Checking on Wheel Bearing Heat

[DogTrainer]

I was wondering how many of you check your hubs for overheating when you stop and get gas or pit stops.

While driving home from Branson (232 miles total one way) I stopped for gas and two hubs were kind of hot (different axles) but touchable and two were cold. I took the camper yesterday to get the bearings checked. I just had them packed last year and I told the service writer that the technician may have tightened two of them down to tight.

Since repacking last year I have only driven 1200 miles and I don't consider that excessive miles.

I would assume while driving they should all be close to same temperature.

[Dave_H_M]

I think there might be some El Toro poo poo mixed into that mountain. :B

[Sargehut234]

Man O man you people are a mountain of knowledge!
Thanks for being there!
SARGE

[pcm1959]

The touch method is something I learned from my Dad when I was a child. Nothing wrong with it. Using an IR gun just allow you to get into spots you can't do with your hand and allows for an across the board check on things. I have used it extensively shooting it in areas that would be the closet to the bearing which I would not be able to do with my hand. I have thought of removing the center hub cover cap which would allow to shoot the bearing cover which is probably as close as one could get but I have not done so.

[cummins2014]

ford truck guy wrote:
I too use an IR gun.. Just checking to make sure NOTHING stands out... I will find that the sun side will be warmer than the shade side, sometimes as much as 15 degrees...

I also use the "touch" if I am unsure.

Although I went to a TPMS it’s almost too much info . Joking of course, not sure I want to have anymore tools to tell me what’s going on :B But yes the touch method and the TPMS so far has kept me out of trouble.

[ford_truck_guy]

I too use an IR gun.. Just checking to make sure NOTHING stands out... I will find that the sun side will be warmer than the shade side, sometimes as much as 15 degrees...

I also use the "touch" if I am unsure.

[7_3_psdman]

I had problems with one hot drum on each side, two were over 250* and the other two were about 150* so I fixed the wiring to the brakes and then I jacked up one wheel at a time. I check for wobble and spun the wheel to make sure the bearings were okay and then I adjusted the shoes with the star adjusters. I shot about a half a tube of grease in each EZ Lube fitting and I could tell that the wheels spun easier. Got one side finished this morning before it got hot outside.

[jimcatinmi]

Thanks for all the info, Inhad the same question that's why I live this place

[StirCrazy]

Thermoguy wrote:

2oldman wrote:

memtb wrote:
I’d be very surprised if the majority of people could get within 20 degrees of the actual temperature when using there hand.

It's not the actual temperature they're after when using their hands, it's whether the warmth feels all about the same.

Since I have one it's hard to argue the benefits one might argue by not having one. But, mine takes pictures and allows you to see where the heat is. I can tell you from experience, that the tire heat is on the tread, but the bearing heat is not on an area you can touch from the outside of the tire or hub, it's on the inside. You can't touch that area and some bearings can be over 200 degrees. Good luck with your hand. Also, heat is relative, so you are looking for all to be about the same, not an absolute number. In addition, a failed brake has no heat. You're not going to feel that with your hand.

thats not true, if you put your hand on the centre hub cover you will feel if the brakes or berrings are running hot. if it warm your good, if you pull your hand back you may have an issue. you said your self it is over 200 degrees, its all metal and the hub cover will give a bit of air space so you dont instantly melt skin. now you wont know if it is brakes or a berring with out a little more investagation but your not trying to do that on a quick stop, just checking to make sure tires and centre hubs are running at simular temps, this tells you everything is good. if I feel a hot one I will start looking deeper which may mean gettin gout my gun and trying to find the hotest part of the hub from the back.

Steve

[memtb]

2oldman wrote:
My TPMS will show me that the wheels on the sunny side will be 10° warmer than the other. Now, whether bearing heat will show at the edge of the rim.. I don't know.

2oldman, the TPSS system is great......but, the IR gun, is just another tool in your arsenal! memtb

[2oldman]

My TPMS will show me that the wheels on the sunny side will be 10° warmer than the other. Now, whether bearing heat will show at the edge of the rim.. I don't know.

[memtb]

2oldman wrote:

memtb wrote:
I’d be very surprised if the majority of people could get within 20 degrees of the actual temperature when using there hand.

It's not the actual temperature they're after when using their hands, it's whether the warmth feels all about the same.

I’ll buy that to a point! But, I want to know the temperature differential between tires/hubs/ brake drums(if applicable) for each side of the unit.....example , all should be similar on the same side of the unit. Yes....anyone can determine “if” one component is significantly hotter than it’s counterparts...But, by that time it’s likely too likely too late for preventive maintenance!

An example being.... with the IR gun I can determine not only if one component is “warmer” than it’s counterparts.... but determine within a degree or two, the difference from side to side of the unit, caused by loading, road crown, sunlight exposure, etc.! Maybe I am “overreacting” to the importance of this little tool.....but, I’m forming an intense displeasure for roadside or campground work performed in single digit or triple digit temperatures! If this can save me a tire, bearing/hub failure, a dragging brake, or as mentioned a failing truck differential.....it’s a monetary win and some piece of mind! memtb

[Thermoguy]

2oldman wrote:

memtb wrote:
I’d be very surprised if the majority of people could get within 20 degrees of the actual temperature when using there hand.

It's not the actual temperature they're after when using their hands, it's whether the warmth feels all about the same.

Since I have one it's hard to argue the benefits one might argue by not having one. But, mine takes pictures and allows you to see where the heat is. I can tell you from experience, that the tire heat is on the tread, but the bearing heat is not on an area you can touch from the outside of the tire or hub, it's on the inside. You can't touch that area and some bearings can be over 200 degrees. Good luck with your hand. Also, heat is relative, so you are looking for all to be about the same, not an absolute number. In addition, a failed brake has no heat. You're not going to feel that with your hand.

[2oldman]

memtb wrote:
I’d be very surprised if the majority of people could get within 20 degrees of the actual temperature when using there hand.

It's not the actual temperature they're after when using their hands, it's whether the warmth feels all about the same.

[fj12ryder]

"Not to mention, when I check my truck rear differential temperature.....I don’t have to crawl under the truck! memtb"

That's one of the reasons I have one.