Dexter 8k axles, nev-r-lube bearings

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

I went out today to check brakes and bearings. After removing dust cap to nev-r-lube bearings, I thought I would ask the guys that have performed this maintenance before.

Would I be better off just replacing the bearings and hub with bearings that I can visually inspect and service myself? What kind of life can a person expect to get out of the nev-r-lube bearings?

After looking at e-trailer, I notice they also have oil-bath. Is there any advantages to those?

What kind of job am I looking into by tearing into the nev-r-lube, just so I can inspect the brakes. I've done plenty of plain ol' bearings, but I've not ever done these.

I've probably towed this trailer 7k miles and the previous owner even less.:h

[Slownsy]

Glendale didn't do a recall but some bearings and hubs was replaced for free by Glendale, and after they closed the doors Dexter stepped op and supplied new parts hubs or other axles at a discounted prise to many owners.
Frank.

[RustyJC]

Denny & Jami wrote:
Its the design of the hub that can make a difference, the center of the bearing has to be centered on the weight bearing part of the hub. The same goes for the wheels they have to have 0 offset with Nev-R-Lube bearing where standard bearings with take a offset to a point.

If memory serves, it was Titanium (Glendale) that had to do a recall because they supplied offset wheels on their 5th wheels.

Rusty

[Denny___Jami]

AniJet wrote:

Denny & Jami wrote:
Were your original axle Dexter or Lipert, if they were Lipert that was your problem not Never-R-Lube thats a Dexter product. lipert made their own and it was failure. Denny

They were Kodiak hubs on Alko axles. You are correct that Nev-R-Lube is a Dexter name but they both use the same 50mm bearing cartridge. Lippert has never made bearings, they source them from other vendors as does Dexter.

Its the design of the hub that can make a difference, the center of the bearing has to be centered on the weight bearing part of the hub. The same goes for the wheels they have to have 0 offset with Nev-R-Lube bearing where standard bearings with take a offset to a point.

Denny

[mbrower]

AniJet wrote:

Denny & Jami wrote:
Were your original axle Dexter or Lipert, if they were Lipert that was your problem not Never-R-Lube thats a Dexter product. lipert made their own and it was failure. Denny

They were Kodiak hubs on Alko axles. You are correct that Nev-R-Lube is a Dexter name but they both use the same 50mm bearing cartridge. Lippert has never made bearings, they source them from other vendors as does Dexter.

This is true but as I understand, incorrect offset of the wheels provided by RV/axel manufacturers was a major cause of bearing failure. Dexter as I understand always warned against using wheels with any offset. Not an expert but this is what I read/learned from research when I found out my RV came with never-lube bearings.

[AniJet]

Denny & Jami wrote:
Were your original axle Dexter or Lipert, if they were Lipert that was your problem not Never-R-Lube thats a Dexter product. lipert made their own and it was failure. Denny

They were Kodiak hubs on Alko axles. You are correct that Nev-R-Lube is a Dexter name but they both use the same 50mm bearing cartridge. Lippert has never made bearings, they source them from other vendors as does Dexter.

[Denny___Jami]

AniJet wrote:
2 year old Nev-R-Lub left me stranded for a week waiting for a new axle. I have since switched to the old fashion repackable bearings when I had the MorRyde suspension installed. I use to check the hubs with a temp gun but when it failed we had been driving for about 3 hours and I don't remember if I checked the temp during the prior stop but doubt it would have indicated a failure pending 3 hours later. I believe a failure of this type happens quickly.

Were your original axle Dexter or Lipert, if they were Lipert that was your problem not Never-R-Lube thats a Dexter product. lipert made their own and it was failure.

Denny

[mbrower]

blofgren wrote:
Where is the best place to buy a spare hub and Nevrlube bearing assembly? They want my first born for one here in Canada so I am thinking of ordering one in the US and have it shipped to my post office box in Blaine. Thanks!

The cheapest place I found was www.finditparts.com If you have the 8K axels with hydraulic disc and 9/16 studs the part number would be 008-402-80

I ordered it a while ago and it shows cant verify stock so you may need to call them. I also got a spare 50mm bearing from them.

[pcm1959]

blofgren wrote:
Where is the best place to buy a spare hub and Nevrlube bearing assembly? They want my first born for one here in Canada so I am thinking of ordering one in the US and have it shipped to my post office box in Blaine. Thanks!

I think I'm going to do the same thing. If your axles still have the labels on them from the Dexter factory as mine do, take a phot of the label as it has the numbers on it translate to the exact components of the axle.
I would imagine that Dexter directly will be expensive. E-trailer or even a local shop who can purchase from Dexter will probably be cheapest. I order so genuine Dexter parts from my local authorized Dexter distributor and he was cheaper than me getting them directly from Dexter.

[blofgren]

Where is the best place to buy a spare hub and Nevrlube bearing assembly? They want my first born for one here in Canada so I am thinking of ordering one in the US and have it shipped to my post office box in Blaine. Thanks!

[pcm1959]

We have Never Lube with 8k axles and Dexter disc on our 2014 fiver. We have about 9k miles on the rig. I check the temps with an infrared gun periodically and check for end play when the wheels are off the ground. Dexter recommends doing this check at least every 12k miles and to check the hub caps for excessive grease leaking from the cap seals.
Dexter also says that the wheel should turn freely and quietly when off the ground. That part I find difficult to absorb as each of my wheels turn differently as far as freely is concerned. I attribute that to brake shoe drag. I guess that's normal?
On the subject of oil bath bearings, I have always heard that they offer superior lubrication for wheels in motion. However, they are not recommended for vehicles that set for extended period of time.

[AniJet]

2 year old Nev-R-Lub left me stranded for a week waiting for a new axle. I have since switched to the old fashion repackable bearings when I had the MorRyde suspension installed. I use to check the hubs with a temp gun but when it failed we had been driving for about 3 hours and I don't remember if I checked the temp during the prior stop but doubt it would have indicated a failure pending 3 hours later. I believe a failure of this type happens quickly.

[Pipeman]

Denny & Jami,I had Lippert Axles when the brake drum failed and the bearing was damaged. I now have Dexter axles with greaseable bearings. I never said that I tried to have Lippert bearings put on Dexter axles. Sorry for the confusion.

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

I've got the dexter 8k axles. So far I haven't detected any problems. I've got tpms on all the trailer tires, and it shows tire temp as well as pressure. I've been thinking I may install disc brakes in the next year or two, if I think I'm going to keep the rig around for awhile. If I do that, then problem solved. I sure liked the old bearings better. At least if they failed, it was probably my own fault, even though I never has a failure. It made access for brake inspection/adjustment much easier.

[Denny___Jami]

Pipeman wrote:
I "had" never lubes on my 2009 5er. This past summer while heading out to Alberta, the left rear brake drum broke up and the only thing left was the part that held the wheel studs. When a repairman came to the 5er where we were in a campground in Edmonton, he found the bearing to be damaged. He tried to get a new drum and bearing but Lippert told him they didn't make parts for that axle anymore. So got rid of the never lubes and got 2 new Dexter axles with bearings that can be greased when needed. The summer before last, my repairman, here, was able to change out the never lubes and one fell apart in his hand. I have never liked having them because I could never grease them myself.

Lipert made their own version of Nev-R-Lube, they were not Dexter bearings or axles.

Denny