Alloy Wheels and Access to Bearings Question

DoubleT · 09-01-2014, 03:51 PM

Looking at the newer model TM that now come with Alloy Wheels how do you access the grease fitting to service the bearings. The alloy wheels have a chrome hub cover that covers the hub. Is there a removable center part of the hub cover that comes off to provide access? Or do you have to remove the entire wheel to access and service the bearings???

scrubjaysnest · 09-01-2014, 05:14 PM

This is Bill's write up in the tech section, http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=11010

DoubleT · 09-03-2014, 11:04 AM

Currently have an '08 2619 and am know the sequence of greasing the bearings. My question is on the new alloy wheels with the chrome center hub is there a way to access the zert fitting through the the chrome center hub OR do you have to remove the wheel. I am taking delivery on a new 2720 Silver Trail and need to know.

Hiram123 · 04-05-2015, 05:47 PM

The flat end cap snaps off the chrome hub but on mine you have a rubber piece built into the hub, At least it looks like that , if you push on the rubber you can feel a grease zert under the rubber. I'm just as stymied as you, anybody???

TrailManorMan · 04-05-2015, 05:52 PM

You should be able to pop off the rubber cover with a screwdriver, exposing the grease fitting. Try not to damage during removal so you can replace it.

Hiram123 · 04-06-2015, 07:28 AM

Thank you for that, thought about removing the rubber cover but was a little hesitant.

TrailManorMan · 04-06-2015, 08:42 AM

The rubber cover will go back in to a groove and fits nicely. Just pop it it out ,grease and pop it back in!

04-07-2015, 07:32 PM

There is a lot of info on this forum about greasing the wheel bearings and other related maintenance. Just use the search option.

**rickst29** · 05-10-2015, 10:58 AM

You do not need to remove the wheel. On most alloy wheels, there are screws which allow for the installation and removal of the hubcaps. (Mine uses a couple of hex screws at opposite ends). With wheel like mine, you need merely remove the two screws which hold the hubcap in place - leaving the wheel and tire mounted.

Some other wheels (cheaper) depend on friction to hold the hubcap in: For these, you "wedgie" the hubcap up and off using a kitchen "butter knife" (use a cheap one, because it might end up a little bit bent afterwards. And after it's far enough up, maybe switch to a screwdriver). I don't know what sort of hubcap is present on the TM wheel, but I'll SWAG that's it's one of these two types.

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Some may disagree, but I feel that it is a good idea to buy "a few" new rubber seals, in case one of the old ones cracks while coming out, or going back in. Just four "spares" should be sufficient for 20 years, I think.

On my own TM, with the naked Torflex hub cover assembly (rubber seal + steel mounting ring) eventually became a bit loose, sliding "out" from the Torflex hub and alllowing a bit of leakage from underneath. This was probably a result of sunlight and weather exposure, plus considerable driving on nasty dirt roads. I had the basic wheel from my Model year, which left the Torlfex hub completely exposed. You might never have that problem, because your factory alloy wheels with hubcaps protect the parts from that exterior grime and sunlight damage.

Replacements for the entire assembly were less than $10 each from EBay. And of course, the rubber rings alone are much less, $2-3 each.