I bought a trailer manufactured in 1994 from its original owner in 2005. I took it to a local place to have the bearings packed, then the next year, on advice of a friend, to a different place in the same area.
I just took it to a trailer dealer to have a ramp repaired and he told me I was one lucky trailer hauler because the bearings on that trailer had never been packed at all!!! Even though I have receipts that say they have been (at the tune of 135 and 145 bucks).
Posted 2007-04-24 7:27 PM (#59886 - in reply to #59884) Subject: RE: Packing Wheel Bearings--maybe!!
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Did the dealer tell you why they think it hasn't been done? If they don't have a good explanation, they may just be trying to get you to have them do it. If they do have a good reason for saying it, go back to where you had it done and tell them.
I doubt that two different shops would not do the job.
Posted 2007-04-24 7:37 PM (#59888 - in reply to #59884) Subject: RE: Packing Wheel Bearings--maybe!!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
Actually, I had the trailer dealer do the wheel bearings for this year while he was re-doing the ramp. So that was why he called me and told me that he was glad I had him pack them.
I thought that strange, too. But I trust this guy because he is very honest or has been for the past 15 years I have dealt with him. I only had the bearings packed at the local places because his shop is farther away.. and for convenience, I used the local ones. They are not trailer dealers, they are automotive but they service trailers.
Posted 2007-04-24 7:54 PM (#59892 - in reply to #59884) Subject: RE: Packing Wheel Bearings--maybe!!
Expert
Posts: 2689
For ~$140 I doubt that they have been pulling the drums, actually taking the bearings OUT, re-packing them and re-installing - - POSSIBLE, but unlikely.
I think E-Z lube axle spindles have been around since the mid/late 80s, my guess is that your trailer has them and the "re-pack" has consisted of a few squirts of the grease gun.
I think the only way to say definitively that they havn't been re-packed for a long time would be to take them out and find hard caked dried out grease in there - which CAN still work, surprisingly.
For a ~$10 gun at WalMart, why NOT DIY ?
At least you'll KNOW that it has been done - and ahve a few bux left over.
Posted 2007-04-24 8:03 PM (#59894 - in reply to #59884) Subject: RE: Packing Wheel Bearings--maybe!!
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
I'll second Reg's post, with the added thought that the "repack" may have been regreasing the front bearing of each wheel. I also doubt that $35 per wheel would be enough to cover labor and a new rear seal.
Posted 2007-04-25 6:32 AM (#59918 - in reply to #59916) Subject: RE: Packing Wheel Bearings--maybe!!
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Painted Horse on 2007-04-25 6:09 AM
Just remember that it just takes a couple of squirts in each zerk fitting.
If you pump too much in the seal may not hold it and you can have grease all through your brake drum.
I believe something different.
I don't think we can get enough grease out of a hand held gun fast enough to blow out a rear seal. Sure, they can make pressure, but it doesn't build up since the grease flows through the bearing. What I think people observe is a seal that is already shot letting grease out the back before they see it coming out the front.
I'll repeat it again;
If one wheel takes significantly more strokes of the grease gun (than the other 3) before you see grease coming out the front, then your seal is already blown. THAT is the time to pull the drum and fix it, NOT after you've driven it and got the grease onto the brake lining.
I regard this as the biggest benefit of doing it myself. I can count to small numbers and implicate a bad seal before it also becomes an unnecessary brake job.
Posted 2007-04-25 9:25 AM (#59922 - in reply to #59884) Subject: RE: Packing Wheel Bearings--maybe!!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
Oh boy, I just couldn't pass this one up. As to packing bearings, unless they replaced the existing bearings and races with new ones, $135 is highway robbery. We pack bearings for $15.00 per wheel, plus the new seal at $3.00 to $6.00 per seal. This involves removing the hub, removing and cleaning the bearings, and cleaning the races. Assuming there is no damage to bearings or races, the bearings are hand packed and the hub re installed. We do replace bearings and races when they are bad, but this occurs less than 25% of the time, and we do charge for driving out and pressing in the races if they are replaced..
An added benefit to removing the hub is that the brake assemblies are exposed and obvious problems identified.
The E Z Lube axles and Bearing Buddies are great when used correctly, but we still advise our customers to have the wheels packed at least once a year. We do regularly get trailers in because the brakes don't seem to be working, and then find that the brake assemblies are packed full of grease - and I mean packed full. It takes lots of time to clean these assemblies, and then the shoes are usually softened and falling apart and have to be replaced. That is a lot more expensive than packing your wheels once a year, and forgetting about the EZ Lube or the bearing buddies. It is job security for us, so I guess I shouldn't complain.
Maybe we need to raise our flat rate for packing wheels?
Posted 2007-04-25 8:48 PM (#59972 - in reply to #59884) Subject: RE: Packing Wheel Bearings--maybe!!
Veteran
Posts: 193 Location: White Pine, TN
I'm with Kay, we need to examine our charges. We only charge $60 to do the same as Kay. Parts if needed are added to that. We examine the brakes too for any signs of impending trouble. I'd love it if we could get $135 for doing that.
Packing Wheel Bearings--maybe!!
.jpg)
