Wheel Bearings

[MuddyPaws]

Tractor,

It's good to know that we can get better seals at NAPA. Up until I read your reply I thought I had to buy them from Dexter. I have no doubt that I will be replacing the seals when I do my end of summer maintenance.

Thanks,
Muddypaws

[tractor]

Napa has a dexter book they were pricey but they will hold the pressure of greasing them without blowing out the back.

[TLightning]

I'd like to see them come up with axles/bearings/etc that are permanently sealed. Cars and trucks have had them for several decades, can't be that much more expensive for RV makers to put them on RVs.

[SlickWillie]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

I'd like to see them come up with axles/bearings/etc that are permanently sealed. Cars and trucks have had them for several decades, can't be that much more expensive for RV makers to put them on RVs.

Is that not what the Nev-R-Lube is? http://www.dexteraxle.com/nev_r_lube_bearings

[HughM]

I've got Nev-R-Lube on my SOB and love it. Packing bearing annually is a thing of the past. They should be on every RV.
Hugh

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by SlickWillie

Is that not what the Nev-R-Lube is? http://www.dexteraxle.com/nev_r_lube_bearings

I guess so,...but the RV manufacturers are going to break an arm with all the patting themselves on the back they are doing. My point was that these bearings should be standard on all RVs and no big deal, rather than an extra cost option.

[SlickWillie]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

I guess so,...but the RV manufacturers are going to break an arm with all the patting themselves on the back they are doing. My point was that these bearings should be standard on all RVs and no big deal, rather than an extra cost option.

Agreed. Even at the failure rate GM has experienced, they should last forever on an RV. I had both of the front bearing ass'y replaced on the TV recently. Quite pricey. They told me at the dealer they were experiencing failures at fairly low mileage. I gave my son a 1991 Chevy 4WD with over 200,000 miles; original front bearings. Wonder if the new ones might be "made in China"?

[kdeiss]

[quote]Originally posted by sreigle

Several years ago during a brake check and bearing repack our dealer's service manager, whom I trust explicitly, told me I was putting too much grease into those zerks. He said no more than two squirts per year. I said we fulltime and do a lot of miles. He said, two squirts once per year. I've done as he said ever since and have had no bearing problems and no grease on the brake linings. If you put in too much it squeezes past the seal onto the linings, making your brakes useless. Others may disagree with my approach but what Jim told me has proven accurate to me. We have him check brakes and repack the bearing every other year.

I was told the same two squirts no more!

[Devildog]

Gonna advance this forward a little bit. i was looking to add a few bearing parts in my backup supplies. What about part numbers, whether from NAPA or camping world, for bearings or seals?

I've got the 6000 lb axles.

[Art-n-Marge]

When you think about it two squirts of a good grease gun provides about a walnut size amount of grease which is about the amount to use for packing bearings. Why use any more than that?

The "squeeze until you see it" applied to the older cars that had zerks for the suspension linkages. I recall doing this on my car that had 6-10 grease points and you squeezed until you saw it because it was not much that was needed. This should NOT apply to wheel bearings that have only a certain amount of space to contain all the grease. If grease can squeeze out, there's probably a good chance that other bad stuff can get back in - that's why going into deep water is bad.

A major reason for checking wheel bearings sooner than recommended would be because you submerged in water to the hubs or you drive in rainy weather A LOT! Otherwise follow the recommended interval and things should go well.

[electryc_monk]

as this rages onward. :>) I'll just chime (sp) in with a little thinking.

Original owner passed away over 2 yrs ago. His son transported it (unmolested from the site in NM to his business' lot and let it sit thwere for a while, then moved it to a storage lot for several months... still not touched.) Then he decided to sell it-removed some of his dad's personal effects and some clothes but, left all the rest...including the grey/black water tanks full! LOL

We bought it last summer(about now) pulled it home(here in the DFW area) from Austin then prepped it for our first run up to LAke ray roberts(40 odd mile run one-way...)

put new tires on her 2 weeks ago and gave a look at one of the brakes as the alko rubber nipple had a tip crack off of the *dust cover*?

Figured I'd check the bearings within the next several weeks - when I inspect the brakes too....

given my personal experience with trailer axles and bearing wear - I'm hedging my bet on his aggressive pre-maint. that was done -before his passing.

[Texas Firefighter]

I take my Montana in once a year, (2 times now) to have the bearings packed and breaks checked. The first time I took it in, the Service Manager told me "2 Squirts", after he cleaned all the grease out of a drum...I learned to listen. The reason I take it to the Dealer to get this done is that I want it on paper that it was done.

[Texas Firefighter]

Sorry....I guess I do not know how to spell..."brakes". Time for bed!