Wheel Bearings

[gmg]

We recently experienced a broken right side spring shackle. We actually drove about 500 miles on it before we discovered the problem. The trailer was sagging on the right side. The spring shackles were resting against the trailer frame. My question is do you think that would have caused any damage to the wheel bearings. The service guy that is repairing the suspension is recommending repacking the bearings due to our towing the trailer in that condition. What are your opinions. Thanks.

[fj12ryder]

jfkmk wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

ghooos wrote:
can,t hurt and should not be a big expense. p.s a new seal also and no china bearings put back in.

Well, that may be true, but I have read of people that had immediate issues after having their bearings replaced/repacked.

My thought on things that can be mal-adjusted when installed is usually: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Replacing or cleaning/repacking and installing wheel bearings is probably one of the easiest things that can be done (mechanically). Whoever can’t handle this job has no business owning a wrench.

I'm not arguing your point, but that doesn't make my observation any less true.

[jfkmk]

fj12ryder wrote:

ghooos wrote:
can,t hurt and should not be a big expense. p.s a new seal also and no china bearings put back in.

Well, that may be true, but I have read of people that had immediate issues after having their bearings replaced/repacked.

My thought on things that can be mal-adjusted when installed is usually: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Replacing or cleaning/repacking and installing wheel bearings is probably one of the easiest things that can be done (mechanically). Whoever can’t handle this job has no business owning a wrench.

[Campinghoss]

fj12ryder wrote:
Actually many vehicles use a very similar system, the front wheel bearings on my truck are Timken-style bearings just like my trailers. I think the main problem with many trailers is poor assembly practices of the wheel bearings, and poor quality parts.

Many people propose pulling trailer wheel bearings every year, which I consider silly. I never do it with my vehicles and am not going to do it with the trailer. Of course the main thing is making sure the wheel bearings are set correctly and have sufficient grease when new. Sadly this is not necessarily something you can rely on with a new trailer.

I agree with the above. I had a Sunnybrook fiver for 14 years and never changed the bearings. I did check for play each year but that was it. What folks don't realize is how do campers get to the dealers? They are pulled. If a trailer can make it from the mfg to wherever the bearings are in good shape. Now I know there are exceptions but that is just what it is----exceptions.

[Cummins12V98]

My Timken’s have an automotive application. Brake pads are 85 Buick Century.

[laknox]

All I can say is that I checked my old Komfort's bearings for heat at every stop and jacked each wheel up yearly to check for play in the bearings. I'd also grease the EZLubes at the same time, spinning the wheel and stopping when I heard popping sounds, just like we did on everything we greased on the farm. When I had the wheels pulled after 10 low-mileage years, there was still no play, the bearings were in excellent shape and I =could= have reused them, but chose to replace them and the seals. Had the brakes adjusted at the same time. Ran for another 3 years doing the same thing, then I sold it. Never had a seal issue, never had grease on the brakes. NOT a fan of the NEVRLubes...

Lyle

[fj12ryder]

Actually many vehicles use a very similar system, the front wheel bearings on my truck are Timken-style bearings just like my trailers. I think the main problem with many trailers is poor assembly practices of the wheel bearings, and poor quality parts.

Many people propose pulling trailer wheel bearings every year, which I consider silly. I never do it with my vehicles and am not going to do it with the trailer. Of course the main thing is making sure the wheel bearings are set correctly and have sufficient grease when new. Sadly this is not necessarily something you can rely on with a new trailer.

[Curly2001]

I know this has been asked or said before but I am old and can't remember .....why can't they use regular automotive style wheel bearings like in our cars and trucks? I had a truck that had 165,000 miles on it and never had to replace/pack either front or rear bearings. Here goes the can of worms.....
Thanks,
Curly

[fj12ryder]

ghooos wrote:
can,t hurt and should not be a big expense. p.s a new seal also and no china bearings put back in.

Well, that may be true, but I have read of people that had immediate issues after having their bearings replaced/repacked.

My thought on things that can be mal-adjusted when installed is usually: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[Cummins12V98]

ghooos wrote:
can,t hurt and should not be a big expense. p.s a new seal also and no china bearings put back in.

National or SKF USMade seals.

[ghooos]

can,t hurt and should not be a big expense. p.s a new seal also and no china bearings put back in.

[Dave_H_M]

AirSupport wrote:
Replace the wheel bearing. Why not, they're super cheap! Replace all of them at the same time. Just my recommendation. Again, the bearings themselves are an inexpensive cost to your expensive 5er

I never replace a good wheel bearing for the hey of it.

I would be throwing a good proven bearing in the scrap and putting in one that has not been proven. No way. :h

[Cummins12V98]

The top "D" surface seats into hub like normal. The lower "D" grips the spindle, so there is no spindle wear.

You could use this on a grease system also. The National Seals are US Made.

[TxGearhead]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
It looks very similar to a regular seal. Best to look up the seal number on National’s site to see what they show.

Maybe someone with better computer skills could post something.

Probably Inpro bearing isolators.
Inpro-seal.com

[AirSupport]

Replace the wheel bearing. Why not, they're super cheap! Replace all of them at the same time. Just my recommendation. Again, the bearings themselves are an inexpensive cost to your expensive 5er