2017 T@G XL Wheel Lube Plan

TypingInTheWoods · June 1

Hi, We bought a 2017 T@G XL Outback last year and drove it about 5k. The previous owner had it in a garage for about four years and never used it. He bought it from a dealer used. We have not lubed or repacked the wheel bearings and just realized we should do that prior to another cross country trip in a few weeks. No one seems to be available locally to do it in the time we have so my plan is to put new grease in (it has the EZ Lube system). Then I will buy the replacement seals and bearings and keep with me in case we have trouble. Maybe I will attempt the full repack when we get to our destination. Does that sound like a reasonable plan or am I tempting fate by not doing the full repack?

Jms · June 1

Have you felt the hubs during your trips to see how hot they feel? Sitting four years without moving is a long time and hard on the bearings. And the grease is pretty old now too. Do the brakes still work? If you do re-grease and head out, I would stop often and check the temperature of the hubs (by thermometer if you have one but by feel if not). I would also be very concerned if the tires are original. Those tires would be about 10 years old now since date of manufacture - way past the recommended lifetime of a tire. And sitting for four years they may have developed flat spots. A blowout or bearing failure could be catastrophic on the highway (we've all seen photos), so I would replace the bearings, seals, and grease before you head out on this trip so as to not tempt fate. And the tires too if they haven't been replaced. And have the brakes checked. A few weeks before departure should give enough time to have this work done. I'd skip the RV shops and find a local reputable tire shop with a lot of trailer experience. We're lucky we have one nearby. We're having new tires put on ourselves in a couple of days. Good luck and happy camping!

TypingInTheWoods · June 6

Thanks for the advice. So far no tire shops willing to do the wheel bearings. I’ll have the tires looked at but they seem good. It’s an outback and the treads are pretty beefy. I did check the hubs regularly by hand and they were fine. I did buy a thermometer tho.

ScottG · June 12

I regrease my 2015 T@B every year using the EZ-Lube. I've only once disassembled the hubs and repacked manually--maybe about six or seven years in--and everything looked fine. It's probably time to get eyes on those bearings again, but my point being that the EZ-Lube works if used properly. Opinions--and your mileage--may vary!

If you do use the EZ-Lube, just proceed carefully until it's obvious the grease is flowing freely and emerging from the front of the hub. If something is blocked you might risk blowing out a rear seal if you force things, but this is unlikely.

Keep the wheel turning and add new grease until the old grease is completely forced out. Keep lots of rags handy--haha.

Everyone has different risk tolerance--and there are no guarantees--but do this (and keep monitoring your hub temps) and I'll gamble you'll be fine.

ras · June 20

I purchased an inexpensive infrared thermometer from Harbor Freight and use it to monitor hub temperatures when I stop for fuel. When the temperatures start cliimbing, I know it's time for easy lube. The wheel bearings and seals to for my 2016 T@G were available at my local Northern Tool. I carry one set with me . Also check the temps of the hubs on my 4Runner with the thermometer. They run much hotter in normal operation. Probably reading brake generated heat

The_Rigger · June 21

I put Bearing Buddies on my camper. They work fine.

2017 T@G XL Wheel Lube Plan

Comments

Categories