Wheel bearing maintenance

[Rdynbama]

Hey guys I have found a lot of good advice from this forum just by reading of others adventures and misadventures.
Work schedule has finally returned to somewhat normal so I’m gonna replace the original bearings with timken bearings but I was cautioned to measure the bearings first before ordering because Dexter 7000 pound axles come from the manufacturer with two different size bearings. Now instead of doing one wheel at a time I have to get all four wheels off the ground at once to measure bearings on both axles. I have the Lippert 6 point leveling system and have been told it will lift all four wheels off the ground no problem. My concern is possibly flipping one of the shackles. Is there a way to prevent it or am I overthinking this project
Thanks

[chuckster57]

IF the shackles do flip, all you have to do is lift/lower the front and they will flip back. We do it all the time.

[Rdynbama]

Thank you Chuckster

[roadglide]

It’s a good idea to change your race for each hub when changing new bearings.

[Rdynbama]

That’s what I plan to do
Completely replace everything with timken

[gearhead]

I would take a phone pic of the paper sticker on the axle. Call Dexter and ask them what the Timken numbers are. Ask about the seal as well.
On our previous Montana HC there was possibility of getting a wrong size seal.
Wish I could be more specific.

[skids]

Do you guys/gals use a bearing packing tool to repack with grease, or is the preferred method to use your thumb?

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by skids

Do you guys/gals use a bearing packing tool to repack with grease, or is the preferred method to use your thumb?

I wish I had a bearing packer but I use the strong arm and hand method.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by skids

Do you guys/gals use a bearing packing tool to repack with grease, or is the preferred method to use your thumb?

I've never seen anyone use a "thumb method". That seems like a time consuming method. I use the "cupped palm method" (with rubber gloves to keep my hands somewhat clean). It goes fairly fast, but nothing even close to the $150 pneumatic bearing packer that I just haven't yet found on the shelf when I'm ready to open my wallet (yep, I'm cheap) or the $10 plastic "hand press" version that I still am not convinced will last more than one or two bearings...

Here's a video of the "cupped palm method".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhL1uAp_WCw

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I've never seen anyone use a "thumb method". That seems like a time consuming method. I use the "cupped palm method" (with rubber gloves to keep my hands somewhat clean). It goes fairly fast, but nothing even close to the $150 pneumatic bearing packer that I just haven't yet found on the shelf when I'm ready to open my wallet (yep, I'm cheap) or the $10 plastic "hand press" version that I still am not convinced will last more than one or two bearings...

Here's a video of the "cupped palm method".

Been doing the "cupped palm" method for over 40 years, hasn't failed me yet!
The only change is now I wear nitrile gloves, makes a little less mess.

[skids]

Yes. Thanks for refreshing my memory John. A similar video is on Dexter's web site and that is what I do.

[Rdynbama]

A friend of mine who has 7000 lb Dexter axles under his race car hauler called Dexter and was told all they had information on was the China bearings . And that was all they could get! So he got Timken bearings from an eBay seller that fortunately I had done business with before

[chuckster57]

JMHO, but I’ve been doing axle services on trailers for a while now. Can’t say I’ve seen many failures of the OEM bearings except in cases of poor maintenance. FWIW, I would clean them grease with good grease and run them.

[Badbart56]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

JMHO, but I’ve been doing axle services on trailers for a while now. Can’t say I’ve seen many failures of the OEM bearings except in cases of poor maintenance. FWIW, I would clean them grease with good grease and run them.

Chuck, what are you using for grease on these bearings? I used the red stuff on aircraft wheel bearings as it was supposed to be high pressure. I don't recall any MIL SPEC numbers though.

[chuckster57]

Current shop uses the red stuff. Previous shops used cheapest stuff they could get.

[German Shepherd Guy]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

JMHO, but I’ve been doing axle services on trailers for a while now. Can’t say I’ve seen many failures of the OEM bearings except in cases of poor maintenance. FWIW, I would clean them grease with good grease and run them.

Howdy Chuckster, Just want to make sure I understand what you are saying. I can clean and then repack the bearings I have? Reuse the race too?


This is another spring job on the list and I have never done it before so am a little trepidatious.


Thanks,
Oak

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by German Shepherd Guy

Howdy Chuckster, Just want to make sure I understand what you are saying. I can clean and then repack the bearings I have? Reuse the race too?


This is another spring job on the list and I have never done it before so am a little trepidatious.


Thanks,
Oak

I'll defer to Chuck to answer your specific questions, but it seems you're not familiar with the job of inspecting and repacking bearings on a travel trailer.

One fact that you should always consider is that any "bearing/race system" (for lack of a better term) is a "matched set". As the bearing rolls in the race, the small imperfections that are introduced when they are machined as individual components will make that specific bearing/race pair a "matched set". So, when you do your maintenance, ALWAYS maintain every bearing to its matched race. In other words, do not intermix parts. Keep each hub separate so you ALWAYS keep the pair together in the same hub upon reassembly.

DO NOT MIX BEARINGS AND RACES ON REASSEMBLY.

[LewisB]

I remove, clean, inspect, and (provided they are not pitted or worn) re-use the OE bearings - never had a problem with OE as long as they are serviced.

If the bearing is replaced, then you should always replace the matching race. I sent pictures of the label on the Dexter 7K axles of my 2018 Raptor to E-trailer who found correct part numbers. I purchased grease seals and one spare bearing & race for my parts drawer in case I ever needed it out on the road. Last I checked, E-trailer sells both Timken and other (China) bearings.

I've been using the following for years and always had good luck. Quick, easy, insures full grease, and a heck of a lot LESS messy!
https://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-64...896413&sr=8-20

[Rdynbama]

Hey Chuckster I did a quick inspection and measured seal and got bearing numbers and found one wheel that grease had gotten past the seal and was on the pads and magnet so it’s a good thing I checked. Keeping in mind this was on a one year old rv that came from the factory that way
Everything thing else looked fine and after reading your post I can’t say I’ve had any problem with oem bearings as long as they are maintained
So I’m gonna get some good grease and the next weekend I have off do a thorough cleaning ,inspect and re pack
Btw I found another problem both front jacks are leaking oil!

[chuckster57]

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