Repack Wheel Bearings in Cincinnati, OH

[jhohe]

Looking for a good company to repack the wheel bearings on my 2006 25' FB Safari. Don't want to cart it all the way to Jackson Center, but want a job I can trust. Thanks

[Action]

You could always do it your self. It isn't a difficult job just messy.

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

[azflycaster]

There is nothing magic about Airstream wheel bearings. I do mine and it is a messy job. Any competent RV shop can do the job.

[dirigible25]

You can take a little of the mess out of it and use a tool that I have purchased from Matco Matco Tools Online Tool Catalog just type wheel bearing packer in the search box. It is easy to use and does a good job of it.

[Mikethefixit]

Johohe
Check and see if TOM RAPER still has a place in Fairfield.I know they had a sales place but Im not sure about a service department. But any compenent rv shop can do it. I'm just not sure about the availablity of the seals at just any Rv shop.I think It would be worth your time to call Jackson Center and make an appointment. NOW would be a good time they are not to busy. Take it up there and wait for it. It dont take long and they surely with have on hand what ever it needs.

[Mexray]

I picked up one of these neat bearing grease packers this week at Harbor Freight:
Bearing Grease Packer - Save on this Bearing Grease Packer

It appears that the clear case is made out of polycarbonate to stand the abuse...you unscrew the top blue 't' handle part, pop in the bearing, reattach the 't' handle part and shoot some grease into the packer through the zerk fitting in the top of the 't' handle...

The design contains the grease away from contaminates when it's in storage...

[r carl]

This is the american made standard of the industry that I bought.
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

[LI Pets]

First it is simple, if you can change a tire you can pack your bearings.

No tools needed to pack!

put a small amount of grease into a zip lock bag, pop the bearing in.

Now work the grease into all the rollers, no mess.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

First it is simple, if you can change a tire you can pack your bearings.

No tools needed to pack!

put a small amount of grease into a zip lock bag, pop the bearing in.

Now work the grease into all the rollers, no mess.

Right Bob, but using a bearing packer stores grease for future bearing repacks and it will eliminate wasted grease which is good for me because I use tubes of gease that costs $12 a tube.

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

First it is simple, if you can change a tire you can pack your bearings.

No tools needed to pack!

put a small amount of grease into a zip lock bag, pop the bearing in.

Now work the grease into all the rollers, no mess.

I like that. When done, you can snip one corner of the baggie and squeeze the extra grease into the hub or back into the tub. No waste. Just like decorating a cake.

[Action]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I like that. When done, you can snip one corner of the baggie and squeeze the extra grease into the hub or back into the tub. No waste. Just like decorating a cake.

Now that is pretty cool!

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

[ROBERT CROSS]

Old school... palm of the hand...

New school...palm of the latex gloved hand...

Bob

[Mexray]

I'm retracting my recommended 'suggestion' in post #6 above - the: Bearing Grease Packer - Save on this Bearing Grease Packer

I tackled the packing of our wheel bearings yesterday - tried using the contraption above - it's a BIG piece of CRAP!!! It's now a candidate for landfill!

You unscrew the top, place the bearing inside, replace the top and begin pumping grease into the unit via the Zerk on top...then you pump some more...then you pump some more - almost a complete cartridge to fill that mother up...Then you unscrew the top and there the bearing is, in the middle of a 'tub' of grease...by the time you get the bearing out of that 'blob', you've got both hands covered in grease!

After that first 'experience', I quickly went back to packing the bearings with the 'palm' method, which I've done all my life - effective, quick, and no wasted grease! - Long live the 'Palm' method...

BTW, the bearing repacking was brought about by the failure of two of the Kodiac oil-bath seals that I had put on the new axles when I installed em'...What a mess - had to replace three pairs of brake shoes - the two that were covered in oir, and the third that was almost worn out due to doing most of the braking the others weren't providing!

What a mess, cleaning up the two brakes/hubs that were covered in rear-axle-like smelly oil - yeah the bearings were like new, well lubed, and everything else was also like new, 'preserved' in oil!

Live and learn...The basic old grease packed wheel bearing technologies are best left alone!

[ROBERT CROSS]

Ray,

Did you go old school palm or new?

Like Dad used to tell me....Keep it stupid, simple.

Bob

[r carl]

Originally Posted by Mexray

I'm retracting my recommended 'suggestion' in post #6 above - the: Bearing Grease Packer - Save on this Bearing Grease Packer

I tackled the packing of our wheel bearings yesterday - tried using the contraption above - it's a BIG piece of CRAP!!! It's now a candidate for landfill!

You unscrew the top, place the bearing inside, replace the top and begin pumping grease into the unit via the Zerk on top...then you pump some more...then you pump some more - almost a complete cartridge to fill that mother up...Then you unscrew the top and there the bearing is, in the middle of a 'tub' of grease...by the time you get the bearing out of that 'blob', you've got both hands covered in grease!

After that first 'experience', I quickly went back to packing the bearings with the 'palm' method, which I've done all my life - effective, quick, and no wasted grease! - Long live the 'Palm' method...

BTW, the bearing repacking was brought about by the failure of two of the Kodiac oil-bath seals that I had put on the new axles when I installed em'...What a mess - had to replace three pairs of brake shoes - the two that were covered in oir, and the third that was almost worn out due to doing most of the braking the others weren't providing!

What a mess, cleaning up the two brakes/hubs that were covered in rear-axle-like smelly oil - yeah the bearings were like new, well lubed, and everything else was also like new, 'preserved' in oil!

Live and learn...The basic old grease packed wheel bearing technologies are best left alone!

Thats what happends when you buy a china copy of this.
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

[ROBERT CROSS]

"Thats what happends when you buy a china copy of this."

No tanks....KISS

Bob

[JimGolden]

I do it the OLD SCHOOL way. Get six new seals at NAPA before the job, then do it. It sux, but it works. I guess I could use the latex....but the old school way works fine.

Lotsa luck!

[noreen&sal]

I figured out how to do it without getting all greasy. I get either o ne of my sons to do it. Sal.

[Wingeezer]

I always do a repack just by packing the grease into the races by hand - no big deal.

I think that putting a whole cartridge full of grease into one hub as someone mentioned could be inviting problems. No need for that much grease.

I don't speak from experience in that regard but I have heard that too much grease can cause the grease to overheat, fluidize (if that is a word) and runout past the grease seals.

Possible for someone doing this for the first time, the biggest challenge might be getting the new grease seals back in place properly.

Most sources recommend installing new seals each time and I generally do that. Getting them in properly is just a matter of gently tapping them in squarely with a hammer and a suitable block of wood - all pretty easy.

Once re-assembled tighten the nut hand gently with a large crescent wrench, then back off one flat on the nut so you can get the cotter pin in place and you are good to go!

You'll possibly save up to $200 and know it is done properly!

You can find many websites that will give more detail and give you confidence if it is your first attempt.


Incidentally, if you have two axles on your trailer, then rather than mess with jacks, just run one wheel up onto those stacking blocks, assembled in a pyramid, and the adjacent wheel will be hanging in the air ready to remove! I would suggest breaking the lugnuts slightly loose first - easier than when the wheel is spinning free in mid air!


Brian (Currently in melbourne Fla!)

[Mexray]

Robert,

I'd say, before packing wheel bearings with the 'Palm Method', if one had any hair in their palm, it would be prudent to shave first lest some get caught in the rollers...