Trailer Bearings and seals

[HBarlow]

Sealed, never lube bearings are not for everyone. They aree fine for a few years but I think the sealed bearings are pricey when it comes time to replace them.

One thing I like about them is I don't have to jack up a large and heavy fifth wheel with 12,000 lbs. of weight on four tires or 3,000 lbs. on each tire to pull the heavy tire and wheel, remove the hub, clean and lube the bearings, and put it all back together every year.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thats true Harvey but I would rather do it in a controlled place not on the side of the road. I dont like to HAVE to make a judgement call will the bearing be ok or will it last for a while longer. I just like the assurance that ive done the bearings and inspected them and repacked them. I wonder is the Never lube bearing pressed in or just a drop in fit

 

[steved]

NSK are still made in Japan (at least they were last year). I recently redid my small trailer that utilizes Dana 60 hubs/stubs, all Timken purchased online were made everywhere but China, Mexico, and the USA. I want to remember they were mostly Romania?

As long as they are kept greased, kept tightened, and not submerged; bearings typically last a long time. Make sure you use the best grease you can afford to buy (research it, don't fall for the marketing hype)... I avoid store brands, and have a pound tub of Mobil 1, a pound tub of Pennzoil 707L, and tubes of Schaeffers #274; all serve the purpose well.

As far as the EZ lube stuff... I have that on my 10k equipment trailer with Quality Axles, I have added a lot of grease to them and never had a drip of grease on the brakes. It has probably 15k to 20k miles on it. I recently brought home a smaller utility trailer (single axle) with a Dexter axle in it (no brakes), it has a grease fitting on the axle stub. I feel the greaseable axles are better suited to those axles without brakes.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Make sure you use the best grease you can afford to buy (research it, don't fall for the marketing hype)... I avoid store brands, and have a pound tub of Mobil 1, a pound tub of Pennzoil 707L, and tubes of Schaeffers #274; all serve the purpose well.



Steved take a look at Valvoline Palladium Grease. When I moved to MT went to the auto parts in town (Napa) just to look around and talk to the owner to see what he had /could get. I hate surprises when I need something and they dont have it when I could have went someplace else. Any way I bought some grease for my shop and the store owner had me take a look at this grease. Look up the specs on line I think youll be happy its very good Valvoline.com > Products > Grease Comercial > > Valvoline Palladium® Grease