|
05-20-2016, 05:37 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Black Mountain
Posts: 138
|
Wheel Bearing Disaster Averted
I have the Dexter EZ Lube Axles on my 2013 334RBTS. Been pumping, purging grease since new through the bearings while rotating the hubs annually since I got the trailer new. Been having issues with weak brakes so I pulled hubs off to check lining, magnets etc. Found the outer bearings spalling badly, one close to eminent failure. This trailer has about 5,000 miles on it. Conclusion is the bearings were likely not packed correctly when new, the first time I greased the EZ Lube fittings, I used a full tube of grease. Another concern is Jayco put 5,000 lb axles on a unit that weighs close to 10,900. Also the bearings are cheap Chinese junk. Brought set of Timkens to replace the outers, the inner look fine so they went back in. Also used Pennzoil 707 grease which in my mind is the best. I was pumping in Mobil 1 synthetic but after research, the Pennzoil grease has a higher operating temp then the Mobil 1 ironically. These brakes work hard with being at max capacity. Moral here for all is not to over look bearing inspection just because there's grease fittings, this would have been a big disaster on the first trip out.
__________________
2011 Powerstoke
2013 334RBTS
East Bound & Down- We Love Camping :)
|
|
|
05-20-2016, 05:51 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,740
|
Glad you checked! I have thought about stowing a spare bearing set. I see a lot of boats on the side of the road, with the hub off.
|
|
|
05-20-2016, 06:58 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Florien, LA
Posts: 1,872
|
Where'd you get the Timkens. Bearings is one of the few things I don't have much experience with. I have spare seals for mine with intentions of inspection later this year, but wouldn't mind a spare set of bearings.
__________________
John and Rebecca Dickson
Emma-13 / Little John-10 / Iva-7
2013 Ford F-350 Lariat FX4, CC LB PSD, DRW
2015 Jayco Jay Flight 28BHBE (#8)
|
|
|
05-20-2016, 08:12 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 692
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJohnD
Where'd you get the Timkens. Bearings is one of the few things I don't have much experience with. I have spare seals for mine with intentions of inspection later this year, but wouldn't mind a spare set of bearings.
|
You can find them on Amazon for about 8.50/bearing, includes races and shipping.
__________________
2015 Jayco 27RLS
2015 Ford F250 6.7PSD
|
|
|
05-20-2016, 08:23 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Florien, LA
Posts: 1,872
|
Is there some sort of reference chart for Timkens vs. Dexter and what will fit? I have all the dexter numbers for the bearings (got from Dexter based on S/N on axle).
__________________
John and Rebecca Dickson
Emma-13 / Little John-10 / Iva-7
2013 Ford F-350 Lariat FX4, CC LB PSD, DRW
2015 Jayco Jay Flight 28BHBE (#8)
|
|
|
05-20-2016, 08:42 AM
|
#6
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Urbana
Posts: 43
|
Check those Timken bearings real close. Most small Timken bearings are made in China.
I do maintenance at a major manufacture, it's almost impossible to find small bearings made in the USA - tapered roller, ball, roller, Timken, SKF, SealMaster, NTN, NSK, - it doesn't matter, they're mostly China manufacture
Rick
__________________
Rick & Debbie; Brandy & Schnoodle (Dexter & Fritz R.I.P.) the Doxie "Kids"
2015 Jayco Pinnacle 36RSQS 5'er
2018 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD, 6.6L Diesel Dually; B&W Companion 5'er hitch
ScanGauge, TST 507 TPMS
|
|
|
05-20-2016, 09:04 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Souderton, PA
Posts: 130
|
I don't recommend putting the original cups (inner races) back in with the new Timken parts. Different manufacturers use different profiles on the raceway (shape of the race). You may find that does harm to the parts. Always keep the manufacturer the same. As for country of manufacture: don't worry too much about Chinese made bearings from your premium manufacturers such as Timken and SKF. Their factories use the same spec whether in China or the US.
|
|
|
05-20-2016, 12:28 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Nashville
Posts: 470
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Firefighter78
. . . Brought set of Timkens to replace the outers, the inner look fine so they went back in . . .
|
Just curious as to why you didn't go ahead and replace the inner bearings while you were already in there? Doubt it was much more money. Are they more difficult to replace?
I gotta' get out there and check mine the next time we have a nice day.
|
|
|
05-26-2016, 07:15 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Black Mountain
Posts: 138
|
I replaced the inner races as well as mentioned the bearing manufactures should match. I bought everything off amazon after wasting hours driving to dealers who don't stock anything these days. Even the pennzoil grease I ordered since it was just few bucks a tube.
I don't like all that grease being pumped in against those seals. Old school I guess but from now on will just pull the hubs down every two years. I just wanted to give a heads up to those thinking Dexter packed your bearings right. In my case they sure didn't and could have been ugly. If you have the bearings done by a repair shop, be sure they inspect the bearings really good and not just jam them in the repack tool as seen in you tube videos. Need to really look at them for spalling.
__________________
2011 Powerstoke
2013 334RBTS
East Bound & Down- We Love Camping :)
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|