Caravan bearing & brakes servicing

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Oh for an edit function.

pretty good advice there-wheel bearings are very basic mechanical knowledge but its essential to know the "why" as well as the "how".

Infrared thermometer-probably un-necessary. If you cant touch it its too hot unless maybe youve come down a long steep decline.

Everything is easy to those who have done it before.
So I hope 'The Bantam' and others will accept responsibility if something goes wrong. Ol is right. Stuff it up and bleep can hit fans, and usually it's the innocents that cop a face full.

It's why I no longer offer advice on a public forum, despite having been an auto electrician for 38 years. There are already enough 'experts' out there. And some even know what they're talking about. Most don't.

OH for goodness sakes lighten up......anybody would think no one works on their own vehicles.

Of course I do not accept responsibility for the work of others...if you work on your own vehicle it is clearly your responsibility to make sure the work is done correctly and your information is correct.


But for goodness sakes lets not believe that simple straight forward mechanical work is beyond ordinary people.

There is very good information available.....and yes on the internet.
Because of the internet we have got better access to more and better information that ever before

Anybody who is not traveling purely major cities and bitumen roads should be able to repack and replace bearings and adjust & service trailer brakes.

Bearing failures on trailers are all too common...and almost without exception it is due to lack of service, not because the owner has done the service themselves.

The original poster was asking for pointers & information...would you rather they simply blundered in completely ignorant and did the work.....there are plenty that do.

As far as most not knowing what they are talking about.....what a load of complete and utter rubbish.

There are some very knowelegdable people on the internet and on this forum who are generous enough to share what they know.

If you have any doubts about what I have posted above.
Start by going to the Castrol web site and reading their application information about greases.....if you want to know more ring the Castrol help line and ask to speak to a lubricants engineer....they are all too happy to talk about grease & stuff.

As for procedures for repacking bearings...every automotive service manual ever published will give procedures in detail.

the only difference is that the pretension adjustment on trailer axles is much coarser than most cars.

As far as the issues with brake adjustment....check either the brake system manufacturer web sites or the trailer parts supplier web sites.

Hell there are even books and web sites that show step by step procedures.

Please if you are at all mechanically competent, don't let any body tell you, you should not be doing basic mechaical work.

And please of you have good information, don't throw in with the cop out of not helping people.

cheers

Good reply Bantam.

Some of these doomsdayers must lead a pretty ordinary sort of life.

The best way to learn is to do it yourself, with the aid of an accurate "work shop manual", or in the case of wheel bearings and trailer brakes, a well written guide, such as the ones on the campertrailers.org site.

Having completed the task yourself, you are better prepared should you need to perform some maintenance in the back of beyond.
It's one thing to take spare parts along on a remote trip, but someone needs to be able to install them should the need arise.

Totally agree with Bantam.
I have been servicing my own vehicles since I first got my license.
How I learnt was to ask our local mechanic who was only too willing to help in fact I got a part time job with him servicing cars of all types including some trucks.
These days one can simply go to U-Tube and put in how to do what it is you want to do and many vids will come up. Watch as many as you can and you will soon sort the chaff from the wheat.

There are too many doomsdayers on these sites.

There is this thing called competency, it would be nice to think everyone has the same skill sets.

Being in the mechanical trade we see people who attempt to do something who don't even know how to use basic hand tools properly...... you night thinks I pulling your leg but it's true.

Every week we have someone who has referred to the internet as a source of information who has done something wrong.

I see where the medical professionals are coming from, they say more people do self diagnosis by Googling their symptoms.

I'm a classic example, ask me to build a house or a brick wall..... no problems easy, the question is is it done right, maybe not.

Everyone's an expert until something goes wrong.

On brakes it could be something as simple as putting the drum shoe springs on correctly.

It's not rocket science but hands on learning is so much better.

Well the problem is mechanics never hear from the home mechanic that gets it right.

Seriouilsy, this is not rocket science....the procedures and assembly diagrames are openly available..

Truth to tell a great many home mechanics will do a better job, because they have all the time in the world and they will go and get information and proper advice where a great many mechainics will simply assume that they know better.

Afterall most light trailers and light trailer components are assembled by people who have bugger all in the way of qualifications ot training.

cheers

I think it's called embarrassment..... and most don't like the 50% loading per hour under the clause " if you screwed it up and want us to fix it". LOL

Firstly I apologise for not replying to all of you who so quickly jumped to my assistance. New grandchild and work commitments took up most of the last week.
Well I didn't realise that a can of worms could be opened by my question. I have had a look at the recommended reads and all help to some extent but now I know where to look for further research.
In answer to olcoolone, I do have some mechanical degree of competence as I re-built engines in my (much) earlier years but have been unsure about whether the bearing and braking systems used nowadays is much, if at all, different to the "old" days. It appears not. I therefore assure olcoolone that I would not pull anything apart that I don't feel confident about putting back together.
Once again thanks to all respondents.