Checking and Repacking Caravan Wheel Bearing With Basic Tools In The Bush

G'day guys, here's some footage from our Big Lap series that I thought I'd post up separately so that I don't bore those that aren't interested!
This video will give you an idea on how to check wheel bearings for play, remove the hub to get to them, inspect and repack/replace if need be.
Please bare in mind that I have no mechanical trade or training - this is just a really basic example of what you could do yourself if you're in the same situation.
Cheers!
Cam Wild
[e-mail]

[@garylake5332]

Na, not cringing, this retired mech reckons you did a good job considering the gear you have ✔️

[@victorsimone5445]

Well done mate. At the very least you’re willing to give it a go like a real man. Your mrs & daughter are no doubt proud to have you as husband & father. Keep on trucking👍

[@swompa]

Like a real man? So a girl couldn’t do it? Your not a real man if you can’t change a bearing? Time to update your attitude.

[@poeyd9624]

I work for Bearing Wholesalers , and in my eyes you did a fantastic job , especially with the tools you had and the conditions your in ! 👍🍻🍻 Absolutely loving your content guys

[@deanlaffan2390]

As a newbie, this is great ! Thanks a bunch 🙏

[@AdventuringPals]

Thanks for sharing this one mate. It’s something I always worry about. Haven’t changed a wheel bearing in probably over 10 years so I feel like I have forgotten how to do it.

[@peterhanson5042]

I have had the same issue with the grease cap coming off my MDC, to rectify this happening again I added a piece of 90 mm poly pipe joiner that slips nicely over the metal hub cap. If you cut this piece to around 55mm long it fits snuggly behind the outer plastic hub cap stopping the grease cap from coming loose again. this works a treat and I have never had another grease cap loose on my trips again.

[@zoezoe610]

Good job, well worth keeping an eye on them.

[@michaelhermans4753]

Wheel bearings are something I constantly check on my boat trailer after being on the side of a remote road with limited tools I now have a hub puller in my kit as a seized bearing can almost weld itself to the shaft Plenty of marine grease, bearings leaf springs and hubs and don’t forget the surgical gloves! I traded the above for gps coordinates at steep point to kick start our fishing trip Marine grease is currency in remote locations Enjoyed your bush mechanic episode

[@paulgeorge7158]

From a mechanic watching you did ok mate 👍

[@phungtienvo7819]

Thanks Cam any info in relation to wheel bearings etc is always helpful, who cares if you dont have the right wording. I know what you mean. Bravo from Victoria Australia

[@jimbojones2457]

Mate i'm a mechanic and considering your environment you did the job that was meant to be done. Washed bearings out, re-greased, fitted and adjusted with a new split pin! Some mechanics use the old split pin! Good job mate.

[@calcon6]

That was great, i think it's great your able to do all ! hopefully you'll teach your daughter .... most kids don't know any of that kinda stuff. i'm glad you noticed it before it got worse

[@WildTouring]

Chloe loves passing me tools and 'helping' dad in the shed 😂 hopefully that interest continues as she's older!!

[@stendecstretcher4983]

You did a good job and saved a few dollars at the same time.

[@kparker4894]

Good job. You could have packed a bit of grease in the inner bearing also, leaving the seal in place, so long as it wasn't contaminated. The inner bearing will sit fairly loose in the hub when it's off the stub. Just use your first 2 fingers with grease on the tips and go over the seal lip and push it back into the bearing. Also make sure if you use degreaser to clean the bearings to make sure you wash it all off. A can of brake clean will do that. If you don't, the degreaser will start breaking down the grease immediately. Cheers.

[@luketaylor672]

Thanks Cam, I have the MDC Forbes 12+ on order after watching some of your videos. This video in particular has been pretty handy as well as some of the other comments as will be doing the bearing check in a couple of Months.

[@paultonna857]

Good job my friend as a mechanic i was taught to nip up the castellated nut till you can feel just a little resistance while rotating the wheel,then back it off a 1/8 of a turn or the nearest slot in the nut,with a tapered roller bearing slightly loose is better than tight as tight will overheat the bearing quickly,because the bearing is tapperd it will find its happy spot ,but great job

[@WildTouring]

Cheers Paul

[@davidcope5129]

Great vid on wheel bearing mate they are a 60 mm socket for those nuts

[@ericcromb3512]

good onya buddy....I keep a couple of zip lock bags handy and scoop the grease into those and then shove the bearing in and use that to pack the grease in just saves getting dirty...like your content guys.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Agree completely with G&M.L. That job is as good as is needed. What worries me is the thought that there could be people out there that don't know enough to make it safe, or even detect a problem in the first place. Explains those YT videos with wheels flying off and destroying peoples windscreens and other carnage.

[@Podge.]

Thanks for that cam something else I have learnt cheers

[@ooaqici82qb4ip]

Hey Cam. Some of the mdc range don’t have key way access to remove the inner or outer bearing race and there isn’t enough lip to knock them out and they require a welder to shrink the race out of the hub. I removed mine and cut a key way so it could be done on the road and it may be a good idea to check it later as ya may get caught with new bearings in the box that you can’t fit while on the road unless you’re carrying a welder. Cheers

[@WildTouring]

Solid advice Phil. Will have a look next time it's apart!

[@MiniLuv-1984]

I didn't know that was the case. Thanks for bringing that to our attention Phil.

[@MrFeralsteve]

All current MDC hubs can have the bearing cone tapped out no problem. The lip sits lower than the cone edge height

[@jarrendickinson5279]

You are dead right Phil. Seems all these trailers Mdc, Black , Mars ect are hit and miss with the relief behind the race. Glad i changed mine out at home and die grinded my own reliefs in. Also some are counterfeit bearings too

[@sba0147]

Well done Cam, good job mate.

[@xoncention3265]

You only packed the outer bearing? On a normal individual bearing the inner bearing race is the part that slips over the axle. The cage is the component between the inner and outer race that holds the rollers or balls that link the inner and outer race components. The cone or outer race is the part in the hub that the bearing bears against. There is normally an inner and outer bearing on an axle. You preload the bearing by hand then you tighten the castellated nut till the bearing just starts to bind, then you back off the nut till you line up a hole for the pin. Better the bearings are slightly loose rather than too tight as the heat generated will cause a bearing to fail prematurely. Half pack the cover with grease will help replenish the bearing as the grease viscosity reduces as the grease heats up. If you are careful you can normally knock out the inner bearing with the seal to service and repack and reuse the existing seal. You also need to pay attention to the axle where the seal lip runs as this can wear due to the dust and the seal will not keep out water and debris and the bearings will fail sooner. You can install a speedy sleeve to restore the axle. Good to see you checking your bearings.

[@WildTouring]

Thanks for the info and tips mate! Yes only did the outer, didn't want to wreck the seal and cone if I didn't need to.

[@user-vi1gc2yq1g]

This might be a silly question but what is the easiest way to remove the dust cap??

[@vkradio1656]

Great video, don't forget the Forbes review. Interested in the tires, Goodride? What are they wearing like?

[@jeetts59]

Good job under very difficult conditions I’ve done that in sand it’s not easy.

[@petervince1742]

Good vid, thanks -Peter V.

[@nath4x4moyle13]

Did a great job buy the look of it , anyway what do you do for a job when you are not touring.

[@andrewford80]

Anyone know what size the split pin is? Seems theyre larger than what is stocked in most auto supplies stores

[@dark-grey1241]

You’ll know when you’ve over tightened the castellated nut, you‘ll see smoke emanating from the hub within a few minutes of setting off. By then you’ll need a new greased bearing. Not that I’d know about that, much.

[@WildTouring]

😂 dead give away!

[@louiskudlak2241]

Cool buddy

[@mooga9776]

Not likely on a new vehicle but sometimes you get play and it feels like the wheel bearing needs nipping up but it's not the bearing itself but the inner race of the bearing moving on the stub axle because of wear or because it spun on there at one stage. If that has happened you can tighten the bearing up hard but you will still feel the play the same as a slightly loose bearing. Axle wear like this is not safety critical, the worst thing you can do is overtighten the bearing because you think the play is in the bearing itself, then you will have a failure.

[@WildTouring]

Good info mate, cheers!

[@andrewford80]

Based on some of the shit jobs "actual mechanics" sometimes get away with, I don't think they have much grounds for complaint. Job well done, all while getting harassed by flies!

[@ntknow]

Good Job. One question how do you know what bearing to buy for a spare?

[@WildTouring]

Check with manufacturer. Otherwise can take old bearings or measurements of the inner, outer and width to a trailer shop.

[@WildTouring]

Unless you asking specifically about the forbes? In which case I can get you part number?

[@MrFeralsteve]

Download the applicable owner manual for your mdc trailer the bearing codes are in there

[@ntknow]

@@WildTouring Thanks but we are waiting for our new hybrid (due March), different brand though. I'll ask the manufacturer when we get delivery. Cheers!

[@jarradmaate7883]

Get Tinkin bearings. There Aussie made and good quality. We use them at work on them same type of vans they all use the same bearings etc as there the same vans made in the same factory just different name. I’ll get a part number Monday!!