Wheel Bearing North Point

[schiguy]

My 2016 North Point has the Lippert 7000 lb axles on it. Do they have an EZ lube on them or do I need to grease the bearings the old fashioned way?


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[Mopar_Earl]

Probably has ez lube. But I don't recommend using it is my opinion. You are pushing the bad grease out of the inner bearing into the center cavity where some of it remains and you push that old grease into the outer bearing. Also you can blow the seals out and not know it. Also if you old school it you can inspect the brakes and know if the seals are bad. I highly recommend replacing the china bearings and seals with US made or high quality imports.

But if you must, the wheel needs to be off the ground and you need to spin the wheel was you pump grease into it. You must use a manual grease gun as a power grease gun can blow out the seals.


Earl

[klassic]

What Earl says!
Three of us here right now have grease on our brakes. Don't know why, none of use have greased the bearings yet.
But reading what Earl posted in another thread about the seals, I sure won't be "easy" lubing mine after my dealer replaces all my brakes.
The dealer even said they only grease the old fashion way and use quality seals after.

[Mopar_Earl]

Always, I repeat always install new good quality seals that are double lip and spring loaded.
Use a high quality full synthetic grease rated for high temperature and wheel bearings. Do not mix greases, always remove and clean all of the old grease out when changing to a different grease or if you don't know what grease it has in it.


Earl

[schiguy]

Great advice. Any grease and seal brand recommendations in particular that you advise?

[Mopar_Earl]

I prefer Timkin bearings as they are still US made (at least they were when I last bought bearings). Seals, any brand as long as they aren't china and they are double lip and spring loaded. Import seals and bearings are good as long as they aren't china.

I don't hand pack, I use a bearing packer. It's cleaner and faster than hand packing.


Earl

[MadJoker TX]

Need to have this done on my new 377, getting nervous after hearing about grease on the brakes. Getting even more nervous since the last time I had bearings repacked on my previous unit, I lost an entire wheel st 5:30am in the pitch black on the way to Disney world and had no clue until someone flagged me down. Dealer apparently did not tighten all the lugs on that wheel.

[TWP723]

I like Mobil1 bearing grease or Royal Purple. I find, if you don't pump the gun like you're putting out a fire, your seals should stay intact. Doesn't hurt to occasionally check, just to make sure. I have a 40:1 pump gun. Which means it takes 40 pumps to distribute 1oz. of grease. Like I said, unless you're pumping like a wild banshee, you shouldn't blow the seals out the back. Plan on taking some time to do all the bearings. It takes a while at 40 pumps an ounce. Pump the grease until it comes out the front. It should push some of the old grease out as well, but don't expect it.

[jasum]

Originally Posted by TWP723

I like Mobil1 bearing grease or Royal Purple. I find, if you don't pump the gun like you're putting out a fire, your seals should stay intact. Doesn't hurt to occasionally check, just to make sure. I have a 40:1 pump gun. Which means it takes 40 pumps to distribute 1oz. of grease. Like I said, unless you're pumping like a wild banshee, you shouldn't blow the seals out the back. Plan on taking some time to do all the bearings. It takes a while at 40 pumps an ounce. Pump the grease until it comes out the front. It should push some of the old grease out as well, but don't expect it.

What they are trying to tell you is they did NOT use quality seals............

[shadester]

Originally Posted by schiguy

My 2016 North Point has the Lippert 7000 lb axles on it. Do they have an EZ lube on them or do I need to grease the bearings the old fashioned way?


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I personally only use EZ lube on my boat trailers, they're underwater a lot and if grease leaks out ,oh well, no brakes. I had a car tow dolly with the ez lube hubs. The inner spring was fully extending inward. I only pumped enough grease to push the inner cup a touch outward and grease was all over the inner wheels after using it. Seals were probably dried out but that isn't my point. I think the old fashioned way is the way to go as the don't overload your hubs with unnecessary grease.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by jasum

What they are trying to tell you is they did NOT use quality seals............

Ahhhh...I see. Said the blind man.

[schiguy]

I like the "EZ" way, but safe old fashioned way seems a lot safer. Looks like I have some work ahead of me.


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[schiguy]

Spent about 3 hours and a roll of paper towels but I finally got them done. Hands down the messiest vehicle maintenance job I have done in a while.


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[2naEagle]

I have used the EZ without a problem before. I do it on a good hot summer day. Wheels off the ground. Go slow and spin the wheel.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Mopar_Earl

I prefer Timkin bearings as they are still US made (at least they were when I last bought bearings). Seals, any brand as long as they aren't china and they are double lip and spring loaded. Import seals and bearings are good as long as they aren't china.

I don't hand pack, I use a bearing packer. It's cleaner and faster than hand packing.


Earl

Yes on Timken! I just bought some spares from Amazon. The description said China was country of origin. I took the leap and when received I checked and they're all stamped "made in USA".
My FIL would only buy Timken and he started me down that trail 43 years ago.