How To Replace RV Trailer Brakes, Hubs, Rotors & Repack Bearing Grease

Become a Patron: / myrvworks
Parts and Tools Links: myrvworks.com/resources/darre...
Service Manuals: myrvworks.com/manuals/
myrvworks.com
Certified Mobile RV Technician, Darren Koepp, walks you through an important yearly maintenance item on your RV or trailer - inspecting and/or replacing your wheel hubs, rotors, and brakes as well as repacking your bearings with fresh grease. Find out what tools you need, and a few tricks that will come in handy along the way.
If you are in need of RV Repairs in the Olympic Peninsula area of Washington state, submit a service request on our website at myrvworks.com today!

[@williamtoney2599]

Master Tech here….always clean your bearing before repacking. It’s much easier to see hot spots and pitting when the bearing is clean. In the field, brake clean works well. 😎

[@tylerfb1]

Brake drum is what you're looking for. Rotor is fine, but more for disk brakes. Hub is what the bearing assembly and wheel retaining hardware are called.

[@johndunn678]

Usually I pull the outer bearing out, put the castle nut back on, and pull the drum towards me and down real fast. That removes the rear bearing and seal all in one motion and quickly. Cheers

[@gerardtrigo380]

I started working as a Mechanic's helper when I was 14, and put myself through college working as a mechanic. I would have washed those bearings with a good degreaser, to remove all dirt and contaminants. The inspection would have noted not only color, but spinning to feel any irregularities or excessive looseness in the bearing. I would have hand packed them to make sure that the bearing was fully impregnated with grease. I would tighten the castle nut to the point where the wheel would not spin to properly seat the bearings, then back off 1/4 turn, and check to make sure the wheel spun freely, If there was excessive drag I would back the nut off more in 1/16th of a turn increments until the wheel spun freely, than put in a new cotter pin and finally the cleaned cap.

[@MrPoorcharlie]

You know how to do it, but this guy doesn't. We cleaned the bearing with #2 fuel oil. Back in the day we didn't have degreaser.

[@davidmichael3137]

Thats a good point about setting the bearing

[@tonyw9429]

Don’t gob the spindle up with grease before putting the hub on, you’re defeating half the purpose of the seal. He just pushed all that grease on the spindle back into the brakes, where you don’t want any grease, hence the seal that keeps dirt out and grease in, away from the brakes. You don’t want the inner or outer bearing race to turn or spin on the shaft so they don’t need grease between the bearing race and the spindle any how.

[@jamesbonkoski2481]

Gerard Trigo Bravo! And this how it was done! Old school learning was the best by far. If you are going to do a job, you do it right the first time! The BEST to you Sir!

[@graemeakerman9120]

I have been a qualified truck and car tech for 50+ years and I would have done it the same way as you Gerald Trigo not the way shown in the video.

[@natep1661]

It's a drum. Invented by Frank Olds of Oldsmobile. Fantastic video. Thank you. Just blew my back seals out not knowing any better and have to fix it now.

[@petehoward8494]

You're not a mechanic, you just play one on KZbin... All kidding aside, this is an excellent vid, and you know your stuff. If you are doing mobile RV repair, (and getting paid), you are a mechanic.

[@kckettridge]

Darren, you're like the Scotty Kilmer of RV's. Showing us how to fix and maintain our RV's ourselves. No nonsense, no bull just straightforward advice, and how to. I am about to undertake repacking the wheel bearings, changing the seals and brake assemblies in the next couple of weeks. God Bless you man! Thank You!!!

[@pray4Liberals]

60 yo PAHS Rough Rider (living now in Arkansas). Really appreciate the videos!

[@brianmock551]

Thanks for releasing a video as to how you do this. The video gives others a chance to comment/ augment with their learnings. That’s the beauty of these videos.

[@carlosjoelgarcia3200]

Great Video and throughly enjoyed the audio and explanations. Thanks to all of the helpful comments which added value and constructive criticism to the content!

[@darinwilson5265]

Hello Darin. I recently became an owner of a RV Motorhome. I have watched a lot of your videos and learned so much. Thank You!!

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

The general wisdom is to continuously rotate the drum/wheel while pumping grease - vs your stop-start rotation

[@williamfry6087]

I still give you a thumbs up after about a year since I watched it last. A great reference video for RV brakes.

[@paulob5153]

Great explanation and detail on this ..I feel I am ready to tackle my trailer 👍

[@chrisfurry766]

All of your videos are extremely helpful. Thank you for taking the time to pay it forward.

[@GreenAcres581]

Great video, I would add how to adjust the brake shoes using the star adjuster accessible through the hole in the backing plate. That will ensure that all 4 brakes begin applying force at the same time.

[@CC-vr8wn]

Nice video, as a class 8 truck/trailer mechanic I’m going to throw in my two cents. The part he removed is a one piece hub/drum. Depending on the number of miles on the trailer, if you are replacing the hub, I would have replaced the bearings as well. Used bearings on a new race may last forever or it may not, new bearings are not that much more, food for thought. The claw hammer works, but they make a seal puller and driver. This next part is pretty important. I would not reinstall the hub in the manner he did at 21:20. I would have the outer bearing already packed with grease and slide the hub on the spindle SLOWLY. As soon as you are able to slide the outer bearing on the spindle, put it on and push it in the hub. This ensures the hub and seal are perfectly aligned with the spindle. Then as soon as you are able, put the castle nut on and use it to push the hub and seal on to the spindle until it bottoms out. If you notice he only had the rear bearing in when he slid the hub on. This allows the hub to wiggle around and could potentially tear your new seal and allow grease to escape onto your new brakes. Once the hub bottoms out, then you can make your tension adjustments on your castle nut. You should really use a dial indicator to check “wheel end play” for maximum bearing life. The brake applicator he made was really cool. I’ve seen some of this guys other videos on electrical trouble shooting. He is very good at that and I would love to work with him to learn more on the electrical side

[@paulwary]

How much excess grease is required within the cavity? I’ve heard ‘half full’ but doubt that much is required. From my small experience, grease seems to stay in place anyhow, so the grease packed in the bearing is what will lubricate it until the next change.

[@lostinmyspace4910]

C C On my 16 ft utility trailer, one of the four wheels lock up when I go in reverse. It's ok going forward. I thought it was an electrical short in the brakes so I unplugged the 7 prong plug to make sure. It's mechanical in nature, but again won't spin backwards. Is it the bearings, or something else that is locking it up? Thanks C C

[@CC-vr8wn]

@@lostinmyspace4910 I don’t think it’s a bearing. A bearing failure would cause a problem in both directions. It’s probably in the electric brake on that particular wheel. Even though you unplugged it The magnet inside there may be messed up and causing it to grab when the wheel rolls backward. Depending on how old the trailer/brakes are I’d probably just replace the whole brake assembly. if you don’t know, you can just unbolt the whole assembly from the axle and put a new one on with new shoes, magnet, ect. Hope this helps, good luck

[@shawnkuchta4020]

Thank you very much for taking the time to make this excellent video. Heading out to my RV in the driveway with added confidence.

[@wrxs1781]

Thanks for posting, your video was well put together and informative. I have done trailer electric brakes in the past but this refresher was helpful.

[@markbartlett1251]

Extremely well done. Your attention to detail is amazing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@greghercher2068]

So glad you took the extra time to do this!

[@MrBill3288]

Great video! I’m interested in your 2 second on and off device that energizing your breaks. Could you provide a list of items needed to make one? Timer wiring schematic and everything I’m very familiar with brakes on a car and wheel bearings on trailers. However I just purchased my first tandem axle trailer with brakes. And I feel your 2 second timer will be greatly helpful for me while serving each year Thanks

[@bostonblueguy]

Such a great video. Before I didn't even been know what packing your wheel bearings was, now i feel like I can do this myself thanks to your video!

[@robertdescant2025]

Great Video! Extremely informative, will tackle mine tomorrow and feeling very confident because of this video! Thanks much!

[@dieterleimann1171]

Well done very helpful as i haven't pulled electric brakes apart before but it looks easy enough Great Vid !!!

[@paulkhoury3160]

Fantastic video. Now I see what I need to do to convert my trailer from hydraulic to electric brakes as well as other maintenance items in the process.

[@johnjoycesmall1768]

Nicely done, simple and very descriptive even for a novice to watch

[@VitorMadeira]

Very good help! Thank you and greetings from Portugal.

[@MyRVWorks]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching and I would love to visit! LOL...

[@richard1835]

Wow. That is great. The brake pads are already mounted to the backing plate. The whole assembly as one unit. That is great. Great Video. Thumbs up.

[@billadkinson9432]

Thank you! You've demystified drum brakes for me :-)

[@craigwflys]

One of the best bearing repacking videos I've ever seen 👍

[@mebeard8]

Coming from a 12 year tech.. terrible video

[@craigwflys]

Noted. I'd love to see a video that does it right. Any channels that come to mind let me know.

[@bobmazone4440]

Excellent video, great narrative description

[@carldreitlein1376]

This was very helpfully, it is the most thorough description I’ve seen so far , I’m new to RVing and not much of a mechanic but I actually think I could do it based on this video , thank you

[@billfincher8519]

Darren, excellent coverage

[@kartikc3773]

Thank you for sharing your videos. Armature/Drum - The armature is cast as an integral part of the drum. The magnet maintains light contact with the armature at all times.

[@user-yx9zw3hq3w]

OMG!! What a great video! A lot of good info and technique. I feel confident that I can do my own trailer brakes now.

[@jamesgillies3710]

great job very informative thank you for the effort.

[@charliehooks5801]

Thanks my friend I need to do this and fix breaks not coming on. Appreciate your vids

[@davidwhiteman9226]

It even says the right spelling of brakes in the title ? Breaks ?? C'mon man.

[@davidwhiteman9226]

Don't have to be a mechanic to know the difference between a rotor and a brake drum.

[@scottsuchovsky7659]

This is awesome. Thanks very much. Just got my first trailer with brakes and will do this exact thing next week. Thank you

[@MrScottee411]

Will defiantly tear into this in a few months when weather is kinder. The info was great.

[@douglashill3190]

Awesome. Very very professional videos. Thank you

[@paulnicholson3221]

Other than the drums at the beginning this was a very informative and made simple to follow video , great job sir

[@ridewithgnr2116]

I used to live in Sequim. I miss that place. Looks like a drum to me

[@TWegnerPhotography]

Adding one more tip, since the new drums come with bearing races already installed in the center hub, its not advisable to run the old bearing. Bearings tend to get micro grooves and or just grooves in the rollers. If your replacing the drum replace the bearings too. Otherwise a possibility of old bearing creating a wear pattern in the new race. The race again is in the hub portion of drum. This was another great video just wanted to add this for all you diy people.

[@loucal1227]

I would never reuse bearings if replacing the hub/drum! New bearings relatively cheap so why take a chance! Also I always repack my bearings by hand like my dad taught me so I KNOW they are properly greased! Thanks for the great video though I learned a lot!

[@ashleywynn4923]

Also note that brand of wheel bearings as some are junk. The following normally are good bearings- Timken and Moog. I’m sure there are other good bearings but watch out for cheap china knockoffs.

[@imreherczeg7584]

Thank you very much for the excellent training .👍👍👍

[@tobyswope6875]

Súper helpful video, thanks!

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Great video, thanks again for another awesome video.

[@rubencardona21]

Thank you for everything. Great way to explain.

[@my1zoky]

Thank you so much I never seen one of these done so thoroughly!

[@retiresafely]

Wishing you miles of smiles after a great video...dont know if I would do this again... trip to the shop on my next one!

[@thebordernow]

Not sure how I got here, but I learned a lot -- if I ever have the occasion or need to do something like this! (Clever little tool you made to do the on/off brake testing!)

[@richr909]

Thanks for making this video. Helped me alot with my trailer.

[@LetsGoBrandon_]

Outstanding detail, sir. Thanks!

[@TomwithaDream]

Great video. Comprehensive. I appreciate the education.

[@rickc2222]

so good and detailed thank you!

[@tomfromtacomas7249]

Excellent video I’m now ready to go take a look at our Horse Trailer‘s brakes and bearings! Thanks

[@MyRVWorks]

Hi Tom, We are so glad to hear that our videos were able to help you! If you would like to support us please consider becoming an "RV Community Supporter" on our Patreon site: www.patreon.com/myrvworks Happy Camping, My RV Works Media Team

[@ChazSeez]

Very thorough. Now, to go get the parts, tools, & grease. This will be fun getting all messy!

[@leonardpattersonjr9656]

Good informative video. Packed bearings before, first on RV, some focus points now, thanks.

[@MyRVWorks]

Hope it helps and happy camping

[@HurlgoatHiker]

Damn! Love this vid so much, Thanks for taking the time to put this together!

[@seanheadrick]

that is a great video!! I feel very confident to replace my Argosy brakes now :] Your intuition is correct. My Dad explained to me when I was a lad, that reusing "torqued" bolts over is "bad practice" because you actually stretch the bolt when it is originally torqued down.

[@seeasmuchasyoucan]

Thanks for another wonderful video, Darren! I'm about to tackle this job for the first time, and I watched several KZbin contributors that I trust, but yours was the most informative, as usual. I'm sure you've heard this a lot over the years, but each of your videos provides a great resource for the rest of us trying to tackle these jobs ourselves in our driveways. It must be nice to know that the videos you have made continue to help people even years and years after you have made them. Thanks again, and best wishes.

[@thetoolmat8632]

Yep did this yesterday and found this video to be spot on!

[@DC-nl8xn]

Very well done very very well done in depth video of trailer brakes excellent

[@johnnyreeves8697]

thanks for making it simple

[@supertrooperandstreetking]

Good job Darren! Thank you for sharing.

[@MyRVWorks]

You are welcome!

[@daviddenman7479]

Awesome tutorial. Thanks

[@kenwestlake7461]

Thank you for doing this video I am not a mechanic and it helped me a lot to do my own breaks on my camper I just bought. Thanks again.

[@brich2929]

Thanks for this very informative video! I learned a lot!

[@BubblyGumm]

Thank you! I had no idea about the packing tool. I;m off to Oriely's to grab one before starting to tear brakes apart to see what I'm working with

[@leonardmclaughlin8506]

Great video , had a chuckle remembering Bill Cosby's version of Noah on his records. I always enjoy watching your youtube channel. Lenny

[@mquiobeable]

Awesome video, thank you for making it

[@DowieFarm]

Excellent video!

[@roberthothan227]

Thanks for a great video. The infrared scan was the icing on the cake ! I’d love to see the difference of heat between a bad bearing and a new bearing.

[@jocool562]

Usually you dont get to cuz the bearing explodes all over in side the hub and comes out in pieces 😂

[@dennisgumm7078]

Glad I took a few minutes to get some information. Just getting ready to do a light flatbed trailer w/brakes and never-lube axles. Confidence oozing out of me all of a sudden

[@royroddey]

excellent video and lesson! many thanks. now i get to check my own...

[@CalvinsCorner72]

Dam that’s cool. Thanks buddy I guess it’s time to check mine.

[@anothermealcastironchefftr6039]

Thank you for the video big help

[@Toto-is8ci]

You kitty really starts paying attention at 13:09. Loves to see that grease coming out the back!

[@JaromMcallister]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@tracyvetter7468]

That 2 second on/off tool sounds pretty neat. Never played with electric brakes before. Great video!

[@MyRVWorks]

You can have a look at my reply to Robb Ward below regarding the 2-sec on/off tool. I have made several of my own test tools - simplest is that 10' patch cable you see in so many of my video's... Love that thing. Cheers, Darren

[@davemayall7247]

Good video! Brake drum in my book.

[@rv10flyer84]

Drum. You got it at 13:30. They manufacture slide hammers that pull those seals out. Pretty handy. Good job on the video.

[@JoseOrtiz-zb7gq]

Awesome. Thanks for the information.

[@LordFalconsword]

Simply a great video.

[@barracuda253]

Great explanation video sir.

[@RHP2024]

Thanks for you teaching

[@ragingsniper777]

Amazing video. Nicely well said for my subscribe!

[@brookside5045]

Very detailed video thank you.

[@joebob7344]

Good video, I’ve see a few others similar how to brake videos. This one is superior.

[@KRTube75]

I'm here because I bought a popup camper from the original owner. It's time for new tires. The first wheel came off no problem. The studs on the second wheel were extremely difficult to remove. It soon became apparent why. The wheel holes were larger than they were supposed to be and the studs were threadless on the inside. I remove the drum and I could see where it dragged on the road and was ground down. It's clear that the previous owner lost a wheel while driving. New studs on order. Didn't seem to be an issue when I drove it home 800 miles when I bought it 9 years ago.

[@scottsmith7080]

Sir, I’ve worked on a lot of trailers, and watched a lot of you tube folks’ videos on this topic, and you have the best video I’ve seen on the subject. Clear instructions and explanations as you go. Very well done. Scott

[@mebeard8]

Coming from a 12 year rv tech, do not follow this guy at all. Terrible.

[@asuarezjd]

Yep, I give him credit for the gadget and having the idea or knowing how it works, but lacks technical/mechanical knowledge; the jack lifting the axle was the first clue because it is a big no-no, the bearings should have been new with new drums, but if there was a need, then not reused without degreasing first and repacking manually to make sure they get it. I was horrified with all the grease on the end of the spindle before sliding the drum (with only one bearing), which can end up in the brakes. There is no need to do that since the spindle will grease up when added AFTER the drum with the rear seal is in place. And, they needed to be tighten and then backed 1/4 turn. Anyhow, any DIY guy out there has a responsibility to research from different youtubers and brainstorm, especially because he make sit clear he is not a mechanic when he stressed he did not know the name of the drums (asked for those of us who know to correct him) and decided to call them rotors, so people show know to verify and still consult their books and friends, but this can be a tad scary if it heats and breaks on the road.

[@RobertoSantiagoRodriguez]

Great video, thanks. It is a brake drum.

[@MrCarmelo1959]

Awesome video sir I have the same brake assembly and now I know I can do it thanks

[@fraleymk]

Very helpful. Gonna watch more of yours!

[@MyRVWorks]

Hi Michael, We are so glad to hear that our videos were able to help you! If you would like to support us please consider becoming an "RV Community Supporter" on our Patreon site: www.patreon.com/myrvworks Happy Camping, My RV Works Media Team

[@MrSwampy52]

Good job on the brake assembly and wheel bearing re-packing. You know, a lot of viewers are not going to have the bearing packing tool, it would have been good to also show how to repack the bearing by hand without the tool. I was taught by my dad back in the 1960's and it has proven quite useful over the years. Thanks for the video tech tip.

[@keithpayne8943]

Great video. Thanks

[@northwest_TandA]

The easiest way to get the inner seal off is pull the first bearing and washer out then screw the castle nut back on a few threads then just yank the drum off with slight downward pressure. your inner bearing and seal should be sitting there on spindle. by the way love your videos, they have helped me so much in understanding how my RV works.

[@MyRVWorks]

Okay, that is a cool trick. Can't wait to get another bearing job to try it out. Thanks for the tip.

[@rodgraff1782]

Manufactures say not to use the inner bearing as a removal tool. Too easy to damage the bearing. Bad advice.

[@rodgraff1782]

That’s a good trick, as long as you plan on replacing the bearing you just trashed.

[@MyRVWorks]

@@rodgraff1782 Noted!!! My background is more in electrical and not mechanical so I appreciate all the feedback on this type of stuff.

[@johngillman2615]

When I was younger,these types of bearings were common front and back,I have never seen a zero fitting like that and pressurizing the grease inside the hub,all we ever did was clean the bearings and repack them.and the old trick,putting the outer nut back on to remove inner seal always worked well for me,you can even reuse the seal and bearings,as it won't hurt it.i don't see a reason to do anything but pack your bearings, especially if your checking them every year,good video Darren,we appreciate the help out here.

[@HaleyFamily]

NICE WORK!! We were going to make a video about repacking and checking the brakes but you did an amazing job. I think I will just like and share your video!!!

[@MyRVWorks]

Hey thanks for that! If I were to do it again I would take some of these comments others have made and integrate that into my video. My strength is on electrical and diagnosis. Not so much on the mechanical. So I should have replace the bearings when I put on new drums, that would be something I would have done different. Thanks for the comment. And happy camping.

[@thomasgargano8813]

Darren,thank you so much for this informant video, this will be my first drum work on my 6,000 lb trailer. I’ll be able to do this job with a great confidence. Thank you for Sharing your knowledge.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🍺🍺🍺🍺🍻🍻🍻🍻☮️☮️

[@jessicacrawford3234]

It's called the brake drum. lol Interesting video, I have to do this in a few days so thanks for your content.

[@DieselDave]

Very informative. Thanks mate. 😊