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04-19-2023, 04:18 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,952
M.O.C. #20477
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Pack Wheel Bearings
Decided to tackle the annual job of packing my wheel bearings and inspecting my brakes this morning. When I was in the shop buying seals a couple of days ago I considered having them do it but decided as a retired guy I have plenty of time to tackle it.
I have noted the tires and wheels seem to get a little heavier each year but I am still able to handle them.
One of the brake springs had come loose but it must have just happened as there was no damage. The brake inspection is the most important part of the job. I also checked torque on all the suspension bolts and did not find any loose.
All completed in 3.5 hours.
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Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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04-19-2023, 07:57 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,712
M.O.C. #12947
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I don't even try to wrestle them anymore. I've been using one of these for years, lifts the tire/wheel without much effort.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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04-19-2023, 08:01 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 946
M.O.C. #30262
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I had to learn years ago as a scrawny young messing with semi tires. I use a long tire iron and use it to lever the wheel back up and over the studs. Sure saves the back now days....
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Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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04-19-2023, 08:03 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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3.5 hours is pretty quick, not bad.
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2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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04-19-2023, 08:15 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,952
M.O.C. #20477
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In a past life, I made my living spinning wrenches.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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04-20-2023, 04:18 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,433
M.O.C. #21044
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rohrmann
I don't even try to wrestle them anymore. I've been using one of these for years, lifts the tire/wheel without much effort.
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Bob - what do you call that thing for an Amazon search?
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MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
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04-20-2023, 05:53 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,716
M.O.C. #24086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie
Bob - what do you call that thing for an Amazon search?
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I searched for tire jack and found this. A bit pricey.
I lay a block of wood on the ground then use the tire iron to pry it up and wiggle until it lines up with the lugs.
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04-20-2023, 07:54 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mountain Home
Posts: 845
M.O.C. #20949
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DIY with the hub bearings and brakes is the only way to know the task is done right and the condition of your races, bearings, brake shoes.. At age 69+ I still am able to DIY.. the 14 ply tires are a bit awkward but when I am ready to install I just sit flat on my butt and angle the tire inward and lift up to install on the top lug bolt..
Another often overlooked item when the hub is removed is the spring clip that holds the magnet wire out of the way to prevent damage..
I also use my 6 point hyd level up system to raise 1 side up at a time and do the bearings and grease the suspension..
Starting my 10th season on the original brakes, bearings and races.. All Dexter OEM... about 40K miles now on the fifth wheel
** Spec on brake shoe wear is (1/16th) of shoe lining is time to replace.. As you can see after 9 years I am now where near that on my fifth wheel
First image is what my inner and outer bearings (Dexter OEM) look like after all these years..
Second image is the condition of the brake assy.. Yellow arrows point to where one will often find a bit of "fretting" on the spindle and I use crocus cloth to dress up these areas on the spindle..
Just above the two yellow arrows you will see a small spring clip.. Make sure this is in place or you will find your magnet wires all mangled up sooner or later..
** have seen this clip missing on a lot of the later year RVs (2020-2022) .. Thats an assembly error on Dexter's part..
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04-20-2023, 09:44 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,716
M.O.C. #24086
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__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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04-20-2023, 10:50 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,712
M.O.C. #12947
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie
Bob - what do you call that thing for an Amazon search?
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It’s a STANLEY SUPER WONDER BAR. I think it’s 15 1/2” long.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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04-20-2023, 12:20 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,433
M.O.C. #21044
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A few months ago - one of the front tires on my Chevy picked up an nail and went flat - conveniently it was in the carport. I put the spare on and took it to Discount Tire since the tire was only 3 weeks old. That was the first tire I had handled in maybe 10 or 15 years (knock on wood). I either did not realize how heavy these big tires are - or maybe my arms are not the same at 68 as they were at 38. The crow bar helper is now in my RV tool box.
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MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
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04-24-2023, 10:47 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,929
M.O.C. #19755
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Just curious, I weighed one of my truck wheels. No wonder my arms hurt.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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04-26-2023, 01:10 PM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lakewood
Posts: 15
M.O.C. #13103
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Greasing Wheel Bearing
OK..so here is my question. Why do you grease the bearings once a year or whatever...when the same wheel bearings on your tow vehicle never receive this attention - and go for who knows how many miles? Just asking...
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04-26-2023, 01:11 PM
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#14
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Fort Gratiot
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #27052
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Exactly how does that contraption work?
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04-26-2023, 01:46 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SW Ranches
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #7577
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An opinion only...
First of all, nothing wrong with checking the bearings on your tow vehicle often.
I believe the tow vehicle suspensions are built to a much higher standard and are above the minimum requirements based on capacity.
RV suspension on the other hand, are built to the very minimum requirements based on weight capacity. And, many of us overload our cargo at times therefore exceeding what the suspension was designed to carry.
Add that a lot of RVs sit unused for months at a time.
Often we have heard "the other day I checked my bearings and found X or Y was bad, broken, or whatever."
Checking and inspecting you suspension just prevents potential problems.
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04-26-2023, 01:56 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,952
M.O.C. #20477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 50sboy
OK..so here is my question. Why do you grease the bearings once a year or whatever...when the same wheel bearings on your tow vehicle never receive this attention - and go for who knows how many miles? Just asking...
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Bud,
Unless your tow vehicle is from the 60s or 70s it has sealed bearings that never need to be serviced. You drive them to failure.
Your RV does not have sealed bearings. If you have disk brakes, with fewer issues than drum brakes, you can likely go 2-3 years between packing bearings. The biggest driver for annual service is inspecting the brakes.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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04-26-2023, 07:01 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Frostbite Falls
Posts: 435
M.O.C. #26015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 50sboy
OK..so here is my question. Why do you grease the bearings once a year or whatever...when the same wheel bearings on your tow vehicle never receive this attention - and go for who knows how many miles? Just asking...
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Same here. Used to drive our car & trucks till a brake job was needed & then do bearings.
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