Rather than attempting to wipe the grease and debris out of the hub I prefer to flush them clean with a solvent based parts cleaner. I also completely flush the bearings clean to remove all debris before packing. If reusing the brake assembly I wash it down with brake cleaner. I was trained by an automotive mechanic and an automotive machine shop so I have a firm belief that parts should be clean before lubricated. I adapted a full size shop parts cleaner to a mobile setup for my trailer for this reason.
Good video, shows all the parts, process, and the why's, not just the how's. I would however suggest a 'no special tools' survivalist version like I was taught when I when I was a young poor teen in the 60s with just a claw hammer, screw driver, pliers, and a grease gun that may be the only tools available. Using the hammer and screwdriver to tap out the inner race and seal from the outside and vice versa from the inside, greasing in the palm of your hand, and tapping the race and seals lightly back in. With bonus points if its on the side of the road with old rusty dusty neglected drum and bearings that need to be reused. Nowadays I pay for expert annual inspections of the bearings, brakes and wires, because I can afford it and hate the mess. But many rv'rs find themselves in a predicament in the middle of nowhere with what they have on hand. And this may get you out of the woods.
Awesome video Nick. I am always hesitant to do a maintenance thing like this but watching your video has given me some confidence to tackle this myself!
Well done video. I haven't done this in over 40 years (my father was a mechanic I would help him repack the bearings on our cars back in the day). I'll be doing this over the winter on my camper, so a great refresher on how to do it. Thanks!
Thanks Nick. Great video. I just took Lippert RV owner school training last month and one class was on this and we actually did a repack. This will be a nice refresher video for when I tackle my first repack job next spring on my Fifth wheel. You were spot on with this. Aprreciate your video.
Nick ! This is the best detailed tutorial on repacking bearings on You Tube great job! Watching your video I know I can do it myself now. Keep up the great work !!
Awesome thanks so much! I've seen videos of guys having to service hubs and repack while on trips, this gives the canonical 'how to' and what to have on hand, I like to be prepared.
Great how to video. Thank you. I'd like to see a video on how to really examine the roof for problem areas and possible leaks as well as how and when to reseal the roof
Great video exactly what I have been waiting for. Could you do a detailed video similar to this for the brakes on what to look for and how to adjust fix or replace. Thanks
Awesome video Nick, thank you! Makes a lot of sense - we can save money doing it ourselves, and maybe it'll free you up a bit to tackle the tougher jobs people might need done quickly. Your step by step process is perfect, simple, to the point. Now I feel like I could do this myself no problem. Thx again!
What a great video! I took away a few things from it. I was shocked to see that there is VERY LITTLE grease between the outer and inner bearing. That bearing driver is a great tool. I have one. Also as far as the unopened wheel bearing packer goes, my protip is to put it in a vise to squeeze it gently if needed. I usually use the CPR position on the floor to do them. Shouldn't one flush the "quick lube" fitting orifice before reinstalling the bearings? There might be blue grease or worse yet, dirty grease. Slip joint pliers can remove the grease cap by rocking gently too. Again! Thanks you for a great video from Nick's continuing RV education :-) Happy that the lucas grease is approved by Dexter. Rock on!
Amazing video, thank you so much for making this video. I pack my own bearings on my trailers but I learn some new things from this video. I’m saving this video in my favorites.
Thanks for the info. I would repack myself but I don't have the facility to do all four of them. I have the local shop repack and inspect the brakes each spring.
Hi Nick, Thank you for another great video. I have not checked your other content, but was wondering if you have or plan to have a video covering "race" replacement.
Thanks for the great content, as always. And good timing too. I was already planning on repacking my bearings this weekend before our big trip. Now I don't hafto try to figure it out as I go. Quick Q, where do you recomend placing the jack , on the axle or frame? I've heard conflicting reports. 2006 forest river wildcat.
Where are the links? I am looking for the Seal Driver Ideally a single one for a 7k axle Double Lip Grease Seal (Hub bore diameter: 3.371" Spindle diameter: 2-1/4")
Aren't you supposed to back off the castle nut a bit after the "torque down" then "finger tight"? Back it off like 1/4 turn, or at least 1 "flat" on the 6 sided nut? Timken videos state end play required (not "0") and I don't personally use a dial indicator (they say .001 to .005 inch of end play). If I rock the hub, especially with a wheel in the air, there should be some SLIGHT movement. Often you can drive around the block and after pushing thick grease out check if it has that little bit of slack, not much. Also I don't think there is one right position on the castle nut to fit the cotter pin. The hole in the spindle is where it is, and as the bearing wears that castle nut may end up in a slightly different place on next years bearing grease re-pack, and that's normal.
Using a bearing packer to “push the old grease out and new grease in” defeats the purpose of doing bearing maintenance in the first place. If I go to the trouble to pull my hubs, I’m going to clean the bearings, hubs, and races so I can inspect them. Packing bearings without cleaning and inspection just doesn’t make sense…..but I really don’t think you meant it that way…😊
After working at 3 dealerships, I can tell you that if you pay for a repack, you get a repack. I might look to see if I can recommend a brake service, but I don’t have time to clean and inspect. I get paid by the job, and I’m trying to get it done quickly. Nobody inspects bearings unless there is a complaint about grinding or noise from the hub.
Rather than attempting to wipe the grease and debris out of the hub I prefer to flush them clean with a solvent based parts cleaner. I also completely flush the bearings clean to remove all debris before packing. If reusing the brake assembly I wash it down with brake cleaner. I was trained by an automotive mechanic and an automotive machine shop so I have a firm belief that parts should be clean before lubricated. I adapted a full size shop parts cleaner to a mobile setup for my trailer for this reason.
Thanks Nick. I do all my own wheel bearing service but after watching your video I see I’m over greasing my wheel bearings. Thanks again.
Outstanding video. I’ve watched many of these videos and you took it to a 4th grade level like the military so we all understand. Thank you brother
Good video, shows all the parts, process, and the why's, not just the how's. I would however suggest a 'no special tools' survivalist version like I was taught when I when I was a young poor teen in the 60s with just a claw hammer, screw driver, pliers, and a grease gun that may be the only tools available. Using the hammer and screwdriver to tap out the inner race and seal from the outside and vice versa from the inside, greasing in the palm of your hand, and tapping the race and seals lightly back in. With bonus points if its on the side of the road with old rusty dusty neglected drum and bearings that need to be reused. Nowadays I pay for expert annual inspections of the bearings, brakes and wires, because I can afford it and hate the mess. But many rv'rs find themselves in a predicament in the middle of nowhere with what they have on hand. And this may get you out of the woods.
Awesome video Nick. I am always hesitant to do a maintenance thing like this but watching your video has given me some confidence to tackle this myself!
Well done video. I haven't done this in over 40 years (my father was a mechanic I would help him repack the bearings on our cars back in the day). I'll be doing this over the winter on my camper, so a great refresher on how to do it. Thanks!
Thanks for the great video! Can you include the links for the tools. Thanks!
Thanks Nick. Great video. I just took Lippert RV owner school training last month and one class was on this and we actually did a repack. This will be a nice refresher video for when I tackle my first repack job next spring on my Fifth wheel. You were spot on with this. Aprreciate your video.
Nick ! This is the best detailed tutorial on repacking bearings on You Tube great job! Watching your video I know I can do it myself now. Keep up the great work !!
Awesome thanks so much! I've seen videos of guys having to service hubs and repack while on trips, this gives the canonical 'how to' and what to have on hand, I like to be prepared.
Great how to video. Thank you. I'd like to see a video on how to really examine the roof for problem areas and possible leaks as well as how and when to reseal the roof
Great video. hope you do one on replacing brakes.
Great video exactly what I have been waiting for. Could you do a detailed video similar to this for the brakes on what to look for and how to adjust fix or replace.
Thanks
Awesome video Nick, thank you! Makes a lot of sense - we can save money doing it ourselves, and maybe it'll free you up a bit to tackle the tougher jobs people might need done quickly. Your step by step process is perfect, simple, to the point. Now I feel like I could do this myself no problem. Thx again!
If you want this done right do it yourself! Some of these dealers will botch this up royally. Thanks man. Great work.
Excellent video my friend! Keep up the great videos for rv owners to learn to maintain their own units.
Thanks for the detailed video. Saves me lots of money on maintenance fees.
I love to do things myself if I can. Thank you so much. I will definitely be doing this myself.
Thanks Nick. Great video. I have been thinking about repacking or replacing mine recently. You just helped me make the decision.
What a great video! I took away a few things from it. I was shocked to see that there is VERY LITTLE grease between the outer and inner bearing. That bearing driver is a great tool. I have one. Also as far as the unopened wheel bearing packer goes, my protip is to put it in a vise to squeeze it gently if needed. I usually use the CPR position on the floor to do them. Shouldn't one flush the "quick lube" fitting orifice before reinstalling the bearings? There might be blue grease or worse yet, dirty grease. Slip joint pliers can remove the grease cap by rocking gently too. Again! Thanks you for a great video from Nick's continuing RV education :-) Happy that the lucas grease is approved by Dexter. Rock on!
Amazing video, thank you so much for making this video. I pack my own bearings on my trailers but I learn some new things from this video. I’m saving this video in my favorites.
Thank you,very well explained.
Thank you, great video and explanation?!
Great video, thanks! Can you post the tool links, or is there somewhere else I should be looking for this?
Thanks for the info. I would repack myself but I don't have the facility to do all four of them. I have the local shop repack and inspect the brakes each spring.
Much better! Had to poke fun at your “speed round” version.
Excellent job Nick!
Excellent tutorial!!
Can you do a video on how to change the brake pads and / or adjust the shoes if they don’t need to be replaced. Thanks for the great video!
+1 on this. Just did a bearing repack and pads looked a little thin.
Very concise procedure. Many thanks for sharing.
Saving us money so we can afford you for the hard stuff. Nice!
Great video, thank you. Enjoyed it. Everything explained so well.
Awesome .Parts were inspected after cleaning.
Awesome video, thank you Nick.
awesome, YES after watching this Video, Thank you Sir. for the detailed
Thanks for the information 👍
Hi Nick, Thank you for another great video. I have not checked your other content, but was wondering if you have or plan to have a video covering "race" replacement.
Thanks for the great content, as always. And good timing too. I was already planning on repacking my bearings this weekend before our big trip. Now I don't hafto try to figure it out as I go. Quick Q, where do you recomend placing the jack , on the axle or frame? I've heard conflicting reports. 2006 forest river wildcat.
That was great. Thanks Don
Nick, great job! I noticed some crease on the outside of metal wheel. What's up with this? Maybe leaking out from cap?
Where are the links? I am looking for the Seal Driver Ideally a single one for a 7k axle Double Lip Grease Seal (Hub bore diameter: 3.371" Spindle diameter: 2-1/4")
On a Karavan double WaveRunner trailer do I preload to 50 lbs? Loosen then 10 lbs. I’m using Timken bearings. Thanks
Awesome video. Thanksn
Thoughts on the Lucas green X-Tra Heavy Duty grease?
Do you recommend having an extra bearing on hand at all times just incase ?
Mine has the same bearings inner and outer.
Are Timken bearings with the extra money?
Aren't you supposed to back off the castle nut a bit after the "torque down" then "finger tight"? Back it off like 1/4 turn, or at least 1 "flat" on the 6 sided nut? Timken videos state end play required (not "0") and I don't personally use a dial indicator (they say .001 to .005 inch of end play). If I rock the hub, especially with a wheel in the air, there should be some SLIGHT movement. Often you can drive around the block and after pushing thick grease out check if it has that little bit of slack, not much.
Also I don't think there is one right position on the castle nut to fit the cotter pin. The hole in the spindle is where it is, and as the bearing wears that castle nut may end up in a slightly different place on next years bearing grease re-pack, and that's normal.
A kitchen vacuum sealer food packer workers the best for packing bearing, heads up your wife will be pissed!😂
70 yrs old started mech work at 12 18 -68 Ship Engineer Doctor found spot on my kidney 40-60 % chance of cancer . Wear your gloves .
Using a bearing packer to “push the old grease out and new grease in” defeats the purpose of doing bearing maintenance in the first place. If I go to the trouble to pull my hubs, I’m going to clean the bearings, hubs, and races so I can inspect them. Packing bearings without cleaning and inspection just doesn’t make sense…..but I really don’t think you meant it that way…😊
After working at 3 dealerships, I can tell you that if you pay for a repack, you get a repack. I might look to see if I can recommend a brake service, but I don’t have time to clean and inspect. I get paid by the job, and I’m trying to get it done quickly. Nobody inspects bearings unless there is a complaint about grinding or noise from the hub.