Repacking wheel bearings

[jlinder]

Went to repack my bearings for the first time (have not had this trailer long) and have some questions<br /><br />1. I have something that looks like a bearing buddy but is labeled "Accu-lube". Can anyone ID this? Rubber cap on the top, pulled it and found a lot of grease. A little wiping and found a grease fitting.<br /><br />2. Grease is red. Any ID on this? <br /><br />3. Do I need to replace with similar grease? Can I mix greases? <br /><br />4. Should I remove all old grease, clean it up and repack with new grease?<br /><br />5. Any real preference on greases?<br /><br />BTW, I am a freshwater boater, if that makes any difference.<br /><br />Thanks in advance

 

[DJ]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

1. I have something that looks like a bearing buddy but is labeled "Accu-lube". Can anyone ID this? Rubber cap on the top, pulled it and found a lot of grease. A little wiping and found a grease fitting.<br /><br /> I believe the "Accu Lube" is a lube system that pumps grease into the axle and then into the hub through the rear (inner) bearing. It is serviced (repacked) the same as any other. <br /><br />2. Grease is red. Any ID on this? <br /><br /> Red is probably a brand color. <br /><br />3. Do I need to replace with similar grease? Can I mix greases? <br /><br /> You can mix as long as you use a water resistant grease made for wheel bearings. <br /><br />4. Should I remove all old grease, clean it up and repack with new grease?<br /><br /> Your choice. One season-no signs of water intrusion-not necessary, IMHO. <br /><br />5. Any real preference on greases?<br /><br /> Any good quality wheelbearing grease.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

1) I've got those hubs on a work trailer.....<br />What it amounts to is, It introduces the grease into the cavity Between the bearings...........<br />IMO, it's just Another way for the Unknowings to Blow-Out the Seals......<br />Bearing-Buddies are Probably Better at keeping water Out.....<br /><br />2)It's Chassis/Bearing Grease.....Color don't mean a thing....<br /><br />3) Any grease that you'll find at Wally World, or your local Autoparts House will work/mix just Fine........<br /><br />4) Ayuh............. That's the way it's Done......<br />Repacking the bearings = Complete Disassembly, Complete Cleaning, Complete Visual Inspection, Repack with grease,+ Reinstall, With a New Seal...........<br /><br />I agree with DJ, you probably don't need it,<br />But, It might be a good time to Find all the Part#s.... That way, If you have a break-down or wish to do them again, You'll Know what parts you're going to Need.......<br /><br />I'm in the process of building a new spare mount... Instead of a Tire hanging off the frame, It's going to be a Complete Tire/Hub Assembly, Packed,+ Ready to Run........<br />Instead of doing the 5 lug nuts, I could just do the spindle nut...........<br /><br />5) Read My Signature...... <br />As far as the arguement that's about to follow, <br />I just Don't see the Need for a Specialized Marine Super Waterproof Grease................<br /> IF the wheel bearing are casually inspected whenever you walk around the trailer.....<br /> AND , You Actually Service the bearings every couple of years...............<br /><br /><br />BTW, ThomWV has written a Great article on this,<br />It's right Here..........

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

Instead of a Tire hanging off the frame, It's going to be a Complete Tire/Hub Assembly, Packed,+ Ready to Run........<br />Instead of doing the 5 lug nuts, I could just do the spindle nut...........

Great idea Bondo. Don't forget a new split pin!<br /><br />But why would you do this instead of just changing the wheel and simply keeping a spare bearing kit ready for that rare emergency?<br /><br />Ciao

 

[DJ]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

Like this one?<br /><br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...nt_category=trailer>bearing&*******=444522122

 

[Lou C]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

Is that the same as what Champion Trailers calls a spindle lube axle? Dust cover had a rubber plug in it, zerk is in the end of the axle spindle, grease goes thru axle, into inner bearing, into outer bearing, and out opening in dust cap. So you really can't overpressuize the seal in the brake drum or hub. I had the other type on my old axle, zerk in dust cap, grease went thru axle to bearings and out rear into inside of axle. Never blew a seal on that one either. I like the spindle lube better since you can easily see the old grease coming out, and can tell if there was water intrusion right away so you avoid a problem.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

Lou C,<br /><br />Your description sounds dead on. There is a rubber cap on the end, and if you pull it off the zerk fitting is right there. I haven't wiped away the grease to see more of it yet. <br /><br />Is the zerk part of the spindle? If so, that clears up how it works and the castle nut and bearings come off while the zerk stays.<br /><br />The opening in the dust cap you are talking about, is that the rubber seal?<br /><br />Raining pretty bad here so I will have to wait to pull the wheel and see for myself.

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

The Accu-Lube (or Spindle-lube, or Posi-Lube) spindles let you ‘repack’ your bearings with fresh grease without disassembling the hub. As you pump grease into the zirc it is introduced into the hub between the seal and the back of the inner bearing. As you continue pumping, the new grease forces the old grease out of the front of the hub around the zirc.<br /><br />I like these spindles because you can keep an eye on the condition of your bearings/grease without disassembling the hubs. <br /><br />Try this:<br />Get the wheel off the ground.<br />Spin the wheel while you pump fresh grease into the zirc. It’s been my experience that by spinning the wheel, you have better odds of getting all the old grease out and I believe spinning the wheel while you pump, eliminates air pockets.<br />Note the condition of the grease that’s being expelled.<br />Black/gritty/rusty = bearing trouble<br />Milky = water contamination<br />Most often tho' the grease coming out is only a slightly thinner consistency than the fresh stuff.<br /><br />If you pump until the grease that’s coming out looks like the grease that’s going in, you’ve pretty much replaced all the old grease with new and don’t have to worry about mixing greases. My hubs can take up to ¾ of a 14oz tube (or more) for this ‘flush’. If you only give the zirc a couple shots of grease – like you would do to a bearing buddy – you don’t have the opportunity to check the grease that’s at the inside bearing. I always pump until what’s coming out looks like what’s going in, so if I do see contaminated grease coming out, I’ll know how long it’s been in there.<br /><br />It’s a mess with all the grease oozing out of the hub, but if you’ve got an extra set of hands they can catch it in a rag and dispose of it properly.<br /><br />YMMV

 

[wayne h]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

another trick is to pack with rubber gloves on this way when u are done packing the bearing u can take off the glove around the bearing and have the bearing in the glove. this will keep it clean and dirt free till u are ready to reinstall them also u can mark the glove right or left so u dont confuse where the bearings go .some old timer showed me that works like a charm also keeps your hands clean. rubber gloves are very cheap and great to keep around the shop

 

[jlinder]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

Thanks for the idea Nick. I assume you wipe the old grease away before you start pumping.<br /><br />One of the rubber caps is starting to show some cracking. Any idea of where I can find a replacement?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

www.championtrailers.com<br />they have all the parts

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

You won't have to wipe the old grease, it will ooze out as you pump the new grease in. I use WalMart Marine Grease - the one that says 'Boat Trailer' on the label.<br /><br />A cracked rubber cap on an Accu-Lube or Spindle-Lube or Posi-Lube system is not the end of the world. If the hub is full of good grease, and it will be if you follow the instructions, about all the cap does is keep road grit from sticking to the exposed grease. The cap could also prevent water intrusion when the trailer is dunked, but if the hub is full of grease I don't see how water is going to get to the bearings. I've driven and splashed without the cap and at the subsequent bearing repack/flush, have found only a very limited amount of contaminated grease from right at the exposed area, in fact so little that I didn't feel it necessary to do anything but the regular repack/flush as described above. <br /><br />I'm not saying that this is the correct or only way to care for your bearings, I only know that I've towed my boats over 30,000 miles, splash mostly in salt water and this (twice a season) repack/flush works for me.<br /><br />Nice tip on the rubber gloves Wayne.

 

[artherm]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

I have been a boater for (40)years, and have experienced my share of boatings joys and problems. I trailer a lot to lakes withing an hour of our home. Wheel bearing care and preventive care has always been a high priority of mine. I have had really good luck with the Bearing Buddies while replacing the dust cap of the wheels, however this should not give you a false sense that your bearings never need to be removed, inspected, and cleaned, repacked, and replaced if necessary. I usually do this about every two years. I have found that there is a big difference in the quality of wheel bearing grease. The problem that you run into, is that your grease seals are not very realible, and usually start leaking water into you hubs with wear. This is where the problems start if your bearings are not protected by quality grease. Pitting of your bearings will result, and result in eventual failure. The water will wash the grease from the bearings, resulting in overheating and the pitting. I have tried several greases over the years, and have had the best results from the Mystik product JT-6 from the Catio Oil Co. in Oklahoma City. They sell their products in Farm Stores in our area. This product just doesn't wash out of my bearings, and I have not had any pitting since using this grease. I have been so pleased with their grease, that I sent the Company a letter complimenting them for making such a great product. I was surprised when they sent me a package containing a sample of all their marine products. I know this sounds like an advertisement for Cato, but this has been my honest experience, while having problems with other greases over the years, some of which are very well known. There is nothing worse than having a wheel bearing failure along the highway.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

Oh yes there is, artherm!<br /><br />Neglect wheel bearings, especially on a twin axle unit, and you could get TWO go within minutes of each other! The first one goes, the next can't take the added load, and - pow - it goes also.<br /><br />The most forlorn sight on the road is a mom waiting by a boat on a broken trailer, while dad, the kids and the car's gone looking for help on a miserable Sunday evening.

 

[artherm]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

Stillfishing<br /><br />We must thank the man that invented those new roll off/roll on tow vehicles. Just this last summer I saw one of these along the highway wenching on a incapcitated boat and trailer. No doubt an axle problem.<br /><br />Are you in Malta, as in the Mediterranean Ocean?<br />I was there in the 60's with the US Navy, in drydock with the USS Sylvania out of Naples, Italy. I met the ship. Flew from Naples down to the Island on a Navy DC-3. Landing at that airport was a thrill, it extends to a shear cliff overlooking the ocean.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

Nick has it correct, do what he said. Servicing this system is much easier than conventional systems.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Repacking wheel bearings

artherm<br /><br />That's the old airport you're talking about. There's a fancy new one now - takes Jumbo's. The old one's used as a drag strip. There are still old nissen huts, a couple of Dakota's (one was used as a restaurant until recently), and other stuff lying around.<br /><br />Drydock's still going - it's a loss-maker and a political hot potato now.<br /><br />And here, the sea temperature is still 17 degrees - swimming at the weekend. Fishing goes on all year - no off season. And the sea's so salty it eats boats!