wheel bearing maintance

edwardsm1 · 08-23-2022, 09:41 AM

Returned from 5000-mile trip lost wheel bearing on right rear axle in NE along I-80. Had all bearings greased/repacked and checked by a mechanic (so he said) before. Found one that was discolored and replaced. My guess is all he did was put grease in zerts. Can't prove or he would be paying. Got so hot destroyed axle, hub, brakes, etc. Had to leave trailer in NE to be repaired when axle becomes available and have 2000-mile trip to retrieve trailer. Long story short always check on work or do it yourself to make sure done right. Just a vent for getting caught not doing work myself that capable to do and relying on someone else.

2020 Hideout 26LHSWE
2019 Ram 2500 HD Cummins

**flybouy** · 08-23-2022, 10:00 AM

Just curious, where did you find this "mechanic" and what were his qualifications? If you don't have one buy an IR (infer red) temp. gun. They are inexpensive and you can pick one up at Harbor Freight or on line. I keep one in my driver's side door pocket. When we stop at a rest stop or at a cg I take a quick walk around the trailer and check the temps of each rim. If you're lucky you might catch one wheel getting notably warmer than the rest and prevent failure.

bsmith0404 · 08-23-2022, 10:38 AM

My dad has always done his own wheel bearing maintenance, has never had a bearing go bad in 50+ years until 2 years ago. Things break. I try not to point fingers unless I can prove something. What happened sucks, but I wouldn’t say it was the mechanics fault. I also do my own maintenance, but I still check the hubs with a temp gun at each stop. Why? Because things break.

ChuckS · 08-23-2022, 11:48 AM

Most likely the mechanic didn't pull the hubs and hand pack or pack with a bearing packer... Ive not had a bearing fail in over 50 years on any trailer, boat trailer, or RV that I have owned.

Yours is a 2020 and fairly light.. Assuming the bearings were properly packed, the axle nut was preloaded to about 50 ft lbs and then backed off and finger tight and good grease was used the grease would have lasted easily for 12K miles...

I would suggest you learn to DIY... its one of the simplest task to accomplish on an RV.. Minimal tools needed.. you can buy a full set of four new rear grease seals for about $14... Tub of grease ( Red & Tacky ) $7, maybe two hours total time with a coffee break in between

Then you know those bearings are good, the brakes and hardware are good, they are properly greased and the axle nut is properly installed ( finger tight only)

fjr vfr · 08-23-2022, 05:36 PM

Things do happen. We had a bearing go bad a couple years ago near OKC and needed to have an axle replaced. Up to the incident I checked wheels every time we stopped and this wheel was never any hotter than the others.
I suspect, (can't verify) the spring retainer that keeps the nut from turning didn't retain it and the nut loosened. It was on the driver side where the wheel direction would work to loosen the nut. Anyway that's what I suspect.
The axle the shop replace the 5,200lb axle with is a 6k axle and it uses castle nuts and cotter keys. I feel more comfortable with that set up. I am planning to replace the other 5200lb axle with a 6k. They use the same components, but castle nuts and cotter keys. I also like the sturdier spindles on the 6k axles.
Bottom line it can happen to anyone even if you do everything right. Of course you're odds are much better when you do it right.
Best of luck and if not too late you might consider upgrading your axles since one needs replacing anyway.

CedarCreekWoody · 08-23-2022, 05:39 PM

I asked my dealer how they repack bearings and they only use zerk fitting method. No hand repacking, so your may be the same. I now use a mobile tech. He does a full hand repack and I'm there talking to him as he works so I know they are done correctly.

bobbecky · 08-23-2022, 05:58 PM

We had a bearing fail some years ago, a couple months after doing a full brake inspection and hand packing the bearings. We were fortunate that the axle was still good and didn't lose the wheel drum assembly from the end of the axle. I had a full set of bearings and races along with grease and tools to replace the races and bearings while on the side of the road. We had been traveling on some really bad Texas roads and the Chinese Dexter bearings just couldn't handle the beating. The failed bearing still had ample grease from when I had packed them. I replaced all the bearings and races with Timkens at the next time I did the brake check/bearing repack.

Mic · 08-24-2022, 09:46 AM

my question when hand packing

is how to best remove old grease out of the bearing BEFORE repacking.

any good methods ?

soaking or spraying cleaner or what ???

gearhead · 08-24-2022, 10:05 AM

Diesel and gasoline. I was taught to not use degreaser spray, but everyone does. Keep the bearings covered with a paper towel until ready to pack and install.
One way to get a butt chewing when I was on my tools was to leave a new bearing out on a work bench or mounted on a shaft and uncovered.
Keep them clean clean clean.

Mic · 08-24-2022, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

Diesel and gasoline. I was taught to not use degreaser spray, but everyone does. Keep the bearings covered with a paper towel until ready to pack and install.
One way to get a butt chewing when I was on my tools was to leave a new bearing out on a work bench or mounted on a shaft and uncovered.
Keep them clean clean clean.

like soak them in it?

use air or paint brush to 'scrub'

just trying to avoid a big mess with fuel over spray

any neat tools to help clean them like the fancy packets I see

gearhead · 08-24-2022, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mic

like soak them in it?

use air or paint brush to 'scrub'

just trying to avoid a big mess with fuel over spray

any neat tools to help clean them like the fancy packets I see

Be very careful with compressed air. Never spin a bearing, especially a DRY bearing with air.
A toothbrush should work. Watch it for dissolving and losing bristles.
I don’t know anything about fancy packets.

gearhead · 08-24-2022, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mic

like soak them in it?

use air or paint brush to 'scrub'

just trying to avoid a big mess with fuel over spray

any neat tools to help clean them like the fancy packets I see

Yes soak them.

bsmith0404 · 08-24-2022, 04:49 PM

I use a citrus cleaner and parts cleaning brush. In a pan for oil changes.

ChuckS · 08-24-2022, 07:15 PM

Not really necessary to completely try to clean a wheel bearing unless you see signs that warrant further inspection.

I hand pack and the new red & tacky pushes the old grease out.l when I see fresh red I’m done..

I have used gasoline, citrus cleaner, etc for cleaning bearings when needed..

And as others have stated don’t use compressed air and spin those bearings with it.

YMMV

travelin texans · 08-24-2022, 08:37 PM

I used turpentine/paint thinner or WD40 poured in a pail to clean the bearings, much less flammable than gasoline.

Lee · 08-25-2022, 06:03 AM

I'm Old School. Soak in gas till old grease softens. Wipe clean with a clean rag and then inspect.

Pack with Red and Tacky and re-install.

bsmith0404 · 08-25-2022, 06:20 AM

Personally, I’m not a fan of red n tacky, just never liked using it. Over the years I’ve tried different brands, Mobil 1, but got tired of dealing with the separation and the red puddle under my grease gun. Mystik, which I really like, but had trouble finding tubs, same with Amsoil. For the last few years I’ve been using StaLube and have been very happy with it. The type of grease you use is another rabbit hole discussion though.

bobbecky · 08-25-2022, 06:36 PM

Dexter recommended grease from their maintenance manual:

You may also like: