QA

Question: How To Replace Trailer Wheel Bearings

How much does it cost to replace bearings on a trailer?

Some Class A RV owners have stated that it cost anything from $300 to $500 to replace the bearings. Depending on how much you use your trailer and how many miles you get on it, you can wait till about 20,000 miles before your wheel bearing has to be repacked.

How do I know what bearings my trailer has?

The easiest way to determine which bearings are used on your trailer axle is to take the hub off and look for the reference numbers stamped into the metal of both inner and outer bearings. If the bearing numbers are unclear, the next best solution is to take measurements of both bearings. This is the bearing itself.

How long does it take to change trailer wheel bearings?

How many trailers have you seen on the side of the road this year with one wheel propped up? Don’t let it happen to you. If you haven’t checked your wheel bearings lately, read this article. You can complete this simple task in about an hour and save yourself a big repair bill.

How much should it cost to repack trailer bearings?

Trailers tend to be cheaper to repack professionally (think $100-$200), but don’t underestimate the power of the upsells a mechanic might try to give you. If you’re serious about cash, you can likely save a few bucks by repacking your bearings yourself.

What happens when trailer bearings fail?

Improper maintenance of your wheel bearings isn’t just a risk to yourself; not properly servicing your wheel bearings can compromise the safety of the passengers in the tow vehicle and those that share the road with you. Failure to maintain axle bearings can cause your wheels to fall off while the trailer is in motion.

Should there be any play in trailer wheel bearings?

For adequate trailer wheel bearing maintenance, you need to check your bearings on a regular basis. Check wheels for side-to-side looseness – There should be a very slight amount of play in the wheel, typically 1/8-inch or less. If the wheels are loose or spin with a wobble, the bearings must be serviced or replaced.

Should I replace both wheel bearings?

If bearings go bad at one wheel, it is unnecessary to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle. Don’t let someone talk you into work that is not needed. Get the price estimate for wheel bearing replacement for your make and model of car.

Can you over grease wheel bearings?

When it comes to regreasing bearings, more is not always the better option and actually can be a costly mistake. Too much grease volume (overgreasing) in a bearing cavity will cause the rotating bearing elements to begin churning the grease, pushing it out of the way, resulting in energy loss and rising temperatures.

Are all trailer bearings the same?

Expert Reply: Trailer wheel bearings are specific to the spindle that is installed on the axle that is on your trailer. Once the hub is removed you will be able to get the part numbers from the inner and outer bearings to determine the correct replacement parts for your spindles.

How often do you need to grease trailer bearings?

When Should You Grease Your Bearings With a larger travel trailer, you should grease your trailer wheel bearings every 10,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. If you have a smaller travel trailer, however, you’ll need to grease your wheel bearings every 2,000 miles.

How long should trailer bearings last?

Expert Reply: We recommended to repack the wheel bearings on your trailer every 12 months or 12,000 miles. There is not a specific guideline as far as actually replacing the bearings. When repacking them with grease, you will also just want to check for any damage or wear and replace anything if needed.

What size bearing does a 3500 lb axle?

3500 lb axles have the most common and most consistent spindle sizes. They are typically 1.73 inches at the seal, 1.38 inches at the inner bearing and 1.06 inches at the outer bearing like # TRU24FR.

How do you remove a Bearing Buddy?

To remove Bearing Buddy®, lay a block of wood against the side of it and strike the wood with a hammer. Place the wood on the opposite side and hit again. Continue this procedure until you ”walk” the Bearing Buddy® out of the hub. Don’t disassemble the Bearing Buddy® to attempt to remove it.

Can I change my wheel bearing myself?

Changing your own wheel bearings is considered an intermediate job that can be done at home, but will need some speciality mechanic tools. Be sure to obtain your vehicle’s service manual and identify the type of wheel bearing your vehicle is equipped with before you begin the repair.

Can I just replace the wheel bearing and not the Hub?

On some cars, you can just replace the bearing and call it a day. On others, the hub assembly must be removed and replaced. The most difficult type involves removing the hub assembly and setting it in a press. If you’re not sure what type of wheel hub assembly you have, stop by or give your local Pep Boys store a call.