Never again

[Camp Winican]

A couple of years ago I decided to go the easy route use the EZLube option to insert new grease on my wheel bearings. Today I decided to repack by hand. It has been a number of years since I have done this (on a previous trailer) and felt confident I could do it again.
I found a mess when I got the hub off - grease all over the brake parts. The drum and pads look clean. Did I blow the seal when I did this 2 years ago?
Anyway, I cleaned that all up but had a very difficult time getting the rear seal out using the large screwdriver method (prying it out.) Along the way this round spring appeared while I was prying out the seal (pic attached - I hope, first time trying this).
I don't know what this part is, can anyone tell me?

[Isaacs]

That spring is part of the seal you were trying to remove. It holds the rubber against the spindle. Are you sure you got the whole thing out?

[Sundancer330]

It sounds like you blew grease past the seal if its all over inside. The picture is the spring that fits on the inner lip of the double lip grease seal, the main part of the seal is about 1/4" wide and fits pretty tight in the hub make sure you pry it out before trying to install a new seal.

[Camp Winican]

Thank-you for the replies - you gave me the answer I was hoping for. Yes, I do have the entire seal removed, but that first one was such a struggle I must have dislodged that spring in the process. Glad to know I don't need it anyway.
I removed another hub and no grease on the brake parts like the first one so yeah, grease must have blown past the seal and kindly coated all the inner workings on the first one. I found a nice breaker bar that works much better for removing the seal so I didn't have to struggle on the second one.
The whole reason for starting this was to get a seal out so I could identify the part number. Now I can get my parts and continue as time permits.
Is it OK to soak the bearings in paint thinner to clean off the old grease? Or is there a better product that I should use for this?

[Bucko06]

Just wipe the old grease out with a clean rag. A small amount of residual grease in the bearing doesn't make a difference. Don't start mixing cleaners in there

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by Camp Winican

Thank-you for the replies - you gave me the answer I was hoping for. Yes, I do have the entire seal removed, but that first one was such a struggle I must have dislodged that spring in the process. Glad to know I don't need it anyway.
I removed another hub and no grease on the brake parts like the first one so yeah, grease must have blown past the seal and kindly coated all the inner workings on the first one. I found a nice breaker bar that works much better for removing the seal so I didn't have to struggle on the second one.
The whole reason for starting this was to get a seal out so I could identify the part number. Now I can get my parts and continue as time permits.
Is it OK to soak the bearings in paint thinner to clean off the old grease? Or is there a better product that I should use for this?

I always use spray brake clean to get them nice and clean, fast and simple, some will use gasoline. I read after cleaning its a good idea to wash the bearing in soap and water since some cleaners will leave a residue coating on the bearings and the grease will not adhere properly, let them air dry, don't blow with compressed air. And make sure you use the proper grease, the specs for the grease are in your Dexter book that came with the trailer, there are several to choose from.

[schrederman]

It is possible that the seal just wore out and the grease got in that way. It wouldn't be the first time a seal gave it up. I've seen quite a few in my younger life when I was wrenching.

[Marcm157]

If you are going to be doing your own bearings and seals you may want to pick up a seal puller. Not absolutely necessary but does make the job easier...
https://www.jbtoolsales.com/lisle-56...JUcaAk338P8HAQ

[Isaacs]

I've changed a lot of trailer seals and bearings--my old boat trailer used to eat them up like candy. I always left the wheel/tire attached to the hub, then removed the hub from the spindle. I placed the side with the seal toward the ground and used a big screw driver and a hammer to tap the seal out from the opposite side. The same thing works for the bearing races. Leaving the wheel on keeps it from skidding around while you're whacking on it.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

If you are going to be doing your own bearings and seals you may want to pick up a seal puller. Not absolutely necessary but does make the job easier...
https://www.jbtoolsales.com/lisle-56...JUcaAk338P8HAQ

X2 on the seal puller. And if you have a piece of pipe to use as a breaker bar on the handle they pop out quite easily. Another tool that makes this job easy is a race and seal driver set like this:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories.../PTW83020.html