I took all 6 hubs off of my RV and it looks like the bearings have spun on the spindle. I have very slight galling On spindles and brown heat marks on bearing were it touches the spindle.On the outer bearings and 2 of the inner bearings too. Nuts were at the right adjustment And grease was black. No seals were bad. Only grease on outside of 2 rims. So grease got hot and came out around dustcap on 2 wheels. Replace all 12 bearings and races? and of course all the seals.

Yes, replace all bearings, races, and seals.

The bearings having spun on the spindle would concern me. I would be concerned that the present bearings are a little large in diameter and thus the spinning. Don't use the old ones to get new ones. Make sure you get the right ones. The axle maker or the RV maker can help.

Too much grease will cause heating. Only fill the bearings 1/3 with grease.

If the bearing had spun on the spindle there would be deep marks. It's not uncommon to get brown ugly grease on the spindle under the bearing, but that doesn't mean they spun. I run replaced the bearings/races/seals/grease at all 4 corners this summer and saw some nasty grease on the spindle but there was zero evidence of a bearing spinning on the spindle.It's still a good idea to start fresh. The OEM bearings are almost always cheap Chinese bearings, and they look like it compared to a nice Timken. If you plan to keep the trailer a while put in good bearings and check them annually.On a side note, what are you using for wheels/tires? That toy hauler must be putting you over 6,400 on the rear axle, especially with an extra 600lbs of diesel in the bed.

Play it safe and tear it down once, replace all bearings and races and be through with it. :)

How to tell if your wheel bearings are bad. | Good Sam Community

46 Replies

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2014
Very true, many times too much grease is as bad as too little.
martipr
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Bearings are not greased, bearings are packed. There is a great difference and if you don't know it learn or let someone who does pack them. In 47 years of aircraft maintenance I have seen many, many thousands dollars of damage and one death from improperly packed bearings.
AH64ID
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
I use Amsoil NLGI #2 wheel bearing grease.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/grease/synthetic-multi-purpose-grease-nlgi-2/?code=GLC3P-EA
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 20, 2014
ken burke wrote:
What is the best grease to lube rv bearings? Any high temp grease will do?
thanks kwb

I only use grease made just for wheel bearings. Do not mix different types of grease.
ken_burke
Explorer
Aug 20, 2014
What is the best grease to lube rv bearings? Any high temp grease will do?
thanks kwb
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014
WOW 40 responses and 5 pages.

This is almost as good as a WalMart thread.

Carry on.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2014
What did the origin of manufacture say on the bearings?

Sometimes I wonder if timken has the boxes made in the usa and shipped to China?
AH64ID
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014
RJsfishin wrote:
Each our own thoughts on that too.

Just going by what the manufacturer recommends.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014
Each our own thoughts on that too.
AH64ID
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014
To do it correctly will require the replacement of a seal, seeing as the zerk doesn't alleviate the requirement to remove the bearings and repack them.

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How to tell if your wheel bearings are bad.

46 Replies

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