Repacking wheel bearings

Transit · Feb 7, 2011

There are a number of repacking tools on the market, easy to use, see JC Whitney.

Mahindra One · Feb 7, 2011

I bought an old stock trailer and drove it to the ranch (about 175 mi). On the final stretch, a dirt road, about 2 miles from my place, one of the wheels (tire, wheel and hub) fell off due to a failed cotter pin. I go along with the replacing advice. If that wheel had come off on the interstate it could have been a very scary situation.

Diamondpilot · Feb 7, 2011

RoMad said:
I have never paid to pack wheel bearings, but it is very easy to do. I would think ~$20 labor for both sides would be a fair price at a small mechanics shop. You will probably need to buy a set of inner dust seals as they need to be removed for the repacking. They are pretty inexpensive.
What to watch for; When you drop it off tell them if you need any parts you want the old ones, that way they will not be able to charge you for something they didn't do.
If you don't have an independant mechanic you trust, ask your friends or neighbors who they use. Most people know someone they trust.
good luck.

I do this type of work and if you are finding someone to do it for $20 you better get everything you own down there and get it done. I charge $25 per wheel and am the cheapest around.

Thats includes cleaning the bearing and inspecting it. About 1 hour per axle.

I always replace the cotter pin and the inner seal.

Chris

wvpolekat · Feb 7, 2011

Craig Clayton said:
It is against the law for a mechanic to reuse a cotter pin.

Must be a Canadian thing. I would be shocked if there were any laws even remotely like this in the US other than relating to removing emissions equipment.

DOT here would also have no jurisdiction to write a ticket to an auto repair shop. Not sure who would without a lawsuit from a customer. Unless it was an emissions or state inspection issue.