About 2 1/2 years ago and about 10,000 miles ago, I had the bearings replaced, packed and brakes done by a well known trailer manufacturer service dept. Last week a bearing burned up, the wheel came off, and ruined the axle. It is an older Featherlite and now I have to buy two axles because the new ones don't match the older models. Shouldn't those bearings last longer than that, or did I get screwed on that service.
Posted 2015-04-06 9:13 PM (#163093 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The mechanic may not have initially torqued the new bearing fully into their seats during the original installation. This is a higher torque setting than the final setting. If the bearings are not initially seated, they will become loose with wear. If the bearings' torque setting was not reduced on the final torque, the bearings may have been too tight and overheated, burning them out. The bearings may not have been fully packed with grease. Just smearing some grease on the outside of the bearing cones is not enough for proper lubrication. The bearings should last far longer than 10K. They should be repacked at that distance if they are subject to harsh conditions, but they should not have failed. The last suggestion is to make sure of the quality of the products that were installed. There are several bearing companies that are noted for first rate products, and rarely will Chinese offerings be among them. Unfortunately, because of lower price pricing, they are becoming very common as are their trailer tires.
Posted 2015-04-07 5:07 AM (#163094 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: pineville,mo
I have those bearing buddys on mine,once a year I put about 3 pumps of good grease in mine while spinning the tireBUT I don't pull but about 6,000 miles a year.
Posted 2015-04-07 6:07 AM (#163097 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Everton, Arkansas
I pull my hubs, check brakes and repack or replace bearings each spring before I start hauling to camps. A couple of hours work and I'm usually good for the year.
Posted 2015-04-07 7:41 AM (#163098 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Shiro, Texas
I appreciate the feedback. Gooseneck Trailer service told me bearings should be checked/re-packed every 3,000 miles, depending on use. For me that would not be more than once per year. I doubt I got over 6,000 on the new ones they installed. I thought incorrectly that I would be set for several years. Guess I've just been lucky because I pulled different trailers all my life and never serviced or worried about the bearings. I think either the new bearing was faulty or they were too tight. Reckon I'll be checking them more regularly now.
Posted 2015-04-07 9:22 AM (#163101 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Who ever told you that wheel bearings need to be repacked every 3K, probably also has an oil change service, and recommends the same intervals for engine oils. If the bearing service is done correctly, these short mileage recommendations are unnecessary and profitable to the service center. You are being ripped off.
Posted 2015-04-07 12:54 PM (#163106 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Veteran
Posts: 104
My trailer mechanic gives me hard time every time I have him check and repack my wheel bearings.(every year before traveling to the world show). Twice he has had to apologize for giving me a hard time, because he found a bearing going bad. I am now replacing every other year and repacking every year.
Posted 2015-04-07 2:00 PM (#163107 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
In my experience, repack intervals vary greatly. Do you travel dirt roads a lot? Are weight on the axles maxed out every mile? Are you subject to water encroachment (ie, wet areas) more than most? What type of grease are you using? Are axles in good alignment? Did the seals get replaced with the bearings? Did the races get replaced with the bearings? All these questions will influence the interval.
I have found out that some new bearings typically need re-torqued after the first 500 miles or so as they do need to seat. Whenever I get a new trailer or new bearings, I always check the end play before every trip for the first few trips. A lot of times, the end play needs reduced.
My personal opinion is that, you could of gotten screwed, but, if you never have looked at the bearing play or pulled off a grease cap during that time, the burden is on you.
Posted 2015-06-09 4:05 PM (#163698 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Veteran
Posts: 211 Location: El Paso, Texas
I repack every year, replace every 3 years and totally replaced it all from the backing plate out (brakes, drums, springs ETC) when the trailer got 10 years old. I have never had a bearing problem (knock on wood)
Posted 2015-06-09 5:09 PM (#163701 - in reply to #163091) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
I'll never understand these quoted bearing intervals. Do you repack and/or replace vehicle bearings every year or three? I inspect my trailers wheels regularly but don't see the justification in tearing down the wheel hub so often. I check my hub temps at fuel stops, and have not had anything out of the ordinary or had a bearing failure.
Posted 2015-06-09 6:31 PM (#163704 - in reply to #163701) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Veteran
Posts: 211 Location: El Paso, Texas
Originally written by hornet on 2015-06-09 4:09 PM
I'll never understand these quoted bearing intervals. Do you repack and/or replace vehicle bearings every year or three? I inspect my trailers wheels regularly but don't see the justification in tearing down the wheel hub so often. I check my hub temps at fuel stops, and have not had anything out of the ordinary or had a bearing failure.
I guess you need to read it again, it says I repack every year and replace every 3 years. Sorry that bothers you, I also change my oil every 3000 miles. Why, cuz I want too!
Posted 2015-06-10 9:26 AM (#163715 - in reply to #163707) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Originally written by hornet on 2015-06-09 7:28 PM
Oh and the oil companies and jiffy lube thank you for the 3000 mile.
Talking to an old timer GM dealer Service Manager the other day, said they are seeing manufacturers start to shorten those long oil intervals back up as oil related warranty claims had been increasing. Just sayin'.
Posted 2015-06-10 12:02 PM (#163720 - in reply to #163715) Subject: RE: Wheel Bearings
Veteran
Posts: 211 Location: El Paso, Texas
Originally written by horsey1 on 2015-06-10 8:26 AM
Originally written by hornet on 2015-06-09 7:28 PMOh and the oil companies and jiffy lube thank you for the 3000 mile.
Talking to an old timer GM dealer Service Manager the other day, said they are seeing manufacturers start to shorten those long oil intervals back up as oil related warranty claims had been increasing. Just sayin'.
I live in the desert, sand everywhere, lots of gravel and dirt roads. Scheduled Preventative Maintenance is important out here. Heat and sand effect Bearings, oil and air filters and will break you down. Don't believe me, ask any soldier that operated equipment in Iraq
Wheel Bearings
