Wheel Bearing OR Brake Failure?
In the last year we have had two wheel bearing failures on our Flagstaff Classic Super Light 5th Wheel Trailer (2007). Our tow vehicle is a 2007 Toyota Tundra four wheel drive (5.7 liter engine) with ...
Forum Discussion
davideh wrote:
My questions:
1. Is the wire chafing a possible cause and have others observed this problem?
2. Are wheel bearing failures common and what are the typical causes (besides lack of grease and overloaded)?
3. What additional inspections / maintenance might stop these failures?
Davideh
1. No...wire shorting would cause less braking...depending on your controller...you will get a fault message. Is it possible that your breakaway switch has been accidentally pulled?/ or faulty?
2. Not with regular maintenance.
3. If the breakaway system hasn't been active for some reason...I really cannot offer much. You say it's been on the curb side both time...has it been the same axle?
If it's only been one spindle...then that would draw my attention next.
Personally, I would start by picking a pet axle...replace both brake assemblies, install new Timken bearing cones and races as a pair, new quality double lipped grease seal...remove ALL the old grease. Get NEW grease and pack those bearing FULL of grease with a packing tool... Dexter axle has a list of recommended grease... I believe AL-KO just recommends a NGLI #2 with Lithium based soaps...and a minimum drop point of 400 degrees F. Don't mix greases...pick one of the recommended greases and stick with it. Follow the mfg. instructions for proper sequence for tightening the axle nut. Adjust the brakes following the mfg. instructions. Now...when you start towing...make a stop occasionally. Go back and put your hand on the axle hub...are they all running cool...do you have a hot one? Is it your pet axle or the other one? You have to figure out how to pinpoint the location of the problem...if there is one.
Do your axles become submerged at all?
I'm kinda at a loss...because carefully serviced axle hubs, done on an annual basis, that don't get submerged in water --- have NEVER been a problem that I know of. If someone puts in cheap bearings...or under-rated bearings...over tighten or under tighten the axle nut...you can start to have problem...but you're looking at catastrophic problems.
