Trailer bearings

[moderatebill]

I have a ten year old trailer and wonder if I should change the wheel bearings? I have added grease a couple times over the years, but this is it. I just pulled the cap off and still has plenty of grease. The hub also spins nice and smooth.

Thanks,

 

[jokerman]

Have you ever pulled them out? washed them down?Check for pitting and spauling,if they look good and not loose,repack and reuse...if it was me ,I don't like to waste$$$

 

[dcooper]

It's all piece of mind, they seem to be holding up well. Keep the grease to em and carry a spare if you don't mind making a change on the side of the road when they really need it.

 

[Pro-8250]

Bearings are cheap. Break downs are not. $.02
What's in your wallet?

 

[Coldfinger]

How many miles has it been towed and/or how many sets of tires have you worn out? If you've worn out more than a few sets of tires I'd think about replacing the bearings.

 

[SpencerA]

I think for peace of mind I would do them. Pretty cheap to replace.

 

[Goinboardin]

I'm with Jokerman on this one.
Pick up a set of grease seals, grease, lots of paper towels. Disassemble the hubs, clean the bearings. Look closely at the rollers & races, if they look OK, they are OK. I have 200,000 miles on my pickup's front wheel bearings: they will last if you keep them lubed. Repack the bearings if they look OK (I like to load the hub with lots of grease too) install new grease seals in the hub, shoot some grease in on occasion over the course of the next 10 years. No sense buying new when there is nothing wrong with the old. If you're concerned, carry an extra spindle and loaded hub (so long as your spindles are bolt on, not weld on), they're not bad to swap out if one locks up.