Community Forums

tomgrigsby · 04-19-2021, 04:50 PM

A friend just had a dolly wheel bearing fail which made the dolly basically unrepairable. He had maybe 3000 miles on it, bought it new two years ago. Just fyi, ensure you may want to repack wheel bearings periodically. They don't seem to be lifetime like most cars.

atreis · 04-19-2021, 05:21 PM

Most dollies use the same type of axle assembly that travel trailers use. Yes, you have to have the wheel bearings repacked regularly. (Also, the OEM tires are often cheap chinese ... with a maximum speed rating of 65 mph.)

As for your friend's dolly, it's almost certainly repairable, and given the age is likely worth getting done.

tomgrigsby · 04-20-2021, 03:59 AM

I should have said not immediately repairable. He's near a major metropolitan area but couldn't find anyone to take on the job. It was more expedient to buy another one that be stranded for a week or more trying to get it fixed. The axle was twisted and a new one has to be welded on.

FIRE UP · 04-20-2021, 10:19 AM

I myself have had a zillion wheel bearings apart and repacked, replaced and all that. It's not a hard job at all but, does take at least some minor equipment, fluids (cleaning) etc. to do the job correctly. When I do it, the bearings are thoroughly cleaned and blown clear of any left over old grease and whatnot.
Then while I do have a repacking attachment for my grease gun, it's a whole lot easier to just grab a glob of grease, put it in my left palm and, with my right hand, start working that into the cleaned bearing. Takes about a minute to thoroughly pack a bearing.
Now, as for all dollies having repackable wheel bearings, well, I'm by far no expert but, there have been on here, reports of some that are SEALED bearings. And even many of our Jeep front wheel bearings are sealed and non-repackable. So, for you dolly towers out there, I'd definitely yank a wheel off and do whatever's needed to find out WHICH version of bearings you have.
If you're not the type that does your own work, then get whomever you choose and rely on, to do the checking and or work for you. Oh, and to the OP, not that it's all that important but, you might get a moderator to change your title. "Grade" your wheel bearings", hmmmm. Yeah, we know what you mean but, it's just a slip.
Scott