laser thermometer

Polk · 05-18-2016, 04:15 PM

I just changed the wheel bearings and drove it about 5 miles down the road. stopped and felt the hubs and they felt warm. Drove home and parked it and felt the hubs and they seemed hot. I put my thumb on the part sticking out right against the drum, after about 5 seconds it felt like it might burn. All the hubs felt the same temp. I seated the bearings and backed off the nut and then finger tight. I used a lithium EP grease.
1 how hot should they be?
2 if measuring the heat with a laser thermometer wear do you point to measure?
3 What brand of laser do you use? Lowes has one for about $20.

Jagiven · 05-18-2016, 04:41 PM

Mine do get warm, but never hot. I do not recall what is a normal temp, as I have not checked them this year.

**norty1** · 05-18-2016, 04:48 PM

I have one from Harbor Freight that I used for years. Before that, I would lay my hand on the hub and make sure I could touch it w/o getting a burn. Not top scientific a?

Now that I have the TPMS I don't use it as often but what I did then was check the temp of all 4 hubs in the same spot and look for them to be within 10-15 deg. of each other.

Polk · 05-18-2016, 05:18 PM

My question is where do you take your temperature measurements from?

In the image above, I've pointed out 6 spots that I toyed with b/c they are all easily accessible without removing the wheel and they each had different temperature readings when I tested:
1) Rotor/Disc
2) Rotor where it meets the hat
3) Rotor hat
4) Edge of Hub
5) Face of Hub Flange
6) Dust Cap

I assume 1,2,3 are irrelevant b/c they are the rotor not the hub.
I figure #4 is irrelevant b/c while it's technically part of the hub, it's further away from the portion of hub that makes contact with the grease.

I think #5 and #6 are the right places to measure but wanted to know what others think and use as a guage? Also, what temperatures do others use as a guide for "too hot"?

Rustysocket · 05-18-2016, 05:19 PM

If you can put your finger on it for any length of time it is likely fine. They are not going to be cold they are going to get warm. Touch the hub of your TV for reference.

SmokerBill · 05-18-2016, 05:29 PM

It's possible that your brake shoes are over adjusted, or that maybe you just used your brakes a lot during your drive. Just a thought on another possible cause of the heat. And no, they shouldn't get so hot you can't hold your hand on them. Mine just become mildly warm, like they'd feel good to hold in my hands on a cold day.

**Mustang65** · 05-18-2016, 05:46 PM

Is it possible that you set your break controller so that the TT is doing most of the breaking? You may want to check that out

Don

Polk · 05-18-2016, 06:16 PM

your right. I did notice that my breaks are strong. Ill turn down the controller and keep feeling. It also did seem hottest the closer I got to the hub area with the breaks.

need-a-vacation · 05-18-2016, 07:11 PM

I don't recall the brand laser thermometer I bought, but it was $20 at SAMs Club. Got one if those, "What do you need that for" looks from the better half, so I told her it was to see how hit the campfire was!!! Lol

I don't remember how hot our hubs or tires run but they were all within about 15* or each other....

I try to check them after getting of the expressway (freeway) with very little stop and go before checking (like at a rest area).

**JFlightRisk** · 05-19-2016, 06:18 AM

If memory is right, my front hubs ( measured at the hub ) were about 123-125 degrees, and the rears showed about 115 or so. Not sure what's "normal", but I check at every stop along the way, and see if they're hotter than the last check. The temps probably won't be exactly the same from one check to the next. It'll depend on outside temps, and how long you waited to check them after stopping, how hard you braked last, etc. It's more of a reference for me.

Seann45 · 05-19-2016, 07:15 AM

did you preload the bearing then remember to back off the nut a bit? It really sounds like the nuts are too tight...

Polk · 05-19-2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

did you preload the bearing then remember to back off the nut a bit? It really sounds like the nuts are too tight...

Yes I preloaded by turning hub and loosing nut and then finger tight.

mike837go · 05-19-2016, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polk

Yes I preloaded by turning hub and loosing nut and then finger tight.

"Finger Tight" sounds a bit loose to me.

Just after installing the cotter pin, while the tire is still off the ground, how does the wheel feel:
A. Spins freely?
B. Spins down in 4 or 5 seconds?
C. Stops as soon as you quit pushing?

Grab the opposite edges of the tire; Left and right, then top and bottom; Try and twitch the tire vs. the axle. Do you feel:
1. As if you are trying to flip the whole trailer over?
2. There might be a bit of give, but maybe it's the rubber of the tire?
3. A slight click or twitch?

If your answer is not B2, then your spindle nut tightening procedure needs to be re-worked.

Polk · 05-27-2016, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike837go

"Finger Tight" sounds a bit loose to me.

Just after installing the cotter pin, while the tire is still off the ground, how does the wheel feel:
A. Spins freely?
B. Spins down in 4 or 5 seconds?
C. Stops as soon as you quit pushing?

Grab the opposite edges of the tire; Left and right, then top and bottom; Try and twitch the tire vs. the axle. Do you feel:
1. As if you are trying to flip the whole trailer over?
2. There might be a bit of give, but maybe it's the rubber of the tire?
3. A slight click or twitch?

If your answer is not B2, then your spindle nut tightening procedure needs to be re-worked.

Thanks for that advice. I jacked it back up and could feel a slight twitch, so I tightened the nut a little( I thought dexter video seemed strange only finger tight). Turned the controller all the way down and drove about 15 miles up the highway at 65. I feel I have b2 know. Hubs felt very warm, all feel the same. About the same when I got home maybe a little less warm. I feel better now.

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