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Greasing the wheel bearing?

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Maintenance Issues, Tips and Tricks
Forum Description: Have you ever wondered how something works? Found a good way to do something? Discovered the hard way what NOT to do? Share them here.
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2525
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 10:14am
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Topic: Greasing the wheel bearing?
Posted By: Ratdog
Subject: Greasing the wheel bearing?
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 12:20pm
When shooting grease into the Zerk fittings, how much new grease needs to be pumped in there?
 
I figured I'd know when to stop when I didn't see any more old grease but I've pumped the gun over a dozen times and I'm still seeing the old grease (charcoal colored, not red like the new grease).
 
Thanks,
-- Steve


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)



Replies:
Posted By: Lark
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 3:15pm


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Lark


Posted By: Lark
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 3:29pm
You want to be carefull about over greaseing.  If you damage the inner seal you will get grease on your brakes.  A boat trailer wheels shoul be removed every year and all grease replaced. With a RV I think that is overkill.  You need to use a high pressure high temp lithium grease such as mobilgreaseHP.   If the grease looks good when you take the rubber cap off,  I would just give it 4 or 5 pumps.  If you see any water or rust,  pull the wheel and hub off, inspect and wash out bearing and repack, replace the seals.  They are a high quality hub and axle and should give many years of service with periodic inspections.  Remember, when lifting the trailer always lift on the frame, never the axle.
Lark  171 F 150 

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Lark


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 3:58pm
Thanks, Lark.
 
How do you tell if you've damaged the inner seal? Would you see grease coming out somewhere other than around the Zerk fitting when you're pumping in the grease?
 
There was no water or rust. The old grease was dark grey, almost black. The grease I'm putting in is red (Pennzoil 707L Lithium NLGI grade 2). I added that a couple times last year (2 pumps each time). Does it turn black in use or maybe what I see coming out is the original grease that was put in at the factory?
 
I tend to think all is fine and that I should just button up this side and go so the other wheel the same way I did this one.
 
Thanks,
Steve


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: HerbL
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 7:34pm
I'm no expert, but I will tell you what I did. I removed the wheel (as opposed to removing the hubcap) and added Pennzoil Premium Wheel Bearing grease (907L red) through the Zerk fitting until the black  grease coming out showed some red. I pumped slowly as to not build up too much pressure. It took quite a few pumps before I saw red.Then wipe off any excess and refit the rubber gasket.
We just finished a 5,000 trip with no problems.
I also waited for a fairly warm day to do this as the grease flows easier when not real cold. I saw Sandpiper do a demo and maybe he can add to or clarify the process.


Posted By: tsunami
Date Posted: 14 May 2011 at 11:30am
My POD has the 'standard' Dexter E-Z-Lube hub.  I want to 'top-off' the hubs with grease.  The Dexter instructions state that you should: 'remove the rubber plug and then use your grease gun on the Zerk fitting'.
My question is "Do you have to remove the wheel to get at the hub to remove the rubber plug?"



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tsunami


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 14 May 2011 at 12:01pm
Originally posted by tsunami tsunami wrote:

My POD has the 'standard' Dexter E-Z-Lube hub.  I want to 'top-off' the hubs with grease.  The Dexter instructions state that you should: 'remove the rubber plug and then use your grease gun on the Zerk fitting'.
My question is "Do you have to remove the wheel to get at the hub to remove the rubber plug?"

 
No, just pop off the chrome plastic cap and you'll see the rubber plug.
 
-- Steve
 


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: tsunami
Date Posted: 22 May 2011 at 10:35am
A follow-up question about grease.  The Dexter-Lippert Manual lists several recommended brands of high-pressure grease.Some brands are easier to find around here than others.  Would I damage the bearings if I used a different brand when re-greasing as long as I use one of the mentioned brands?

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tsunami


Posted By: Lark
Date Posted: 22 May 2011 at 12:52pm
I don't think that's a problem.  Just make sure it meets specs for temperature pressure etc.
 
Lark 171 F-150


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Lark



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