Mixed fortune

HABBERDABBER · 05-24-2023, 06:08 PM

I started to do today a wheel bearing grease repacking, brake inspection and clean up on my 2016 E19. I've done this servicing on boat trailers and my old
Casita in the past, so nothing terribly new to me. The grease seal was incredibly difficult to remove. Brass drifts, a grease seal removal tool...all for naught. I had to cold chisel the seal to get it off, damaging the inner bearing completely.

Any advice? I used a heat gun at the end on the brake drum area. There is some sort of sealant where the grease seal seats. Ridiculous time and effort spent.

I have a new bearing set and the races appear just fine.
Is it required or highly advisable to replace the races along with the new bearings?

Anyone else have trouble removing the grease seal?

Advice? 3 wheels to go, I fear.

That's the bad fortune.

In the course of this work and on that wheel, I found some scary delamination at the outer edge of the 2014 vintage tire. That's the good fortune. New tires getting put on this week.
Dumb luck that tire didn't blow.

Suregrip391 · 05-24-2023, 06:29 PM

Always new races with new bearings! Used races are worn to the old bearings.

Tires are only good for what, maybe 5-6 years now (even if they look new) Rubber degrades and need to be replaced! You were lucky riding on those 2014’s!

I’m happy you saw that and are getting new, safe travels!

brroberts · 05-24-2023, 10:43 PM

I tore mine down on my 2021 the first time recently and the seals were the hardest I ever fad to deal with also.

SRS · 05-25-2023, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

I started to do today a wheel bearing grease repacking, brake inspection and clean up on my 2016 E19. I've done this servicing on boat trailers and my old
Casita in the past, so nothing terribly new to me. The grease seal was incredibly difficult to remove. Brass drifts, a grease seal removal tool...all for naught. I had to cold chisel the seal to get it off, damaging the inner bearing completely.

Any advice? I used a heat gun at the end on the brake drum area. There is some sort of sealant where the grease seal seats. Ridiculous time and effort spent.

I have a new bearing set and the races appear just fine.
Is it required or highly advisable to replace the races along with the new bearings?

Anyone else have trouble removing the grease seal?

Advice? 3 wheels to go, I fear.

That's the bad fortune.

In the course of this work and on that wheel, I found some scary delamination at the outer edge of the 2014 vintage tire. That's the good fortune. New tires getting put on this week.
Dumb luck that tire didn't blow.

Agree with Suregrip391, always replace the race when installing new bearings.

HABBERDABBER · 05-25-2023, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brroberts

I tore mine down on my 2021 the first time recently and the seals were the hardest I ever fad to deal with also.

Mine was next to impossible to remove. Completely ruined the inner bearing. Any special methods you used?

Rockhead · 05-25-2023, 08:18 AM

I use this tool and the seals pop right out

brroberts · 05-25-2023, 08:27 AM

I used a tire tool as a pry bar to get it started, then a piece of hardwood dowel to knock it out without messing up the bearing. It took patience, or as you discovered, a bearing and race. I didn’t want to hit the bearing too hard as you know. After running them, the bearings are running cool.

**GinoandLinda** · 05-25-2023, 08:41 AM

Ditto that. Right tools for the right job. Invest in good seal pullers and also a good seal driver kit. I believe you can get yourself set up nicely including a grease gun and bearing packer for about $200 which is about 1/3 what a dealer will charge for a tandem axle bearing pack and brake inspection.

Iowa Dave · 05-25-2023, 09:40 AM

Tom
Sent you a PM
Iowa Dave

Rossue · 05-25-2023, 10:05 AM

First time was tough as well- and that was only six months after pickup. I used the end of a ball peen hammer- which of course damaged the wood. Also used a brass drift punch.

Have probably done it 6-7 times since and the hooked seal puller works easy. Not sure if Dexter uses a little Permatex on the first ones or not- sure seems like it.

An Auto Bearing Race Seal Driver helps reinstall the new seal evenly.

https://www.amazon.com/TruePower-20-...saAu7aEALw_wcB

HABBERDABBER · 05-25-2023, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockhead

I use this tool and the seals pop right out

I tried that same tool. Nada. I had to use a cold chisel and a heat gun to get it out. Heat seems to be the ticket. There is plenty of evidence on the removed grease seal perimeter that some sealant/adhesive is used. I never ran into that one before.

I am replacing the races, but eTrailer has a piece and says that if they are in good condition, it is not required. A recommended practice, definitely.

Thanks to all for your input.

brroberts · 05-25-2023, 01:03 PM

I use a block of 2x4 to set the seals. I do have a race removal and install tool. I’ve never needed a seal puller until now, and used what I had. I’ll probably buy a seal puller for this trailer.

Mike G · 05-25-2023, 04:22 PM

Sounds as if it's a lot like pulling teeth!

I've never seen a seal come out with difficulty, but my experience is rather limited.

HABBERDABBER · 05-26-2023, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike G

Sounds as if it's a lot like pulling teeth!

I've never seen a seal come out with difficulty, but my experience is rather limited.

This was unexpected, glued on grease seals.
Getting new tires put on right now.
For reference, a heat gun might be necessary for 2016 vintage Dexter hubs.

**GinoandLinda** · 05-26-2023, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

This was unexpected, glued on grease seals.
Getting new tires put on right now.
For reference, a heat gun might be necessary for 2016 vintage Dexter hubs.

You can use one of these seal pullers as well https://www.jbtools.com/old-forge-70...-seal-puller/?

Designed to be struck upwards with a mallet. Makes a mess of the seal but removes it in short order. You should never plan on reusing a seal anyway

HABBERDABBER · 05-26-2023, 08:03 PM

Nada. Nothing. Maybe your suggested seal puller would work. A heat gun and cold chisel were what got it out. I'm going with heat to soften the sealant/adhesive next time. 400F temp nukes most any adhesive. I beat, pounded and whacked the hell out the inner bearing and grease seal. Destroyed the inner bearing. I used all manner of mechanical advantage configurations with pry bars, etc. It didn't move a budge. Maybe voodoo, but when I heated the area, it released.
Thus, my hard earned, misbegotten experience and advice.
I never re-used a grease seal, so no issue there. But I'm telling you, it was glued in. I never came across that before.

brroberts · 05-26-2023, 11:50 PM

Mine had only a bit of sealant on them. I thought I’d ruin a bearing getting one of them out, but I managed to avoid it. My Dexter seals recommended some sealant on the new seals for install which I definitely did not do. Therefore, I hope at next seal removal, it’s easier.

Suregrip391 · 05-27-2023, 05:56 AM

Maybe they are glued in by dexter to allow for the easy lube system of pumping in grease while rotating the tire so that the seal don’t blow out? That seems to be everyone’s concern…the seal blowing out.

HABBERDABBER · 05-27-2023, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suregrip391

Maybe they are glued in by dexter to allow for the easy lube system of pumping in grease while rotating the tire so that the seal don’t blow out? That seems to be everyone’s concern…the seal blowing out.

It's a friction fit otherwise, adequate as long as you don't overdo it with the grease gun.

**MrLynn** · 05-27-2023, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suregrip391

Maybe they are glued in by dexter to allow for the easy lube system of pumping in grease while rotating the tire so that the seal don’t blow out? That seems to be everyone’s concern…the seal blowing out.

So none of you are using the EZ-lube feature? I just did mine, and once I got the hang of it, seemed to work well.

Is there any limit on how many years I can just EZ-lube the bearings?

You may also like: