Grease Packed Wheel Bearings On Trailer

[davidrmodel]

I have to tow an old semi trailer approx. 150 miles. Its wheel bearings are packed with grease. The grease is old and hard. Trailer has been off the road for 10+ years. I want to put some fresh grease in the wheel bearings before hitting the road, to reduce chances of problems en route. What shall I do that can be done without too much fuss?

Thanks!

[Speed]

I don't know if there's an actual easy way to do this;if you have the tools for it,obviously it's best to just pull it apart and pack the bearings,but in the past,on smaller hubs,I've gotten away with getting a "needle" fitting for my grease gun and pumping grease in between the bearings on the outer,and stabbing a hole on the wall of the grease seal to feed grease through to fill the inner bearing. It isn't the best way,but sometimes ya have to go with what you have at hand. I've also just pulled the drums/hubs off the spindles and added the grease without disassembling the bearings. Doing it this way,you're taking it on faith that the bearings are all good. I'm thinking once the old grease gets warmed it'll soften up and flow a little too. If you're not running 75 down the road for 150 miles,with a little fresh grease added in,it should be fine.

Speed

[NoClueJoe66]

The needle fitting for your grease gun should work fine, but i would pull the trailer a little ways first before I pumped grease in it. If the old grease is hard the new grease can only go far without stopping. I'd pull it a couple miles then pump some into it. Or pull it apart to repack them. Good Luck

[David]

Stop an feel the hubs to see if they are getting hot.