Greasing Keystone Camper Hubs: A Step-By-Step Guide

Greasing your Keystone camper hub is an essential part of RV maintenance. The Dexter EZ-Lube System is a convenient way to grease your RV bearings without removing the wheels. However, there are differing opinions on the best way to grease your bearings. Some recommend using a grease gun on the axle end fittings, while others suggest removing the hub, cleaning and inspecting the bearings, and then hand-packing them with grease. It is recommended that you grease your RV bearings annually or every 10,000-12,000 miles to ensure optimal performance and prevent potential issues.

Removing the hub

To remove the hub, you will need to follow these steps:

Firstly, jack up the wheel of your Keystone camper and ensure that it is securely supported. This will give you access to the hub and allow you to work safely.

Next, locate and remove the dust cap from the centre of the wheel. This will expose the cotter pin and castle nut, which need to be removed. Once these are out, you can slide the hub off the axle. Be careful not to damage the components and lay them out in a logical order to make reassembly easier.

Now, you will be able to access the bearings and other internal components for cleaning, inspection, and repacking. It is important to thoroughly clean the old grease from the bearings and races, as this will allow you to properly inspect their condition. You can use a suitable solvent for this step and ensure that everything is completely dry before proceeding.

After cleaning and inspecting the bearings, you will need to repack them with fresh grease. Use a high-quality grease designed for wheel bearings and pack the bearings generously by hand. This will help ensure that your camper's wheels are properly lubricated and protected.

Once the bearings are repacked, you can begin reassembling the hub. Slide the hub back onto the axle, ensuring that it is correctly aligned and seated. Reinstall the castle nut and tighten it to the specified torque setting. Finally, replace the cotter pin and dust cap to secure the assembly.

By following these steps, you will be able to safely and effectively remove and service the hub on your Keystone camper, helping to maintain the wheel bearings and ensure a smooth and safe ride.

Cleaning the bearings

To clean the bearings of your Keystone camper hub, follow these steps:

First, remove the hub, bearings, and races. This will allow you to inspect the condition of the races and bearings. Next, clean the brake shoes and other components. You can use diesel fuel to clean the bearings; simply place them in a container of diesel fuel and agitate the mixture occasionally to remove the grease. Rinse the bearings with brake cleaner spray when you're finished.

Once the bearings are clean, inspect them for any damage. If they appear to be in good condition, you can proceed to the next step. If they are damaged, you will need to replace them. It is recommended to replace both the bearing and its corresponding race if you need to replace one of them.

After inspecting and cleaning the bearings, it is important to hand-pack them with fresh grease. This will ensure that they are properly lubricated and protected from corrosion. Finally, reinstall the bearings, races, and hub, following the manufacturer's instructions and torquing the bearing nut to the specified value.

It is recommended to clean and repack the bearings of your Keystone camper hub at least once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. This will help ensure the bearings are in good condition and reduce the risk of bearing failure.

Inspecting the bearings

• Visual Inspection: Check each wheel hub and inspect the grease seals on the inside of the hub. Check the cap on the outside of the wheel hub as well. If you notice grease splutter around the cap, it is likely that water, dust, or other impurities are getting into the wheel bearings. Grease seals are designed to keep these out and prevent corrosion. The presence of grease around the wheel hub could also mean that you've added too much grease. If the grease is fresh and clean, the wheel hub is in good condition. Old, dirty, and discolored grease is a sign of contamination and some metallic parts may be rusting.
• Listen for Noises: One of the challenges of towing a trailer is that you can hardly hear any noise from the wheel while in the car. Ask someone to listen for clanking sounds as you tow the trailer. Check if the noise occurs when you're driving or turning. If you hear a growling sound, the wheel bearings probably need to be greased or replaced.
• Check for Overheating: Another way to check the status of the trailer wheel bearings is to check for signs of heating at the wheel hubs. Drive at highway speeds and check if the wheel hub gets hot. The wheel hub assembly helps the wheels rotate and if this part is too hot when you touch it, it indicates inadequate lubrication.
• Jack Up the Trailer: You can also check the status of the trailer wheel bearings by jacking up the wheels. Listen for noise in the hub. The wheel bearings may be in poor shape if there is growling, whining, grinding, or other rough noises. Perform the shake test by shaking the wheel to check for noise and movement. The wheel should shake slightly but shouldn't be too loose or too tight. If the wheel is too tight, check if the bolts are too tight or if the problem is corrosion.

If, after these checks, you determine that your bearings need to be replaced, follow these steps:

• Jack up your trailer so the wheels are off the ground, ensuring that the jack is on the frame and not the axle.
• Remove the grease cap, spindle nut retainer, spindle nut, and spindle wash.
• Remove the hub from the spindle.
• Pry the seal out of the hub with a screwdriver or suitable tool. Do not drive it out.
• Inspect and clean the bearings and the spindle with a solvent and dry them.
• Place the hub on a flat surface and tap around the diameter of the cup with a brass drift punch.
• Tap in a new cup with the brass drift punch.
• Replace the seal and apply sealant. Tap the seal into place.
• Replace the hub bearings, washers, and spindle nuts.
• Rotate the hub assembly slowly while tightening the spindle nut to 50 foot-pounds.
• Loosen the spindle nut to remove the torque and rotate the spindle nut until snug.
• Cover with a grease cap.

Using a grease gun

Before you start, make sure you have the right type of grease for your bearings. It's also recommended to have a grease gun, a jack to lift your camper, and some basic tools for removing the hub cap and axle.

First, locate the grease zerk fitting on your camper hub. This is usually found on the axle end or on the hub itself. If your camper has a centre cap, you may need to remove it to access the grease zerk. Once you've located the grease zerk, clean the area around it to prevent dirt or debris from entering the hub.

Next, attach your grease gun to the grease zerk fitting. Make sure the grease gun is set to a low pressure to avoid damaging the bearings. Slowly pump grease into the fitting while simultaneously rotating the wheel. This will ensure that the grease is distributed evenly throughout the hub and bearings. Continue pumping grease until you see fresh grease coming out of the exit hole or the grease starts to overflow from the cap.

It's important not to over-grease the hub, as this can cause overheating and damage to the bearings. Once you've finished greasing, wipe away any excess grease from the hub and axle.

If your camper has brakes, it's crucial to be careful when greasing the hub. Over-greasing or using too much pressure can blow out the rear seal, causing grease to contaminate the brake components. To avoid this, always use a manual grease gun and pump slowly while rotating the wheel.

Some people prefer to remove the hub and bearings for a more thorough cleaning and inspection. This allows you to check the condition of the bearings, races, and brake components. If you choose to do this, make sure to clean and inspect all parts before repacking the bearings with new grease.

Remember to always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for grease type, frequency of greasing, and proper procedures. Greasing your camper hubs regularly and correctly will help extend the life of your bearings and ensure a smooth and safe journey.

Using a grease packer

Step 1: Purchase the Right Grease Packer

First, you'll need to purchase a wheel bearing grease packer. One option recommended by a Keystone RV owner is the Lisle 34500 Wheel Bearing Packer, which can be found on websites like Amazon. This tool will make the job quicker and less messy.

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary supplies. In addition to the grease packer, you'll need grease (such as Lucas Red and Tacky wheel bearing grease), a new grease seal, and basic tools for the job. It's also recommended to have a set of inner and outer bearings and races, as well as a brass punch, hammer, and block of wood, in case you need to make any replacements while on the road.

Step 3: Prepare the Hub

Jack up your camper and remove the hub. Clean the hub thoroughly, removing all the old grease. Inspect the hub for any damage and ensure that it is in good condition. If there is any pitting or excessive wear, you may need to replace the hub.

Step 4: Pack the Bearings

Take your new grease and pack the bearings by hand or using the grease packer. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper bearing packing. You want to ensure that the bearings are thoroughly packed with grease.

Step 5: Reinstall the Hub

Once the bearings are packed, it's time to reinstall the hub. Apply the correct initial torque to the bearing nut and then back off the nut to finger-tight. Install a new grease seal and ensure it is seated properly. Reattach the wheel and lower the camper back down.

Step 6: Test and Maintain

After greasing your camper hub, it's important to test the wheels to ensure they are functioning properly. Take your camper for a short drive and check for any unusual noises or vibrations. If everything seems fine, you're good to go! Remember to grease your camper hub annually or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. This maintenance will help ensure the longevity of your camper's wheels and bearings.

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