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rjreiffer · 07-07-2019, 02:36 PM

Question all,

Getting ready to help my son with his TT and I have this question. If your RV is fitted with grease zirts do you need to periodically repack the bearings anyway or is using the zirts and periodically injecting grease enough? Thanks

Pete1985 · 07-07-2019, 02:44 PM

Take them off and clean them and check them out and look at the seals. Then repack them with fresh grease now you no they are good.

Mr_D · 07-07-2019, 03:06 PM

Don't use the zirks (correct spelling), they are meant for use with a boat trailer and people usually ruin the seals using them.

1bigmess · 07-07-2019, 03:10 PM

Some people follow the manufacturers directions for how to properly add grease and are successful, others aren't. It's a better idea to remove the hubs and inspect the bearings.

leadman · 07-07-2019, 04:13 PM

MrD, zerks, not zirks. Check Webster.

I repack the wheel bearings annually. Will lube with the zerks on the boat trailer several times in between.

Skip426 · 07-07-2019, 04:27 PM

I had the "Ez-Lube " axles on my last fiver , and don't trust the set up .Used it once on a 13,500 mile cross continent trip .
Eventually the used grease from the inner bearing gets forced into the outer .
Brakes should be inspected and adjusted annually or 8,000 miles so ; JMHO ; clean and repack the bearings .

glwinger · 07-07-2019, 04:49 PM

This is a great tool for re-packing the bearings.

Most auto parts stores carry them.

Just make sure you use a compatible grease. If you don't know what was used, clean all the grease off the spindles and inside the hub first.

Phil Perrin · 07-07-2019, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwinger

This is a great tool for re-packing the bearings.

Most auto parts stores carry them.

Just make sure you use a compatible grease. If you don't know what was used, clean all the grease off the spindles and inside the hub first.

This is the one I bought a few weeks ago. It was about $7 at Auto Zone. Easy to use and worked like a champ!

lwmcguire · 07-07-2019, 05:34 PM

The EZ lube spindles are great if you lube them properly

The tire or hub has to be rotating while you pump grease, if not rotating you may blow grease by the seal

It will take substantially more wheel bearing grease as you need to add until new grease appears

7000 miles or so is a good number and temperature checks when towing and a slack check to be sure the clearance is correct

Done it this way on many 7/ 8 k axles for many years

Lots of time and like to putter, pull the wheels, hand pack and replace the seals

You should use a seal driver and good quality seal

Dutch Star Don · 07-07-2019, 05:57 PM

I think if you have the zerk fittings, I would still pack them, but do it every other service.

rjreiffer · 07-07-2019, 06:56 PM

How many of you replace the rear seals?

rarebear.nm · 07-07-2019, 07:07 PM

There is not way to get a good eyes on inspection of the bearings without pulling the hub. I repack the bearings by hand every 12,000 miles or once a year, which ever is first. I also take this chance to inspect the disk brakes and possibly bleed the brakes. I always replace the inner seal if I've pulled the hub. They are cheap and easy to replace.

If you have regular drum brakes you can pull the hub without first pulling the wheel. With disk brakes you have to pull the wheel in order to pull the calipers before pulling the hub. I can do all four wheels on the 5th, start to cleanup in less than four hours.

bucks2 · 07-07-2019, 07:21 PM

IMHO you have a choice. You can pack the bearings annually (or at some arbitrary mileage) in the comfort of your yard, home shop, or whatever, or you can replace them beside the road somewhere because you trusted that if you keep adding grease the bearings will never wear out. I'm a fan of the comfort of my home......

Ret.LEO · 07-08-2019, 03:56 AM

"EZLube" is a very possible "lazy lube" method that can cost you plenty.
The typical store bought grease gun can exert up to 15,000 lbs of pressure. Most seals are good for 500 lbs.
Learn to do it the time proven method of hand packing. It will give you a eye and hands on inspection of your components.
Also a great opportunity to replace the cheap set of Chinese components with a much better set of quality Timkens.
The most important parts of a safe TT are the tires, brakes, wheel bearings..........don't skimp on any of them