Thanks. I have been doing bearings for years and glad to know I was doing it right. I do like your way of tightening the nut. I was always taught to tighten all the way and then back it out but like your way better. Next time do a video on how to tell if the bearing is bad. Sometimes it is hard to tell.
My shop teacher years ago taught us how to pack bearings with our hands. Old school way has served me well, young guys think im a nut. It works! Great video thanks.
I love when new things come along to make things a bit easier. Sometimes new stuff just adds more problems. It’s good to know the old school ways in case new fancy gadgets fail! Thanks for watching!
Sometimes old school is the best school. Have been cleaning, inspecting and repacking wheel bearings this way more than 50 years, that's why it's called preventative maintenance. Allows you to catch a potential problem before it becomes a problem. Being a parts changer is EXPENSIVE, and not cleaning and inspecting will never alert you of a developing issue. Bearings will last thousands of miles with proper preventative maintenance. Thanks for the detailed procedure video.
Great video, clear, to the point, and you show the "old" way of doing things as well, for those of us that dont have bearing packers etc. Thanks for sharing!
i had to repackage a trailer bearing out in the outback once and it was over 110 deg so i waited till the sun went down and started . I got half way through and dropped the bearing into the sand which was a reddish colour . i picked the bearing up removed some of the grease repackaged it put it on and continued the journey never touching the bearing again .
Finally someone who doesn't tighten, then back it off finger loose and leave it.... FAR TOO MANY people put bearings together with end play, instead of slight preload....and then their bearings come apart because they are too loose... Timken prefers slight preload.... I have taken bearings apart that were like two turns loose! (after the grease baked out of them)
Question; on a Jayco 263 RBS, in one year we’ve only camped 3 times, about 1,000 miles total driving. I drive about 55 mph tops. It’s a tandem axle, so while I want to keep them maintained, I hate to tear it all apart if it is too premature. I was not aware they made water based parts washer so learned something today. I guess if the bearings are ok, it’s just the cost of 4 new seals, and labor, once per year? Thanks. I also learned not to spin dry, thank you. Finally, finishing it off with the cleaner/spray. I plan to get the little packing device, WAY LESS MESSY it would appear?
I have a question, I have play when I push on my trailer wheel. I have checked the bearings and repacked them and they look good. Do you have any suggestions on what could be causing the play? Thanks.
What is your opinion regarding Vault hubs and their suitability for boat trailers? Does it make sense to replace Vault hubs with new Vault hubs, or is using traditional hubs, bearings, and races the best path forward?
Question: any issues cleaning all parts as you recommended, then reassemble dry, then use an EZ-Lube zerk fitting to pack with fresh greese once assembled?
We just published one a couple of weeks ago. I’ll leave a link. Hopefully it will help! How To Replace Broken Leaf Spring On Your Trailer ua-cam.com/video/7NcPkXaz2Tg/v-deo.html
For recreational use, annual inspections are generally sufficient. On the bearings-repack annually or every 12,000 miles. Great questions! Thanks for watching!
If the spindle has a grease fitting, I like to clean off the spindle then pump grease into the fitting to purge out the old grease in the channel. I'll just catch that in a towel and pump until I see new grease coming out. I wipe that off then continue putting new grease on the spindle and reinstalling the hub or drum. Also, if there's a fitting, I don't like to put a large amount of grease on the spindle where brakes are involved. It's too easy to push a big blob of grease as you're installing the drum, leaving a mess in the brake cavity that you can't clean off. I prefer to pump new grease in after the hub is on.
I'm doing brakes and repacking the bearings, the rear raceway rotates in the drum. Is this a problem? Should I replace the bearings or is a new drum called for. Just bought the camper, I don't think the brakes were ever adjusted.
Yes it’s a problem. The hub/drum would need to be replaced. Here’s a video that might help you on that. Thanks for watching! Is It Time for New Brake Drums? ua-cam.com/video/e6pWJ5V4U04/v-deo.html
Being in the trailer service and repair industry, I get it! I hope you are finding the videos helpful and valuable! Thank you for taking the time to watch!
For those that don’t know, spin drying a non-lubricated bearing will cause damage and possible bearing cages explosion due to the hyper speed. Not a good idea at all.
Thanks. I have been doing bearings for years and glad to know I was doing it right. I do like your way of tightening the nut. I was always taught to tighten all the way and then back it out but like your way better. Next time do a video on how to tell if the bearing is bad. Sometimes it is hard to tell.
So glad you liked the video! Thanks for the video idea!
I always just used gasoline for cleaning the bearings, but it was much cheaper 50 years ago. Thanks for the Videos.
Very helpful & useful video. Thanks for your no B.S. presentation style.
You’re welcome! I’m glad you found it helpful! Thank you for watching and for the feedback!
I always am in a quandary how tight to tighten the spindle nut.
Thanks from a 78 yr old DIY guy.
Simple straightforward advice. I like it!
Thank you! So glad you liked the video!
Thanks for sharing your experience
The simplest and best narrated video on this subject period!. Thank you Mr TrailerSmith!
My shop teacher years ago taught us how to pack bearings with our hands. Old school way has served me well, young guys think im a nut. It works! Great video thanks.
I love when new things come along to make things a bit easier. Sometimes new stuff just adds more problems. It’s good to know the old school ways in case new fancy gadgets fail!
Thanks for watching!
Sometimes old school is the best school. Have been cleaning, inspecting and repacking wheel bearings this way more than 50 years, that's why it's called preventative maintenance. Allows you to catch a potential problem before it becomes a problem. Being a parts changer is EXPENSIVE, and not cleaning and inspecting will never alert you of a developing issue. Bearings will last thousands of miles with proper preventative maintenance. Thanks for the detailed procedure video.
What material type and brand cotter pin do you recommend for trailer spindles? Stainless steel for marine trailers? Thanks for the great video!
What is the most common cotter pin length for marine and utility trailers?
Excellent tutorial
Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!
Excellent instructions a lot of little things to know to prevent a roadside disaster
Great video, clear, to the point, and you show the "old" way of doing things as well, for those of us that dont have bearing packers etc. Thanks for sharing!
Glad to help! Thanks for watching!
Old timer used to use mixed saw gas and tossed it right back in the can. Gas was expensive. Like 79 cents
Great video!!! I was curious about you adding grease to the non friction area of the spindle. I haven’t heard of a reason for this before.
We just use that to aid in the assembly process and to give some extra grease.
Good stuff! 👍
Question? Can you use brake cleaner on the hub and bearings to clean and remove grease too? Thanks! 👌🇺🇸
Good question! Yes, you can. But I recommend using a water-based degreaser first, then use the brake cleaner for a final wipe down.
❤it what a 💰 saver.
Glad to hear it was a help for you! Thank you for watching!
i had to repackage a trailer bearing out in the outback once and it was over 110 deg so i waited till the sun went down and started . I got half way through and dropped the bearing into the sand which was a reddish colour . i picked the bearing up removed some of the grease repackaged it put it on and continued the journey never touching the bearing again .
Great video, Thank you for sharing.
Finally someone who doesn't tighten, then back it off finger loose and leave it.... FAR TOO MANY people put bearings together with end play, instead of slight preload....and then their bearings come apart because they are too loose... Timken prefers slight preload.... I have taken bearings apart that were like two turns loose! (after the grease baked out of them)
I use kerosene to clean bearings is this good are bad? Great video thanks
Question; on a Jayco 263 RBS, in one year we’ve only camped 3 times, about 1,000 miles total driving. I drive about 55 mph tops. It’s a tandem axle, so while I want to keep them maintained, I hate to tear it all apart if it is too premature. I was not aware they made water based parts washer so learned something today. I guess if the bearings are ok, it’s just the cost of 4 new seals, and labor, once per year? Thanks. I also learned not to spin dry, thank you. Finally, finishing it off with the cleaner/spray. I plan to get the little packing device, WAY LESS MESSY it would appear?
Perfect, Thank You!
I have Rv ez lube hub with electric brakes. Would it be a good idea to put gasket seal on the new inner seal before tapping it in place? Thanks!
I have a question, I have play when I push on my trailer wheel. I have checked the bearings and repacked them and they look good. Do you have any suggestions on what could be causing the play? Thanks.
If you were replacing bearings on your personal fifth wheel would you use Chinese or Timken or what?
What is your opinion regarding Vault hubs and their suitability for boat trailers? Does it make sense to replace Vault hubs with new Vault hubs, or is using traditional hubs, bearings, and races the best path forward?
Thanks for the video. After re assembly with easy hubs, should I refill the cavity with grease thru the zerk fitting?
I didn’t put any grease in the cavity so I’d be curious myself.
See his video on EzLube spindles.
Just watched myself when I was a enlisted in the Army working on my car in the base car garage except back then there was not nytril gloves used.
Question: any issues cleaning all parts as you recommended, then reassemble dry, then use an EZ-Lube zerk fitting to pack with fresh greese once assembled?
Do you have a video on changing leaf springs. Mine are 10 years old on my fifth wheel
We just published one a couple of weeks ago. I’ll leave a link. Hopefully it will help!
How To Replace Broken Leaf Spring On Your Trailer
ua-cam.com/video/7NcPkXaz2Tg/v-deo.html
@@TheTrailerSmith thank you
Question shackles-inspection and parts replacement, frequency?
On bearing repack, not bot trailer but RV’s, frequency?
For recreational use, annual inspections are generally sufficient. On the bearings-repack annually or every 12,000 miles.
Great questions! Thanks for watching!
Anybody have a suggestion for where to buy a bearing replacement kit ?
What wheel bearing grease do you recommend?
Was that RedTacky in this video?
Mystic High Temp is what we use. But Lucas products (Red Tacky) are great, too!
If the spindle has a grease fitting, I like to clean off the spindle then pump grease into the fitting to purge out the old grease in the channel. I'll just catch that in a towel and pump until I see new grease coming out. I wipe that off then continue putting new grease on the spindle and reinstalling the hub or drum.
Also, if there's a fitting, I don't like to put a large amount of grease on the spindle where brakes are involved. It's too easy to push a big blob of grease as you're installing the drum, leaving a mess in the brake cavity that you can't clean off. I prefer to pump new grease in after the hub is on.
Never use the EZ Lube method. The purpose of this whole video is to avoid using that method.
I'm doing brakes and repacking the bearings, the rear raceway rotates in the drum. Is this a problem? Should I replace the bearings or is a new drum called for. Just bought the camper, I don't think the brakes were ever adjusted.
Yes it’s a problem. The hub/drum would need to be replaced. Here’s a video that might help you on that. Thanks for watching!
Is It Time for New Brake Drums?
ua-cam.com/video/e6pWJ5V4U04/v-deo.html
What is the water base solvent you are using?
What grease are you using here?
Mention of 'real fine Emery cloth or Steel wool' on spindle....What Grit?
The trailer MFG’s should be paying you. There is almost no good, thorough videos on how to do this stuff out there.
Being in the trailer service and repair industry, I get it! I hope you are finding the videos helpful and valuable! Thank you for taking the time to watch!
why not spin dry bearings?
For those that don’t know, spin drying a non-lubricated bearing will cause damage and possible bearing cages explosion due to the hyper speed. Not a good idea at all.
Cheaper to use new bearings , an less solvent pollution !