Just got back from a 5,000 mile trip up to the Northeast and back. Great trip except for two blowouts and one of these two replacement tires coming off while I was tooling down the road. Long story and I'm still dealing with the repairs, but it got me to thinking. My Sunnybrook fiver is a 2003 with NeverLube bearings which, until this trip, I was thinking was really "never lube", but after three road service calls, I'm thinking I'd like to avoid that in the future for a burnt bearing.Anyone have the instructions for both checking the bearings to see if they need maintenance and if so, how to lube them? I think I saw it on this forum once, but a search did not find it.

If they are Dexter Nev-R Lube then they cannot be lubed. They do fail, I have them and had one die near SLC. You can look on the Dexter site and find a manual for them. All you can do is check the wobble or runout of the bearings to see if they are about to fail. The wise Nev-r Lube owner at a minimum carries a set of rebuild parts or better yet an extra hub with bearings already pressed in. Finding someone on the road to press in new bearings can be trying, took me three days and they bungled the job.They cannot be replaced with other bearings unless you replace the whole axle.

Here are some videos from youtube, I check mine every year during Spring prep and clean and repack them every other year although they still have plenty of grease on them. I prefer doing them myself knowing they will be done properly, too many stories about having them done by a service center only to have problems shortly thereafter.

Sandia Man wrote:Here are some videos from youtube, I check mine every year during Spring prep and clean and repack them every other year although they still have plenty of grease on them. I prefer doing them myself knowing they will be done properly, too many stories about having them done by a service center only to have problems shortly thereafter.OPs are 'never-lube' bearings..they are sealed and can not be lubed.OP.......change out axles OR carry at minimum a set of new bearings

Sandia Man wrote:Here are some videos from youtube, I check mine every year during Spring prep and clean and repack them every other year although they still have plenty of grease on them. I prefer doing them myself knowing they will be done properly, too many stories about having them done by a service center only to have problems shortly thereafter.greased, period.If they are Nev-r lube (Never Lube) they are sealed and cannot be greased. Dexter

never lube bearings | Good Sam Community

shadoow
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
i have a 2009 Cedar Creek 34sats that came with never-lube wheel bearings. Did the wobble check periodically as that's all that could be done without disassembly. Had one fail earlier this year. It caused the wheel to cock on the spindle which caused the tire to rub on the shock mount. Wife saw smoke in her review mirror. Stopped the trailer and had to put out a small fire in the bearing cavity. Ended up pulling the wheel and limping to a trailer shop 20 miles away on 3 wheels. The damage to the axle necessitated replacement. I had them install 2 7000# axles with standard hubs/bearings, etc. I'll NEVER own another trailer with never-lube bearings.
Chiefcpo
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
2014 Landmark San Antonio I just ordered (delivery in 6 weeks) has them on the 7000# axles. Just wish there was a new info sheet on them. Now I need to do more checking about them.
Wildcatbrownhou
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
I went to Advance Auto Parts and purchased a hyperdermick needle soldered to a grease fitting. You can push the needle in the edge of the seal and rotate the bearing and get all the grease you need in the bearing. I have been doing this for years now on all types of sealed bearings. Works for me. Good luck
AniJet
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
agesilaus wrote:
AniJet wrote:
agesilaus wrote:
$140? You can buy Timken replacement bearings from Amazon for $32 ea delivered:

Timkin

BK

That is a Ford Taurus rear wheel bearing. Not even close.
Here is a possibility depending on the axle weight rating.
eTrailer
It will be either a 35, 42 or 50MM Cartridge.

Nope that fits on my Titanium 6000# axle Nev-r lube. Bought two and had one installed with the other as a spare. They come in different sizes depending on the axle.

BK

More info for anyone interested.
RAS43
Explorer III
Oct 06, 2013
agesilaus wrote:
Michelle.S wrote:
If I'm not mistaken, aren't the Never-R-Lubes only warrantied for 5 years or 100K miles?? I didn't even know Dexter had them 8 years ago.

They were used on Titaniums in the first half of the 2000's anyway. My impression is that Dexter dropped them, but still supports the old ones.

Yes, the warranty is as you stated and my trailer, also built in '04 has the original bearings and they checked okay this spring. I am planning to replace them next spring just for peace of mind. Dexter has not dropped them and many new trailers still come with them.
As far as cost, My axles are 7000lbs and use the 50mm bearings and I can't find them for anywhere close to the $32 you found on Amazon for your Titanium.
MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
I had a Nev-r-lube bearing fail on me last year,i replaced them all and plan to replace them in three more years. I also have the Tire minderclick system on all my tires,they will sense bearing over-heat before it's too late,money well invested!
agesilaus
Explorer III
Oct 06, 2013
AniJet wrote:
agesilaus wrote:
$140? You can buy Timken replacement bearings from Amazon for $32 ea delivered:

Timkin

BK

That is a Ford Taurus front wheel bearing. Not even close.
Here is a possibility depending on the axle weight rating.
eTrailer
It will be either a 35, 42 or 50MM Cartridge.

Nope that fits on my Titanium 6000# axle Nev-r lube. Bought two and had one installed with the other as a spare. They come in different sizes depending on the axle.

BK
AniJet
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
agesilaus wrote:
$140? You can buy Timken replacement bearings from Amazon for $32 ea delivered:

Timkin

BK

That is a Ford Taurus rear wheel bearing. Not even close.
Here is a possibility depending on the axle weight rating.
eTrailer
It will be either a 35, 42 or 50MM Cartridge.
restlesswind
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
jamway wrote:
Michelle.S wrote:
If I'm not mistaken, aren't the Never-R-Lubes only warrantied for 5 years or 100K miles?? I didn't even know Dexter had them 8 years ago.

I trailer came with Never-R-Lube bearing in Dec. 2004. I have replaced two and may replace the other two soon.

Same here.Though,I am thinking of replacing the axles and all,wit greasable bearings.
jamway
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
Michelle.S wrote:
If I'm not mistaken, aren't the Never-R-Lubes only warrantied for 5 years or 100K miles?? I didn't even know Dexter had them 8 years ago.

I trailer came with Never-R-Lube bearing in Dec. 2004. I have replaced two and may replace the other two soon.

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