Is A Small Amount Of Grease Around Hub & Rim A Major Problem

Question:

possible cause, trailer is a Fleetwood Allegiance with brakes. Major problem?

asked by: Gordon O

Expert Reply:

In this case I recommend you to pull the hub and make sure nothing looks damaged on the hub or the seals. If it's just a small amount it may not be a large problem. But if it is a cracked hub that can lead to a big problem.

If the grease is on the back of the wheels, then the grease seals have failed and need to be replaced. The fact that the grease is leaking out could mean that the seal may not be the correct size for the hub.

What is the diameter of the hub bore where the grease seal fits into the hub? This measurement has to be as accurate as possible so I recommend using calipers such as # PTW80157. I have a picture attached to show you where to measure.

If you are using bearing protectors, over filling the hub with grease will cause grease to be pushed past the seal at the back of the hub. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions for properly filling your hubs with the bearing protectors. We have a video which shows how to fill a hub with the Bearing Buddy Grease Caps, item # BB1980A, installed, see link.

expert reply by: Timothy G