use good old wheel bearing grease like on all my cars & trucks wheel bearings, if good for them it is good for the trailer as they are the same type of "wheel" bearings.
On my trailers, mostly car trailers, they get serviced at the beginning of the year and an eye kept on them thru out the year and never had a problem.
Many trips from CT to NJ / MD and out to OH once a year.
Last time I used the trailer it made 3 trips from CT to NC loaded with a car and stuff inside, we were moving, and back up empty all with in 3 weeks.
No problems and that was at 70 MPH and I use light truck tires on it.
If the grease tub dose not say "wheel bearing grease" I will not use it for wheel bearings it is just that simple.
Dave ----
Grease that's appropriate for wheel bearings will say "GC-LB" on it somewhere. Generally the grease will mention for use in high-speed wheel bearings somewhere on the tube or tub but not always, sometimes the manufacturer assumes the purchaser knows that a GC-LB grease is appropriate for that purpose. I use a GC-LB grease for everything I use grease for, from high-speed wheel bearings to lower-speed equipment bearings to pivot points on equipment and such.
I fixed our scout trailer. It was doing the exact same thing.
I bought 16 new caps for less than what I spent at TSC for the one cap on the pop up camper. I also sprung for a cap installation tool …. Game changer - highly recommend.
Normally I would say that if you need a dust cap installation tool you should stay away from the trailer. But I've been around some Scout Dads that couldn't make fire with a blowtorch.
Well, for what it’s worth …. I’ve done many caps without it and I will never do another one without.
Often times the new caps are slightly oversized and are very hard to get started. Then by the time you get it installed it looks an awful lot like the cap you just took off - all dented and misshaped. This thing put the cap on straight and was slicker than snot on a snail.
much like having a race tool for your bearings. You can absolutely install them without the tool, but once you have the tool … again, I’ll never install a set of races without it.
Also as an Eagle Scout myself, I know my way around a thing or two camping, including how run two boy scouts together to start a fire.
Well, for what it’s worth …. I’ve done many caps without it and I will never do another one without.
Often times the new caps are slightly oversized and are very hard to get started. Then by the time you get it installed it looks an awful lot like the cap you just took off - all dented and misshaped. This thing put the cap on straight and was slicker than snot on a snail.
much like having a race tool for your bearings. You can absolutely install them without the tool, but once you have the tool … again, I’ll never install a set of races without it.
Also as an Eagle Scout myself, I know my way around a thing or two camping, including how run two boy scouts together to start a fire.
Oh man, you guys are brilliant! I ran with your idea and headed over to AutoZone to pickup an adapter but the muffler section. This adapter fit right on the lip of the dust cap and a couple of taps with my 3 lb. hammer and whatta you know, it seated properly. I had tried to use a piece of wood but it dented the cap and I stopped. Then I just happened upon this thread...Whoop! Whoop! You da Man!
Last couple of times seating caps I just used my Harbor Freight bearing and race driver set. The ez-lube style caps are actually easiest to seat without any dents, you just need something to fully cover the face of the cap. I don't see myself buying a dedicated cap installer, but I'm sure it is quite a handy tool to use.
Well, for what it’s worth …. I’ve done many caps without it and I will never do another one without.
Often times the new caps are slightly oversized and are very hard to get started. Then by the time you get it installed it looks an awful lot like the cap you just took off - all dented and misshaped. This thing put the cap on straight and was slicker than snot on a snail.
much like having a race tool for your bearings. You can absolutely install them without the tool, but once you have the tool … again, I’ll never install a set of races without it.
Also as an Eagle Scout myself, I know my way around a thing or two camping, including how run two boy scouts together to start a fire.
Great idea!
I just use a big socket, but most folks have no need for sockets that big other than this, so here's a great alternative!
