Using a Bearing Packer

[Buttercup]

A while ago I promised that I would document using a bearing packer. Well that is done and can be seen HERE.

I will say that this is the best way to pack as far as I am concerned. It really does ensure the job is done right and makes fast work of it!

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

A while ago I promised that I would document using a bearing packer. Well that is done and can be seen HERE.

I will say that this is the best way to pack as far as I am concerned. It really does ensure the job is done right and makes fast work of it!

That is the best new way to do it, the packer I had was an old pump-action packer. It worked great, but you had to have a 5 gallon bucket of grease to go under it.
BTW, keep up the good work on the trailer, it is starting to look like something again.

[norbert]

wow, that is slicker then a greased pig at a mazola party.... what did it cost?
norby

[Silvertwinkie]

Just bought one of those packers a few months ago. Haven't used it yet, but now that I've seen it work, looks like a winner. Thanks for the post and pics.

[Buttercup]

This packer cost about $25.00 and the great thing is that it uses much less grease than I used the first time around despite the fact that I still gooped tons of extra grease in the wheel.

[Action]

Did you get the packer at a auto parts store?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Pick]

I got mine off the 'net. Forgot where, maybe a Google will turn one up.

[Pick]

Another picture of it in action, with Amsoil GL2 goodness seeping out.

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by Action

Did you get the packer at a auto parts store?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

Action,

I purchased mine at PepBoys.

Bill

[uncleneal]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

This packer cost about $25.00 and the great thing is that it uses much less grease than I used the first time around despite the fact that I still gooped tons of extra grease in the wheel.

Be cautious of too much grease in the hub. We had a member at the Top of Georgia who bought a used trailer that someone had filled the hubs full of grease when repacking the bearings. When he towed it, the hubs warmed up, as they all will do, the grease warmed up, expanded and forced its way out to the brake shoes, ruining them. He had to replace all 6 sets on a 34 footer.

Neal

[overlander63]

The forum seems to be acting up, and I couldn't post a photo, so here is the URL, it lists for under $20 at Northern Tool.com.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...77850&R=877850

[bdlwet]

why does one use $25 and waste losts of grease when you can easily do it by hand. Glob grease on hand - push bearing open end down into palm full of grease watch new grease come out small end and then repeat until done- wipe grease back on bucket lid, install bearings, put cap on-clean hands. Take 25.00 saved and go buy suds, or ice cream, or two cans of Met-All. Who knows what one can do with an extra $25,00 but I guess that is why people buy gallon tubs of grease and still have 3/4 gallon of grease 15 years later. Unless they work on lots of equipment and then they don't need fancy grease packer they have other methods

[Action]

I for one would make a $25 investment a small packer. $25 isn't a lot of money.

I have been packing bearing by hand for 30+ years. The packer looks to be faster and less messier than by hand. I'm not 16 anymore. I don't expect to not get any grease on my hands and if it's a little faster and cleaner then it's worth it for the small fleet that I have. (4 cars, van, travel trailer and boat trailer) Even though 2 of the cars have bearings sealed for life, both of the trailers have 2 axles. That's 7 axles or 14 sets of wheel bearings.

Gimme the packer.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[SafeHarbor]

Originally Posted by bdlwet

why does one use $25 and waste losts of grease when you can easily do it by hand. Glob grease on hand - push bearing open end down into palm full of grease watch new grease come out small end and then repeat until done- wipe grease back on bucket lid, install bearings, put cap on-clean hands. Take 25.00 saved and go buy suds, or ice cream, or two cans of Met-All. Who knows what one can do with an extra $25,00 but I guess that is why people buy gallon tubs of grease and still have 3/4 gallon of grease 15 years later. Unless they work on lots of equipment and then they don't need fancy grease packer they have other methods

Sure, one can do it by hand, but there's just something satisfying about dropping the bearing in the packer, putting the top on, and STEPPING on it to repack the bearing in about two or three seconds.

It's not even really necessary to wash the old grease first... but one should inspect bearings before reusing them.

Lamar

[greg176]

I prefer packing bearings by hand.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by greg176

I prefer packing bearings by hand.

Each to their own, I repack a LOT of bearings, and anything I can get to speed up the process is very welcome.