Axle issues

[Brian2430]

I have a 2016 Seismic Wave and have had to replace one axle because the spindle was destroyed when the bearing overheated. I’ve had three of the plastic dust caps on the axle ends break off. This is all on one cross country trip. Anyone else having these issues?

[Sassy]

When was the last time you removed the wheel hubs and inspected and cleaned and lubed the wheel bearings since it’s a 2016

[Brian2430]

I had them inspected and lubed twice ( once a year) since I purchased it. I didn’t do it myself. I had the dealer do it. The first time after the dust cap broke off on that wheel and the second time before a three thousand mile trip.

[RedHorse1]

It sounds like you bought it used (or new as last year’s model). If you are the second owner there’s no telling what a PO may have done. The dust caps coming off may indicate the bearings were too loose (or worn). First thing would be to look for another service source. My neighbor dropped a bearing and the spindle was scored. I dressed it with a file and we were able to reuse it.
Bearing service isn’t rocket science so think about doing it yourself if you are able. Many YouTube vids will give you the “how to”. We’ve pulled over 30k miles and I do my own bearing maintenance, 2 year tear down/repack and use the Ez-Lube the years between. To date we’ve had no bearing troubles.

[Brian2430]

Thanks. I did buy it new and I am going to do the maintenance myself from now on. The spindle was overheated so badly that the spindle nut stripped the threads off when it was removed and one of the bearing races was welded to it. Lubed the other axle on the road following asking the repair shop to do it and had to add a lot of grease through the ez lube zirc to get any to come out of the outer bearing ( dust cap removed) so I don’t think that it was greased properly even then.

[DonaandDon]

I feel your pain. I too lost a bearing, spent three hours splitting the castle nut off the spindle to effect repairs. Did I say along side of the interstate at 9pm? Replaced all components. Yes I to do my own maintenance. However I now feel once you burn a bearing, all bearing and races need to be replaced. I did not replace all bearings after the first problem. When I pumped grease through the other bearings, on one of them the grease seemed to pour out. I did have additional issues with heated bearing after the initial problem. After replacing all of them I did not have any other issues. Installing all new seals, bearings, with races is not that hard. Good Luck.