How Often To Pack Bearings?

[pappy19]

I repacked my bearings last summer and used factory seals, which are a lot better than one's from any old auto store. So, I have taken our AS on about 10,000 miles of road since then. Do I need to repack for my up-coming 10,000 mile trip or not? Please advise, thanks.

Pap

[r carl]

First off I would say it depends on the grease you used. Some grease you can leave in for the life of the brakes, which could be around 30k miles.

[HowieE]

I am going to catch He++ for this one but how often do you pack the wheel bearings on the front of you car?

I think the more important consideration would be to repack them when ever you have the drums off to inspect the brake shoes and they are replaced.

[dwightdi]

Unless you have self adjusting brakes, You need to take the drums off to inspect for brake wear. As long as you have them off, look at the state of the grease. If it is good (with no thinning or discoloration), put them back together with a little additional grease. If it looks a little degraded, clean them and re grease. Most trailers do not travel often enough to require new grease on an annual basis.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by pappy19

I repacked my bearings last summer and used factory seals, which are a lot better than one's from any old auto store. So, I have taken our AS on about 10,000 miles of road since then. Do I need to repack for my up-coming 10,000 mile trip or not? Please advise, thanks.

Pap

Once a year or every 10,000 miles, which ever is first.

Use top grades of grease as well as seals that have a double lip and a spring in them.

Andy

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by HowieE

I am going to catch He++ for this one but how often do you pack the wheel bearings on the front of you car?

I think the more important consideration would be to repack them when ever you have the drums off to inspect the brake shoes and they are replaced.

I agree. Use a good grade of grease, I prefer synthetic, look at them when you have to pull a drum to check brakes or magnets.

The only reason this gets so much emphasis is because it is one of the few things the average do it yourself type can do

[pappy19]

I replaced 2 brakes (fronts) last year and then repacked the bearings, new AS seals and synthetic grease. I think I will be ok for this spring trip. I didn't go through any water or much rain.

[AtomicNo13]

I have disc brakes so I don't have to open things up the same ad drum brakes. I use Mobil 1 synthetic grease and a triple lip seal.
On my classic I have 60k miles and just took a look... everything full and clean. My PanAmerica has maybe 25k.
I'd say go with a synthetic grease and good seals and you are good to go for way over 10k miles.
Also keep those bearings tight nut not too tight. There should be very little runout. The slightest little click is correct. Tighter than that you can literally wipe the grease off the rollers.