Do Trailer Bearings Need to be Cleaned When Re-packing

Updated 07/12/2024 | Published 02/08/2010

Products Featured in This Question

LubriMatic LMX Industrial Strength Grease - 14 oz. Cartridge

(272)

$11.31

LubriMatic Professional Pistol Grease Gun

(36)

$51.53

LubriMatic Deluxe Bearing Packer

(59)

$26.90

Question:

Do you have to clean the bearings or can you just add grease. I have a 16foot toy hauler, used about 5 times a year for the past two years.

asked by: Ian B

Expert Reply:

I would remove the hubs and clean the bearings and the inside of the hubs. Just adding grease will allow any impurities that have entered the hub to remain in there with your bearings. Water, sand, salt and other road grime inevitably work their way into the bearings and will eventually cause damage if the bearings are not cleaned. You also get the added benefit of being able to inspect the bearings, races, hubs and brakes for wear or damage.

Knowing that your trailer is in good shape and will perform as needed when on a trip will give peace of mind that you are safe. I generally repack the bearings on my two trailers every other year. I do one per year and the task usually takes about an hour. If you have an easy lube style of axle on the trailer then adding grease is a good thing to do. Just do not add too much once the hub has been initially filled.

I am including some video links on how to inspect the trailer hub and how to repack the bearings on your trailer. Also, some parts links of some items that will help you when repacking your trailer bearings.

expert reply by: Robert G

Perry D.

7/12/2024

What is the best bearing cleaning method? After wiping as much of the grease off as possible, should they be soaked in mineral spirits? Or some type of solvent?

Bud M.

7/12/2024

@PerryD If you are replacing with the same style grease I just remove as much of the old grease as possible and then use the new grease to push out as much of the old grease as possible. If you are going to try and get every last bit of grease out of the bearing I typically just replace them as it takes so much time and the bearing kits are truly not that expensive. Brake clean can be very helpful since you can squirt it into the voids in the bearing.