Tell me about repacking bearings, please

[prncssgeek]

I've been reading, studying and researching various pup related repairs and maintenance so that I never have to do this again. And I need something to do while the weather refills the lake and now the garage is clean.

So my question is, I've read many times that bearings need to be repacked annually. I'm almost certain it hasn't been done on my pup in a good 4 or 5 years if ever. Would someone be so kind as to advise me on what this is and how one goes about doing it? I can find lots of stuff telling me to do it, but no general ideas on doing it. Is there a link somewhere I'm missing?

And I want to say "Thanks" for all the help and support, you guys keep me sane when its raining!

[dkutz]

try this...

http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=57020&highlight=repack+wheel+bearings

I did a search for repack wheel bearings, and got lots of hits.

I did mine for the first time last year and only had problems locating the bearing seals.  Once I broke down and went to an RV dealer I had no troubles.

Good Luck.

[prncssgeek]

try this...

http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=57020&highlight=repack+wheel+bearings

I did a search for repack wheel bearings, and got lots of hits.

I did mine for the first time last year and only had problems locating the bearing seals.  Once I broke down and went to an RV dealer I had no troubles.

Good Luck.

Cool thanks! I must not have searched correctly because I found one thread and it wasn't the one you found. Or maybe it was the lack of coffee?

[austinado16]

Lori with the work that you and Brian do that camper, I've no doubt you can repack your bearings.....unless you can get it done at price that makes it not worth your while.

You'll need a few basic tools:
1) a box of blue nitrile gloves from NAPA or similar autoparts store.  You don't want old or new wheel bearing grease ground into your hands and under your nails!
2) a pair of wire cutters/side cutters for pulling the cotter pin out of the end of the axle
3) a crescent wrench for loosening and tightening the axle nut.  This nut is not very tight to begin with, so don't tighten it much at all when you go back together
4) a big wide tipped screwdriver for popping out the grease seal that's on the backside of the brake drum.  You'll use it as a prybar to pop the seal out.
5) a box of those nice blue mechanics paper towels
6) a hammer and block of wood or similar for pounding the new grease seal back into position without damaging it.

That's it. Buy some nice grease.  Synthetic if you can find it.  Sometimes the better greases come in the long tubes that you'd put into a grease gun.  Take advantage!  Pop the plastic endcap off, slice the tube open and scoop out the grease as needed.  SWEPCO is really good, as are other "performance" type greases used in the automotive industry.

When you put the axle nut back on, tighten it finger tight, rotate the brake drum and see how it feels.  A tiny bit of rocking play is okay.  Snug up the nut with your fingers or maybe a slight bit with the crescent wrench....but not much at all or the bearings will be too tight and be destroyed quickly out on the road.

Have fun!

[prncssgeek]

The ever important tool list! Thank you. I'm sure I can do it, can't be any harder than rebuilding the roof right? But thanks for the vote of confidence!

 When I read the post to Brian, I didn't get past the first sentence and he was saying "Wait, who" so I read it again, and he started laughing saying "I haven't done anything" Then I reminded him that he did do something, he took pictures and helped lift off the roof. In our house that is called "carrying the watermelon" (thank you Dirty Dancing).

I'll probably wait until everything else is done before I repack the bearings. I also need to figure out the condition of the tires and probably replace them.

[James]

Would a auto parts store such as auto zone or napa have new seals or do I have to go to a dealership.

[wavery]

Would a auto parts store such as auto zone or napa have new seals or do I have to go to a dealership.

Look for a bearing warehouse in your area. The seal has a # on it. Give them the # and chances are, they'll have the seals and/or bearings.

Be sure to install new cotter pins ($.50). NEVER re-use cotter pins on wheel bearings. You may get away with it but if you don't the results could be catastrophic. If the vibration causes the cotter pin to fail, the wheel will come off and probably on the freeway.

[flyfisherman]

Would a auto parts store such as auto zone or napa have new seals or do I have to go to a dealership.

On the back side of your PU's axle, there will be a metalic label giving the model, serial #, weight capacity and date of manufacture of that axle. Simply contact Dexter (via email on their site) and they will email you back the part number for the hub parts ... seals, bearings, ect. ~



Fly