How to Pack / Grease Trailer Wheel Bearings

How to Pack / Grease Trailer Wheel Bearings

[@stephencarmichael5156]

To seat the bearings it's helpful to turn the hub while you tighten the castle nut. bring it tight to the back and spin the hub until it gets resistance then back off a 1/4 turn on the nut before putting the cotter pin in.

[@robot_spider]

Informative, clear, and not over-produced. Well done!

[@brucechristenson1164]

I know this is an old video, but damn, listening to you is like listening to my dad patiently explain things to me when I was growing...damn near brought a tear to my eye.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks, best comment ever!

[@DavidWilson-vq7fl]

This is the best bearing packing video on KZbin - thanks for including all the details!!

[@zgsq127]

After viewing about a dozen KZbin videos on how to do this, your video was the best. It was simple and to the point. I almost panicked once while I was doing my trailer but your video kept me focused and I was able to complete the job without any doubt in my mind if I did it correctly or not. Thanks again.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks for the comment Gabriel !

[@michaeldirrim2361]

You sir, are the Bob Ross of wheel bearing instruction

[@Pilot545]

Couldn't ask for a more thorough and detailed explanation. Great vid!

[@agr00m]

Amazing job! This was the 4th video I watched and you were the first one to actually note details like which way the washer and bearings get placed inside. Thanks so much!

[@N7VAN...]

By far, the best video on packing bearings on the net. Bravo!

[@drudunton3460]

Very helpful, short and to the point, clear instructions and video quality. Thanks!

[@OverkilledUnderdog]

Finally a video I can believe in. Thank you soo much for this.

[@DWileyOne]

This video is AWESOME! I just bought a vintage 24' double-axle travel trailer and am planning on doing the restoration myself (with a little coaching from brother-in-law). A great combination of practical instruction with visuals that make sense. Thank you!

[@hansvanbeek8405]

This is an excellent video without any baloney. Instructions are so clear that I succeeded repacking the bearings on my boat trailer the first time without a problem. I used a wooden dowel to hammer out the back seal and bearing.

[@MrDove01]

I like how you got straight down to business without alot of extra chit chat. That's what I like. Very good.

[@richardeasley3201]

Thanks a bunch! I was pretty sure i knew how to do it, i watched grandpa when i was a kid, but that was a long time ago, wanted to make sure i didn't miss anything important, Exactly what i needed!!!

[@fishinforlikes1611]

I'm so glad I've got this video saved...I use it yearly now. Thanks for uploading this!

[@delikid]

Thank you, Jim! Watching your method made me confident to repack my bearings! Success!

[@humphreyproject]

Thanks! This is one of the clearest and easy to follow DIY videos I have used. The bearings on my boat trailer are just about identical to the ones in your video so your instructions made doing mine a snap. Thanks again.

[@TheDirtyyoungman1]

+Richard Humphrey Same here.. Thanks Jim.

[@ChuckEllis]

Thanks, Jim. I disassembled my 1964 Valiant 4 years ago to do a full restoration and needed a refresher for putting it back together. Those old car bearings are much more like trailer bearings than they are lit the ones on new cars, so this was perfect!

[@ChuckEllis]

+sportster1988 Yup. It has both of those. The pushbutton is my favorite part of the car. Had the car over half my life and intend to have it for the rest. Repack went great, thanks again to your video. It's funny how the bearings on my car were virtually identical to this trailer!

[@MarkTaylor925]

Jim ~~ Being a rookie at this, I watched most all the vids I could find that applied. Yours is without a doubt the most clear & informative. Many thanks for the pointers & instruction. Much appreciated Sir!

[@sethjohnson4513]

This is a very helpful video. I bought a janky jet-ski trailer that has rusty bearings. After referencing your tutorial, I am confident I'll be able to remove them and replace them with new bearings. Much appreciated!

[@dgutier0922]

Simple explanation yet very detailed instruction, thanks!

[@jerrellstrawn6409]

Excellent video. I've pronounced it carter pin all my life; not changing now. One recommendation - tighten the spindle nut with a wrench using about 15 - 20 ftlbs of torque while turning the hub just to make sure every thing is seated properly; back off, then tighten finger tight.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

+Joe Drager I have never heard to do that ... but it makes good sense. Thanks for the comment Joe !

[@karenwebb4565]

Only tapered bearings I did was a '78 Ford many years ago, and that's how Chilton's said to do it.

[@anthonyliberati7117]

I watched 10 videos on trailer wheel bearings.This by far is the is the best. Thanks Tony

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

+anthony liberati Thanks Anthony ! I appreciate you taking time to comment :-)

[@whitelinefever52]

great video, detailed and to the point. just what I needed to grease my bearings. Thanks Jim very helpful.

[@kennethm.380]

Jim, excellent presentation. Thanks for taking the time to get this up on the Tube!

[@BUDTUSCHL]

great video. really informative. now I can start on my trailer and have a good understanding about greasing my wheel bearings. You make it sound easy and to the point. every detail. thanks and keep the videos coming.

[@dougp2917]

Thank you for the step by step, explanations, and cautionary points!

[@paulzimmerman6182]

Thank you, well done. Easy to understand, short and to the point.

[@esp224]

Thanks for making the video,imformative,clear and concise…Cheers from Australia

[@bagambleify]

Jim, thank you very much for reminding me of the correct way to grease my trailer bearings!

[@maverick3825]

Great video! When I pack them, I hold my index finger in the middle of the bearing and then push on the backside to gain a little more gap and as I push the grease through, it goes clear through to the other side as you work around.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Don Davidson Good tip Don ! I appreciate you taking time to post :-)

[@cesarmartinez1258]

This is a great example of how to pack wheel bearings. Great job, thank you!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thank you for taking time to comment !

[@honkahonka1]

Thanks for the very clear instructions in this video! I looked at several and this was the best!

[@Keithtimes]

I've seen 30 videos on this subject. this is the gold standard

[@1Kerryberry]

Thank you! I was going to pay someone to do this on my camper, but you showed me how easy it is to do on my own.

[@northernalberta]

Carter pin! Seriously though thanks for the demo. I used it to do the bearings on my inlaws farm trailer today.

[@MaxQscience]

Thank you for posting this here trailer bearing repacking video, I learned a lot.

[@csm1249]

I think it was a great video, a couple of things I recommend, while you have the hub off replace the seal, they do dry out and get brittle and this is a good time to do it, it will keep the water out. One other thing I would do is to rotate the tire when you get the hub on so you know you have a good seat by grabbing at the 9:00 and 3:00 o'clock positions to see if you have an slop, sometimes the bearing do not seat when you put the castle nut on. Good job. Think you.

[@jtarrant74]

I could listen to you all day. Thanks!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Ha ha ! I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy... but thanks anyhow. :-)

[@tazblink]

Great video did a perfect job. I would like to add just one small bit of advice. If the bearing looks good reuse them however I never reuse a rear seal. Super cheap easy to damage when removing and if it leeks you have to start all over. They bend when removing because they are soft metal so they conform and seal better and the rubber rots or you nick the rubber pushing it out. Can you get away with reusing the seal yes a lot of times you can but they are just a few dollars so I always replace. Thats just me. You did the job just right watch and listen to this guy for sure, good job and thanks for sharing.

[@djamison9r]

Thanks for the video. I haven't done this in years. Great refresher... Cheers!

[@SnappyProWashEstero]

Great video. I watched as a refresher. Getting our late 80s model pop up ready for a long trip. I will add that my local trailer supply shop (I had to purchase new seals) said to tighten the castle nut to 10 ft lbs to set the bearings and then back it off and hand tighten. I used a can of brake cleaner to clean them up prior to repacking (I have a bearing packer tool).

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

That seems reasonable, thanks for sharing !

[@gdcross]

Great video! I now have a good understanding to maintain the bearings on my own trailer. Thanks!

[@cccchip04]

Thank you. I've never done this before & boss was like here you go look it up & figure it out

[@gorderbust]

Fabulous. Concise and precise. Covers everything. Thankyou

[@cwujek]

Thank you for your video, helped me finish my axles today.

[@yozy4996]

You did an excellent job teaching , and recording this video Sir.. Thank you..

[@beeveeh]

Very easy to follow video Jim, thankyou. I'm gunna grease me some bearings now.

[@tannerwinn9665]

Thanks! I just grease my trailer bearing for the 1st time by myself with your tutorial.

[@connecting2spirit]

What a great video! I loved the close ups of the work you did. Nice job...Really appreciate it

[@gorp27]

Great tip for saving the rear seal, I usually just pryed the old one out with a large scewdriver and put a new one back in, but I'll use your method from now on if the seal is still good.

[@johnbouldin9033]

Thank you. I couldn’t figure out how to get the inner seal off. Thank you!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

You bet! Glad it helped.

[@Robert-cg2bj]

Very clear directions. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@jamesnagle2226]

You are the man. Great video!!!!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Bearing buddies work on the front bearing pretty good but often leave old watery grease toward the rear bearing. Two hours work at the house sure beats 2+ hours stuck on the side of the highway - and is probably less expensive. Peace of mind and a sense of accomplishment are worthy of most any man's time. Best wishes on your trip - and tight lines to ya !

[@rattlesnakejones1]

Exactly the info I was looking for! Thanks!

[@Ahch.]

Thank you very much. Simply put with every detail covered. Best repacking video!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks Donnie !

[@drmayojr]

Great video. Short and to the point. Thanks!

[@udmanmas]

Great video, easy to follow, I felt like my dad was talking me through it!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks Mike !

[@IstasPumaNevada]

I've never done this before. Thanks for the informative video.

[@PhillipHall01]

Just like my Daddy taught me many years ago. Thank you.

[@hectorgonzales3082]

Sir, thank you so much fir very well and explained tutorial. I'm actually looking forward to doing the work myself. thank you so much

[@mchaggis622]

Perfectly explained. Thank you!

[@garyfranklin3307]

That's not only was to the point. But also enjoyable.. Thanks..

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks Gary !

[@Bushcraft113]

Well done video. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

[@MrHeymus]

Thanks. Simple and easy demonstration. Cheers

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks Pink, I clean the bearings with paper towels. Roll the bearings back and forth on the paper towel and most all the old grease will come off on the towel.

[@zzekiel]

I didn't have the right size pvc pipe for the seal, but found for my 3500lb axle seal that a small shop vac tube is the PERFECT size to drive that booger out!

[@leeobryan564]

Really helpful video. Thank you from a wet and windy England......

[@Modzilla32]

Thanks! Straight to the point.

[@petergribben7294]

Good reminder. Thanks for the torque settings.

[@huntingkc1]

Yep, I did mine on my boat trailer for the first time and everything seams to be working great

[@stuszith]

Very good informative video -laid back presentation-to the point -Ihave to do this on my Vintage unknown Model/MAKE bOAT TRAILER.

[@wcjones4079]

Thank you, very helpful. I knew I was missing something - that washer...

[@lrobson4490]

Thank you! This was extremely helpful!!!!

[@wylie7-7]

Simple and effective video. Thank you!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

@sabresierra Often times you can hear a bad bearing while driving. Jack the tire/wheel off the ground and rotate the wheel. If it makes a grinding sound the bearings may be bad. You can also push/pull the 3/9 oclock of the raised tire toward and away from you and if there is a sloppy wobble then the bearing my be bad. Please review my KZbin video "How to Grease Trailer Wheel Bearings" on how to grease a wheel with a ez-lube fitting.

[@user-nz5qc5kf7n]

Old school skills. The best.

[@BasementShopGuy]

Thanks for the video Jim - most helpful ;)

[@dennisfalan1623]

+BasementShopGuy Really Wow!

[@awgondzur]

I'm gonna go ahead and give you a thumbs up. Great video.

[@PlayinBanjo]

thanks, very helpful video. I need to repack bearings on a new Harbor Freight boat trailer, and after the shop I took the hubs to damaged the inner seal, am going to do it myself! so never having attempted this before, nice to find your video! My only problem is that Harbor Freight (unbelievably!) doesn't seem to sell seals for their boat trailers, and they are not standard sizes here in the states. and have no number on them or the hub. I finally found some on EBay, which look like the (metric) id and od will work - (hoping that will get my little trailer on it's wheels and out of my back yard!) Just thought I would mention, in case anyone else is having (or has solved) this problem.

[@BorderPaps]

Irene My trailer from harbor freight had weird sized bearings too. Ordered a set from Amazon and they fit - with Russian writing and all!

[@jimmylee377]

Thanks for the good video... simple to understand.

[@djcue7608]

Great video fixed my trailer today and this video helped

[@TheDirtyyoungman1]

Great video, Jim. Thanks.

[@boondockingbiker4578]

This helped me out a lot. Thank you.

[@brokenrecord3523]

Thanks - got two done last night, two more tonight. 👍

[@Rob_1776]

Great vid man!! But when I pack a bearing I tap the bearing in the grease in my hand and do it around the whole thing on both sides a bit messy but is a bit faster lol!! Someone may have already commented this though!!

[@johnbravo7542]

Thank you for the video Jim,it was most helpful

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Glad it helped !

[@NSparksguy]

great video, exactly the info I was looking for.

[@weeze68dt]

Thanks for the informative video Jim

[@consciousobjector2507]

Excellent information, thank you!

[@kirschten]

Great, to to the point, very helpful. Thanks.

[@ameenbakare2316]

This is a great video Jim. Thanks.

[@ForceMultiplier]

Best axle bearing video on youtube.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks Force !

[@chrismorrison9575]

Thank you sir! Very helpful!

[@TheBullminner]

Easy instructions! Thanks for posting.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks for watching !

[@marccasupang9843]

Thanks for the how to video. Big help!

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Thanks Marc, glad it helped.

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Yes, you are correct - and I knew that once upon a time... I think my "senior moments" may be exacerbated by being in the "KZbin Video Spotlight" :-) I' have added an annotation to the video so I don;t perpetuate my error in subsequent viewers pronunciations. Thanks for the English lesson / reminder. Best wishes... and thanks for watching.

[@themysticmakers4908]

Amazing detail, Thank you very much sir!