Heating hub on my fifth wheel

[Jbird]

I have neverlube axles. Towing this week one wheel heated up noticeably and (monitored) tire pressure jumped up too high. I figured a bearing or stuck caliper. When jacked up the wheel in question shows no wiggle,either left-right or top bottom which I would think it would if a bad bearing? Also wheel seems to move the same as its tandem partner. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Vette_Racer]

blofgren wrote:

howardwheeler wrote:
Sorry. I wasn’t clear. I wanted to wind up with two spares. Kinda greedy, isn’t it? I have one extra hub now with the bearing (my one that just failed but now with a new bearing) and one new extra bearing. I just thought if I could get another hub my mechanic, who’s close by, could go on and press it in. Seems better than having someone have to press it in while traveling should I have to replace two hubs. I’m paranoid.

I think I would replace all of them if I had a failure just as preventative maintenance.

X2, that's what I did.

[blofgren]

howardwheeler wrote:
Sorry. I wasn’t clear. I wanted to wind up with two spares. Kinda greedy, isn’t it? I have one extra hub now with the bearing (my one that just failed but now with a new bearing) and one new extra bearing. I just thought if I could get another hub my mechanic, who’s close by, could go on and press it in. Seems better than having someone have to press it in while traveling should I have to replace two hubs. I’m paranoid.

I think I would replace all of them if I had a failure just as preventative maintenance.

[howardwheeler]

Sorry. I wasn’t clear. I wanted to wind up with two spares. Kinda greedy, isn’t it? I have one extra hub now with the bearing (my one that just failed but now with a new bearing) and one new extra bearing. I just thought if I could get another hub my mechanic, who’s close by, could go on and press it in. Seems better than having someone have to press it in while traveling should I have to replace two hubs. I’m paranoid.

[Veebyes]

When all else fails a new axle is not that expensive.

[blofgren]

howardwheeler wrote:
Blofgren: where did you find an entire hub assembly? I have the 8000 lbs Kodiak discs with the Never Lube and can’t find another spare hub. The bearing is easily available but Kodiak has stopped making their hub. Maybe you have a source. I just had a neverlube failure but had my spare hub handy and switched it on the road. I’d like a second one now.

I have Dexter 8k axles with disc brakes so I called a local Dexter dealer and they had one in stock. If your hub is discontinued then your only choice will be to reuse an existing one. It may be a good idea to carry a spare bearing cartridge with you and then you can have a shop press it into your hub if you have an issue while travelling.

[Cummins12V98]

howardwheeler wrote:
Blofgren: where did you find an entire hub assembly? I have the 8000 lbs Kodiak discs with the Never Lube and can’t find another spare hub. The bearing is easily available but Kodiak has stopped making their hub. Maybe you have a source. I just had a neverlube failure but had my spare hub handy and switched it on the road. I’d like a second one now.

Why not use the one you removed, simply replace the bearing.

[Veebyes]

Have the Never Lube bearings as well. No complaints. Over 100,000 miles on them. I do check frequently by going around & giving lug nuts a feel on each wheel everytime at rest stops or destination.

I also carry two spare brake drums with bearings mounted should I ever have a failure.

[howardwheeler]

Blofgren: where did you find an entire hub assembly? I have the 8000 lbs Kodiak discs with the Never Lube and can’t find another spare hub. The bearing is easily available but Kodiak has stopped making their hub. Maybe you have a source. I just had a neverlube failure but had my spare hub handy and switched it on the road. I’d like a second one now.

[laknox]

Jbird wrote:
Just to follow up: The heating problem turned out to be a very minor brake problem and the skyrocketing air pressure was because the repair shop gauge had gone on steroids. But the best news for fellow travelers is that the 50mm bearing ostensibly for Dexter is a perfect fit on my Lippert 8000# and readily available in spite of what one hears from Lippert. thanks all!

Glad you've got some answers. I'm =always= concerned about tire gauges and double-check with my gauge after a shop checks pressures.

Lyle

[Jbird]

Just to follow up: The heating problem turned out to be a very minor brake problem and the skyrocketing air pressure was because the repair shop gauge had gone on steroids. But the best news for fellow travelers is that the 50mm bearing ostensibly for Dexter is a perfect fit on my Lippert 8000# and readily available in spite of what one hears from Lippert. thanks all!

[ford_truck_guy]

The spindle used for those 50mm neverlube bearings will ONLY accept the sealed bearings. IF you are swapping from one to another, you NEED to change the spindle and hub also.

Back in "09" I had the MORryde IS installed on my KZ Montego Bay, They upgraded my hubs and brakes to the 3-3/8" with the 50 mm neverlube bearings. Told me what to do if If I decide to go back.

[laknox]

RAS43 wrote:

laknox wrote:

RAS43 wrote:
Lyle,
You would have to replace the entire axle complete with brakes and hubs. Can be done but I haven't considered it as I like the cartridge style bearing. Like others, I have had good luck with them.

Weird. I've been told by 3 different people that you just replace the hub to do the change. Hmmmm...

Lyle

I'll bet they have never tried that. As mentioned by Durb the spindles (axle ends) are different and won't except regular bearings or seals.

Learn sumpin' ever day! :B

Lyle

[RAS43]

laknox wrote:

RAS43 wrote:
Lyle,
You would have to replace the entire axle complete with brakes and hubs. Can be done but I haven't considered it as I like the cartridge style bearing. Like others, I have had good luck with them.

Weird. I've been told by 3 different people that you just replace the hub to do the change. Hmmmm...

Lyle

I'll bet they have never tried that. As mentioned by Durb the spindles (axle ends) are different and won't except regular bearings or seals.

[Jbird]

Durb wrote:
If you had Dexter NevRlubes it would say so very plainly on the bearing cap. If you want to go to standard bearings you will need to change out the entire axles with the appropriate spindles which would mean different hubs. I remember reading on another forum (so nothing official) that Lippert and Dexter used the same bearing so a 50mm NevRlube cartridge, which is still available, could be pressed into your hub. This may be something you might want to give Dexter a call about. Also from that same post (not from me), Lippert used a nylock retaining nut and inferior washer which had a tendency loosen on one side of the trailer. NevRlubes require the high torque of the retaining nut to hold the inner and outer bearings of the cartridge at the correct spacing. You may also want to re-torque your retention nuts as part of normal maintenance.

I hope your heat rise problem is with your brakes and you can leave the bearings alone.

I like my NevRlube bearings, 10 years and running cool with no maintenance. I carry a spare drum with the bearing pressed in and can change it out roadside in less than twenty minutes. That being said, I have the same size bearings as you and am only towing 10k#.

Ive got the 50mm cartridge that presumably will fit my hub/axle. Will know tomorrow. (Ive seen a number of folks who have carried this bearing as a spare for their Lippert 8000#,but never one who has actually had to use it)