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Old 09-08-2013, 01:36 PM   #1
Gkerlin
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The importance of checking wheel bearings

We are getting ready for a couple of months on the road so I pulled the wheels and repacked my bearings.

My disc brakes and IS was all installed last December so I expected to find everything in good shape since I only have 10k miles on them and less than a year...

Once again I learn not to take even a companies good reputation for granted.

I've posted a whole photo essay here on my blog for anyone who might be interested in how to check bearings, brakes etc and to see some of the issues that you might uncover in doing so.

It could save someone a lot of grief.

I found a couple of interesting defects.. It's worth a look see.
 
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Old 09-08-2013, 02:03 PM   #2
drsmart
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Excellent presentation Greg. Clear and simple explanation with razor sharp images. Probably the best I've seen on wheel maintenance.

Thanks so much.
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Old 09-08-2013, 02:53 PM   #3
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Great job! Thanks for the info and taking the time.
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Old 09-08-2013, 04:08 PM   #4
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Very very nicely done, pictures and description are great. There are some who are not able to do this type of maintenance and they should rely on a professional shop to do it for them. I, like the OP have always done my own, in fact it was during that process that I found the issues with the spindles on both my axles.

Dexter were great and replaced the entire units, brakes pads axles the works under warranty. It is a bit more of a chore on the regular axles as the drum and hub are one piece and they are considerably heavier to work on. However once you pull the drum you have access to all the brake parts at the same time.

Nothing beats a visual inspection and repacking yourself if you are ok with doing it.



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Old 09-08-2013, 04:17 PM   #5
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I'm saving this presentation for future use (if you don't mind). I know how to do the job but a visual refresher is always helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post this.
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Old 09-08-2013, 04:26 PM   #6
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Very nicely done!!

I packed mine last spring and found the seals had leaked grease into my brake drums on one axle and didn't have any brakes to whole time I was towing it since new. Replaced the backing plates and seals and I have to say that Dexter was great about reimbursing me for everything.
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Old 09-08-2013, 05:20 PM   #7
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Great post Greg. Thanks for taking the time to help others!
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Old 09-08-2013, 05:24 PM   #8
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Excellent Blog Greg! Got it set on my favorites for work in the future! See you in about 2 weeks at Goshen!!
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Old 09-08-2013, 06:14 PM   #9
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Great post Greg. Thanks for taking the time to help others!
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Old 09-09-2013, 12:07 AM   #10
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Wow!!! Just unbelievable that someone could install a brake pad with the backing plate towards the rotor and the brake lining towards the pistons!!! Holy smokes!!!

I am surprised that your 5er did not catch fire and burn while going down the road. That is just flat out scary.
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Old 09-09-2013, 01:14 AM   #11
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I'm a bit embarrassed that I did not catch it sooner. I had just switched to the discs and then we went out to Q and the desert for the winter.

The brakes were soooo much better than the old drums I assumed all was ok. It's gonna be interesting to see how the brakes are now that I have all 4 working.

I'm really more concerned though about how the nuts were torqued though. One bearing was definitely going bad and it was just a matter of time till the wheel headed in its own direction.

Again... why its a good idea to check and repack them. Its also exactly why I decided to go with the old fashioned grease seals rather than the easy lube when I changed to the discs. It forces me to pull the wheels and look around rather than just giving it some squirts of grease and thinking all is ok.
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Old 09-09-2013, 02:40 AM   #12
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I'm a bit embarrassed that I did not catch it sooner. I had just switched to the discs and then we went out to Q and the desert for the winter.

The brakes were soooo much better than the old drums I assumed all was ok. It's gonna be interesting to see how the brakes are now that I have all 4 working.

I'm really more concerned though about how the nuts were torqued though. One bearing was definitely going bad and it was just a matter of time till the wheel headed in its own direction.

Again... why its a good idea to check and repack them. Its also exactly why I decided to go with the old fashioned grease seals rather than the easy lube when I changed to the discs. It forces me to pull the wheels and look around rather than just giving it some squirts of grease and thinking all is ok.
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Old 09-09-2013, 03:31 AM   #13
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Thank you so much for this presentation. Very well done!

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Old 09-09-2013, 08:41 AM   #14
h2ojocky
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Great post Greg. Thanks for taking the time to help others!
Russ
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Old 09-09-2013, 12:07 PM   #15
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Great Post. Thanks for your effort in educating many on this form. Jim
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Old 09-09-2013, 12:11 PM   #16
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Thanks for taking the time to do the post. Great information.
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Old 09-10-2013, 05:20 PM   #17
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Thanks Greg, I repacked my bearings this last spring and found I had used the 2-1/8" seals instead of the 2-1/4". Needless to say I had to replace all of my shoes, but upon further inspection I noticed the metal square that activates the brake shoes on one wheel was missing, rendering that brake useless. A call to Dexter remedied the situation. Good info, well presented.
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Old 09-13-2013, 12:57 PM   #18
Tom S.
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Greg, who did the brake install? Did they offer any remedy like parts or reimbursement?
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Old 09-13-2013, 01:29 PM   #19
Gkerlin
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It was done by MorRyde. They sent me new rotor, caliper and pads. Got them in two days - the job is finished.

I did have a bad bearing due to over tightening and had to replace that too. I'm going to talk to them when I'm up in Goshen at the Rally.

I've got a spare set of Bearings and Races now that I've added to my parts inventory.. Timkens - US made.
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Old 09-13-2013, 03:19 PM   #20
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Excellent job and presentation....certainly glad you found the issues out before it became a real problem.

Hope to see you at Q if you are going next year.

Les
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