Wheel bearings

[SRehberg]

I am in the process of cleaning, inspecting, relubing the wheel bearings on my 1993 27' 5th wheel, which I just purchased last fall. I notice that all four of the outer bearings are overheated, but the inners are fine. One thing I'm not crazy about, is the Chinese origin of the bearings, as they are not noted for their steel, or hardening processes. Aside from that, is it due to lack of torque or to much torque or? It appeared to have adequate grease, but one looked a little "foamy". The rest appeared normal. My manual doesn't state the proper setup, so I planned on taking them down to 30lbs preload, backing off, then finger tight. Similar to our trucks pulling these things. Any suggestions? I can see where this yearly pull-down for relubing is going to get old. Thanks to all.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

http://www.dexteraxle.com/pdf_files/service_literature/pdfs/6_Hubs-Drums-Bearings.pdf

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks for the website referral; it explained all I needed to know, and I am going to replace the bearings that are tinted blue. No corrosion or pitting, just discolored. I'm afraid the hardening would be comprimised getting so warm. The rollers are the blue color, but the races are fine; strange.

 

[Matt42]

I humbly suggest that you replace ALL of the bearings, if you can handle the cost. I did so before a long trip. I found that the OEM bearings, also a dexter axle, were nearly dry. Worse, they were Chinese or Romanian. Some hubs had Chinese bearings with Romanian cups, and vice versa. Romanian steel seems to be OK, but Chinese is variable.

 

[SRehberg]

Matt, I agree with you, but after the bill I got today for the little bit of stuff I bought, (four bearings, races and seals) I may press the larger bearings back into service until next year. I am replacing all of the outer bearings, which all needed to be replaced. The inners look good, but as you said, the Chinese bearings leave a lot to be desired. Nothing but good ol' USA bearings going back in, and the same will happen to the inners next time.



I bought my bearings and seals at a bearing supply house and for me it was still expensive, I can only imagine what it would be at the RV dealer. Any good sources for these things I might try next time?



This yearly ordeal is going to get old, especially replacing the seals each time.

 

[Matt42]

No good ideas on sources. I got mine at NAPA. I recall it was about $120 out the door, with some tubes of grease and other stuff.



In my college student days, I used to repack wheel bearings without removing the inner bearings or the seals. I used the same brand of grease, and just worked it into the bearings. Then I cleaned the seal surface, and the spindle running area, and put it back on. I never had a grease leak. FWIW.

 

[SRehberg]

Matt, sounds like the college days re-lube would work, especially if a needle type fitting would inject grease into the inner bearing. I have asked a Hayes Axle distributor what it would cost to convert the axles over to the EZ-Lube spindles; so far I haven't gotten a reply. These would eliminate removing the hubs all together except when a seal or brakes needed servicing.