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Finder9's avatar
Finder9
Explorer
Aug 18, 2013

Hub and Wheel Failure on Trip

Will try to keep this short. Friend of mine towing a 2009 Aliner has had TWO hub and wheel failures while on an extended trip. The second failure has occurred in Newfoundland. From what I can extract from abbreviated conversations is that excessive heat has caused the lubrication in the hub to evaporate causing bearings to fail, hub to seize, and expensive repairs to follow. This happened AGAIN today.
Only this time the wheel actually broke (aluminum I think)and the axle sustained damage. I have never heard of this occurring in 25 years of rv'ing.
To me, heat is generated by friction. But friction from what? Brake pads? Failed or improperly installed brake controller? Too much voltage to brakes?
Any and all comments appreciated. It's a sad situation he's in.
Thanks.

19 Replies

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  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2013
    Unless a fault in the braking system can be repeated, it would be difficult to point to one thing that caused the hub damage. Excessive heat that destroys a hub suddenly could be caused by lack of lubrication, bearing failure from wear, or improper installation of the bearings. The damage could have been caused by a radical axle alignment offset but one would think that the owner would notice excessive tire wear before the hub failed.
  • mooky_stinks's avatar
    mooky_stinks
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2013
    I did read your first post. From your first post you stated he had two failures when he in reality has had 4? It's not really clear.
  • Finder9's avatar
    Finder9
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    Mook, you didn't read the first post. This was the second time it's happened on the SAME trip - - after BOTH hubs were replaced and serviced. Assuming the lube was satisfactory after the first repair, what is the cause for the second event? Bearings were checked/serviced annually.
  • Gale_Hawkins's avatar
    Gale_Hawkins
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    Might look at TST TPMS to catch the wheels getting hot before they damage to the point of a major failure.
  • mooky_stinks's avatar
    mooky_stinks
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    Finder9 wrote:
    Regular grease. Was inspected by State inspection station prior to trip and passed, has been used for many long distance trips but this trip is a new tow vehicle with new brake controller.


    Here in NY they don't check for grease during an inspection. Had the bearings been serviced since new? You stated it's "been used for many long trips". It's strange that in 25 years of RVing you've never heard of this? I'd be very surprised if it WASN'T lack of grease. That's why one went and then the other shortly after. I see this on the highway all the time. Bearing fails which takes out the hub and if you don't stop soon enough, the wheel,tire,and fender.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    Over greasing will cause excessive heating.
    Check brake system based on above post.
  • Finder9's avatar
    Finder9
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    Regular grease. Was inspected by State inspection station prior to trip and passed, has been used for many long distance trips but this trip is a new tow vehicle with new brake controller.
  • mich800's avatar
    mich800
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    Lack of lubrication causes excess friction and subsequent failure. Are these oil bath hubs or regular grease? Most likely the lack of lubrication caused the heat, not the other way around.

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