Changing the wheel bearings on your camper trailer is crucial for safety and preventing costly breakdowns. Properly maintained bearings ensure smooth wheel rotation, preventing overheating and potential wheel failure, allowing for a worry-free camping experience.
Why and When You Need to Change Your Wheel Bearings
Wheel bearings are essential components that allow your trailer’s wheels to rotate smoothly around the axle. Over time, these bearings wear down due to friction, heat, and contamination from water and dirt. Recognizing the signs of failing bearings and performing timely replacement is paramount for safe towing. Ignoring warning signs can lead to catastrophic bearing failure, potentially causing the wheel to lock up while driving, leading to accidents and significant damage.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Several telltale signs indicate that your camper trailer’s wheel bearings need attention:
- Unusual noises: Grinding, rumbling, or clicking sounds emanating from the wheels while driving are primary indicators of bearing wear. These sounds often increase with speed.
- Excessive heat: After a short drive, carefully touch the hub of each wheel. If one hub is significantly hotter than the others, it suggests excessive friction due to a failing bearing. Use caution – the hub could be very hot!
- Wheel wobble: Jack up each wheel and try to rock it back and forth. Excessive play or movement indicates worn bearings.
- Grease leakage: Notice any grease leaking from the hub or around the wheel. This suggests that the seals have failed, allowing grease to escape and contaminants to enter.
- Visual inspection: When inspecting the bearings, look for signs of discoloration (blue or brown tint), pitting, scoring, or excessive wear.
Determining the Replacement Interval
While there’s no definitive replacement interval, annual inspection and lubrication are highly recommended. Consider replacing the bearings every 12,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first, especially if you frequently tow in harsh conditions or experience any of the warning signs mentioned above.
Tools and Materials Required
Before you begin, gather the necessary tools and materials:
- Jack and Jack Stands: Essential for safely lifting and supporting the trailer.
- Wheel Chocks: To prevent the trailer from rolling.
- Socket Set and Wrenches: For removing the wheel and hub components. Make sure you have the correct sizes for your trailer.
- Hammer or Mallet: For removing the hub and installing new seals.
- Bearing Packer: A specialized tool for efficiently packing grease into the bearings. (Optional, but highly recommended).
- Grease Gun: For lubricating the bearings and zerk fittings.
- Bearing Grease: High-temperature, water-resistant bearing grease specifically designed for trailer wheel bearings.
- New Wheel Bearings (Inner and Outer): Ensure you purchase the correct size and type for your trailer’s axle.
- New Grease Seals: These are crucial for keeping grease in and contaminants out.
- Cotter Pin (if applicable): For securing the spindle nut.
- Brake Cleaner or Parts Cleaner: For cleaning the hub and bearings.
- Rags or Paper Towels: For cleaning and wiping up grease.
- Gloves: To protect your hands.
- Safety Glasses: To protect your eyes from debris.
- Torque Wrench: To properly tighten the spindle nut.
- Brake Adjustment Tool (if applicable): If you have brakes, you may need this to adjust them after reinstalling the hub.
- Wheel Bearing Race/Seal Driver Kit: Makes installing new races/seals much easier and prevents damage.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Wheel Bearings
- Safety First: Chock the wheels on the opposite side of the trailer from the wheel you’re working on. Engage the parking brake if applicable. Use a jack to lift the trailer and securely support it with jack stands placed under the frame. Never work under a trailer supported only by a jack.
- Remove the Wheel: Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel. Finish removing the lug nuts and carefully remove the wheel.
- Remove the Dust Cap: Use a screwdriver or pry bar to carefully remove the dust cap from the center of the hub.
- Remove the Cotter Pin (if applicable): If a cotter pin is present, straighten and remove it.
- Loosen and Remove the Spindle Nut: Use a socket to loosen and remove the spindle nut. Keep track of any washers or other hardware associated with the nut.
- Remove the Outer Bearing: Gently pull the hub assembly off the spindle. The outer bearing should come out with the hub. If it sticks, use a screwdriver to gently pry it out.
- Remove the Hub Assembly: Carefully remove the hub assembly from the spindle.
- Remove the Inner Bearing and Seal: Flip the hub over and use a screwdriver or pry bar to carefully remove the inner grease seal. This will allow you to remove the inner bearing. Discard the old seal.
- Clean the Hub and Spindle: Thoroughly clean the inside of the hub and the spindle with brake cleaner or parts cleaner to remove all old grease and debris. Inspect the spindle for any damage or wear.
- Inspect and Replace Races (if necessary): The bearing races are the smooth surfaces inside the hub that the bearings roll against. Inspect them for pitting, scoring, or discoloration. If they are damaged, they must be replaced. Use a bearing race driver kit to remove the old races and install new ones. This requires precision and the correct tools.
- Pack the New Bearings with Grease: Thoroughly pack the new inner and outer bearings with high-temperature bearing grease. A bearing packer is the easiest way to do this, but you can also pack them by hand. Ensure the grease fills all the spaces between the rollers.
- Install the Inner Bearing and Seal: Carefully place the packed inner bearing into the hub. Use a seal driver tool or a block of wood and a hammer to gently tap the new grease seal into place until it is flush with the hub.
- Install the Hub Assembly: Carefully slide the hub assembly back onto the spindle.
- Install the Outer Bearing, Washer, and Spindle Nut: Install the packed outer bearing, followed by any washers or hardware that came off with the spindle nut. Tighten the spindle nut to the manufacturer’s specified torque. If you can’t find the specific torque, a general rule is to tighten until snug, then back off slightly so the wheel rotates freely.
- Install the Cotter Pin (if applicable): Align the castle nut slots with the hole in the spindle and install a new cotter pin. Bend the ends of the cotter pin to secure it in place. Do not overtighten or loosen the nut to align the slots. If necessary, tighten the nut slightly further.
- Install the Dust Cap: Tap the dust cap back into place using a hammer or mallet.
- Adjust Brakes (if applicable): If your trailer has brakes, adjust them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Reinstall the Wheel: Mount the wheel and tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specified torque.
- Lower the Trailer: Carefully lower the trailer to the ground and remove the jack stands.
- Test Drive: Take the trailer for a short test drive and listen for any unusual noises or vibrations. After the test drive, re-check the wheel hubs for excessive heat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I know what size wheel bearings I need for my camper trailer?
The best way is to check your trailer’s owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can remove the old bearings and look for markings on the bearing or race itself. Measure the inside diameter (ID), outside diameter (OD), and width of the bearing for accurate replacement. Cross-referencing these dimensions with a bearing supplier is also an option.
2. What type of grease should I use for my wheel bearings?
Use a high-temperature, water-resistant bearing grease specifically designed for trailer wheel bearings. Look for grease that meets or exceeds the NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute) GC-LB performance classification. Synthetic grease offers superior performance and longevity.
3. Can I reuse old wheel bearings if they look okay?
No. It’s highly recommended to replace wheel bearings in sets (both inner and outer) and to replace the seals whenever you disassemble the hub. Even if they appear visually fine, they may have microscopic wear and tear that can lead to failure. The small cost of new bearings is a worthwhile investment for safety.
4. How do I pack wheel bearings without a bearing packer?
While a bearing packer is more efficient, you can pack bearings by hand. Place a glob of grease in your palm and push the edge of the bearing into the grease. Force the grease between the rollers and the cage until grease emerges on the other side. Rotate the bearing and repeat until all the spaces are filled with grease.
5. How tight should I tighten the spindle nut?
The correct spindle nut torque is crucial. Overtightening can damage the bearings, while undertightening can cause wheel wobble. Consult your trailer’s manual for the exact torque specification. If unavailable, a general rule of thumb is to tighten until snug, then back off until the wheel spins freely with minimal play. Always use a torque wrench.
6. What happens if I overtighten the spindle nut?
Overtightening the spindle nut puts excessive pressure on the bearings, leading to premature wear, overheating, and eventual failure. It can also damage the races.
7. My trailer has electric brakes. Do I need to do anything special?
Yes. Before removing the hub, disconnect the brake wiring. When reinstalling the hub, you’ll need to adjust the brakes according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the brakes are properly adjusted to ensure optimal braking performance.
8. How often should I repack my wheel bearings?
Annual inspection and lubrication are recommended. Consider repacking the bearings every 12,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first, especially if you frequently tow in harsh conditions or experience any warning signs.
9. Can I do this myself, or should I take it to a professional?
Changing wheel bearings requires mechanical aptitude and the right tools. If you’re comfortable working on vehicles and have the necessary tools, you can likely do it yourself. However, if you’re not confident in your abilities, it’s best to take it to a qualified mechanic to ensure the job is done correctly and safely.
10. What is the purpose of the grease seal?
The grease seal prevents grease from leaking out of the hub and keeps dirt, water, and other contaminants from entering the bearings. A damaged or worn grease seal can lead to bearing failure.
11. How do I know if my bearing races need to be replaced?
Inspect the bearing races for pitting, scoring, discoloration (blue or brown tint), or any signs of damage. If the races are damaged, they must be replaced.
12. Where can I buy replacement wheel bearings and seals?
You can purchase replacement wheel bearings and seals from auto parts stores, trailer supply stores, and online retailers. Make sure to buy high-quality parts from reputable brands. Always verify that the parts are compatible with your trailer’s axle.