How to change wheel bearings  on your Caravan/Camper Trailer

G’day. Some folks have asked me how to change the wheel bearings on a trailer, so I thought I’d explain in a simple way. First of all you’d need to know which bearings are fitted and there are three different types:- Ford, Holden and Landcruiser, theses are typically the same fitted by these manufacturers for the front hubs on these makes. If you’re not sure, then follow the procedures and I’ll explain how to determine which ones are fitted.

Ok, now that’s established let’s get down and dirty. Firstly jack up your trailer and place jackstands underneath for safety. If you have a hubcap, then remove it and then remove the wheel. Now, you’ll see a cap in the center of the hub, this is your bearing cap and you need to remove this, and you can do this by gently tapping it off with a small hammer (NO don’t belt it).

Under the bearing cap will be a nut with a split-pin through it, remove the split-pin with a pair of pliers, just bend it straight and pull up or down depending on which way they were fitted. Now undo the castle nut with a shifter. The hub can now be removed by pulling it towards you. Once removed you can wipe off the grease from the axle stub or spindle with a rag. Place your hub on your workbench and remove the bearings, you’ll notice on the inner side there is a seal, just pull it out and the inner bearing should come out easily.

If the bearings are somewhat resistant to removal then place the hub on a block of wood and tap out the bearings using a hammer and a drift or an old bolt (bit rough, but does work). Once the bearings are out give them a clean and on the sides there are numbers, these are part numbers and you can use these to find out which bearings are fitted just by taking them to a trailer shop, bearing supplier or auto supplier. Give the inner hub a clean with degreaser or even good old ‘Kero’. Give the hub a good wipe and dry with a clean rag.

Time to reassemble. Grease the new bearings with a quality bearing grease and place them into the hub, no mistakes here as the inner bearing is larger than the outer. Put the new dust seal in and whack a good quantity in the hub between the bearings. Smear some grease on the axle stub and slide the hub back on. Do up the nut by hand at first, then tighten but not to tight, just check the tightness by spinning the hub, if it feels tight back off and try again. The notches on the nut should line up with the split-pin hole and then you can put in your new split-pin, making sure you bend it like the way it was when you removed it.

Place the bearing cap back on and then the wheel, lower your trailer and you’re set to go, oh and it would be a good idea to do the other side before heading off, because if one side needs replacing then the other would do too.

Hope that helps everyone.

Michael van de Velden