Has anyone done their r-pod's wheel bearings?

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General wisdom is to do your bearings annually.  The problem lies more with the amount of time your trailer sits idle as opposed to the number of miles its hauled down the road.  Most dealers offer bearing and brake service for an (un)reasonable* price.
*Seriously, tho, I'd expect a mechanic in a shop to take 90 minutes to do the bearings and adjust the brakes.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a "reasonable" price for the job to be in the $120-$150 range.  Canadian dollars, of course 

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Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Topic: Has anyone done their r-pod's wheel bearings? Posted: 09 Mar 2010 at 12:47pm
	General wisdom is to do your bearings annually. The problem lies more with the amount of time your trailer sits idle as opposed to the number of miles its hauled down the road. Most dealers offer bearing and brake service for an (un)reasonable* price. *Seriously, tho, I'd expect a mechanic in a shop to take 90 minutes to do the bearings and adjust the brakes. I wouldn't be surprised to see a "reasonable" price for the job to be in the $120-$150 range. Canadian dollars, of course

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 09 Mar 2010 at 1:13pm
	Actually the average Joe can do this in less than an hour, as long as Joe doesn't mind getting their hands greasy. Its truly an easy job. I had the same jitters at first, but then a mechanic friend of mine walked me through it and I wondered why I was so worried. That said, while oil changes and brake pads are also pretty easy I find myself taking the cars in for those jobs more and more often... Oh, and while the usual recommendation is to do the bearings every year, personally I do it every 3 or so. We do 7 or 8 trips per year, most less than an hour away and one 3 hours away. The axle doesn't get submerged like a boat trailer. I feel "once a year" is much like changing the oil every 3000 miles on your car - materials and design have improved and where it might have been prudent to do both as recommended 30 years ago, it isn't now.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Wyn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Jan 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 24 May 2010 at 4:54pm
	Being 'old fashioned', I service the trailer bearings every spring before we start camping. The manual provided by the axle manufacturer even states that once a year the bearings should be cleaned, inspected and lubed, the zerk fitting is only for interim lube during the towing season. Personnally I have never lubed the bearings using the zerk fitting, I only lube them when I do the annual spring repacking. The seal was available from NAPA, if anyone wants the seal part number, post a reply to this post and I will pull my file and let you know the number. The only difference in re-packing the pod bearings from other campers I have owned is the use of a retaining clip for the castle nut instead of a cotter pin, the tabs on the retaining clip had to be bent away from the castle nut slots to permit the nut to be unscrewed. Not sure how many times the clip can be re-used, but I will probably by a new set for next year.
	Wyn Hudson Valley, NY 171

secretbard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Location: Budd Lake, NJ Online Status: Offline Posts: 195	Posted: 26 Jun 2011 at 6:55am
	Never got a clear answer here. I see numerous sizes of bearings and seals on etrailer. What size bearing and seals does the Rpod have? My Pod is a 2010, so I doubt I will have to replace any seals or bearings, but I'd really like to keep spares in the parts kit I have in the pass-through storage compartment along with the grease. Oh yeah, I plan on grease packing those puppies this weekend and once a year. Seeing the videos on etrailer, it looks like something I could definitely do myself.
	2010 Rpod 172 :) 2004 Chevy Trailblazer

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 26 Jun 2011 at 7:58am
	These are the bearing seals you're looking for (link). 3500 pound axles have a standard size, its much easier than I originally thought to find seals. Make sure that you get the double-lipped seals. If you're inspecting your bearings, you will need new bearing seals. The seals are next to impossible to get out without destroying.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

secretbard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Location: Budd Lake, NJ Online Status: Offline Posts: 195	Posted: 26 Jun 2011 at 8:10am
	They have two different bearings, one for 2.95, the other for 3.75. Which one will work? Thanks again for the info.
	2010 Rpod 172 :) 2004 Chevy Trailblazer

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 26 Jun 2011 at 10:40am
	You'll need one of each. The rear bearing is larger than the front. If your bearings need replacement, have a good look at the races too. And as far as races, thats where the amount of effort to get them out (and new ones in) is where I take it to a professional. Personally, I plan on having the bearings and races replaced by my dealership at the 5-year mark when I buy new tires.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

secretbard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Location: Budd Lake, NJ Online Status: Offline Posts: 195	Posted: 26 Jun 2011 at 6:58pm
	Thanks for the valuable info.
	2010 Rpod 172 :) 2004 Chevy Trailblazer

secretbard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Location: Budd Lake, NJ Online Status: Offline Posts: 195	Posted: 01 Jul 2011 at 4:44pm
	I just greased the wheel bearings taking care to follow the on-line instructional videos found on etrailer. I have to say, it was a project for the first wheel because I'm new to this, but once I did the first wheel, the second wheel went quick. I must say, this is probably the first time that wheel and hub have ever come off that trailer. Evidence? Well, the breaks had cobwebs inside and the breaks were very hard to move, nearly fused to the back metal from rust. I had to take a little grease and coat where all the metal met metal behind the breaks. Once that was done, the breaks moved back and forth very smoothly. I can't imagine that was very safe. I have to say, the learning curve was long and arduous for me (me with the high IQ), but I really enjoyed doing my own work on the Pod. There is a sense of personal accomplishment. Hey, if any of you want to do work on your bearings and have questions, ask me and I'll try to help.
	2010 Rpod 172 :) 2004 Chevy Trailblazer