Mission accomplished!!! (Bearing service)

[shadows4]

Serviced my wheel bearings today. I haven't done a service on them since I have had the trailer. I found out the 5er has EZ lube axles.

After I got the first one apart I took the bearings and seal to the local trailer supply. I had them match up the seal and look at the bearings. I didn't think they looked wore out. One of the mechanics checked them out said they looked ok.

Just for the heck of it I asked how much for new bearings and seals. It was only about $14 an axle for new bearings and grease seals so I bought 5 sets. Decided to buy an extra set to keep in the trailer.

Went back home and completed the job in about 4 hrs. The EZ Lube works pretty well. This is a job I will definately do probably every two years from now on. It really wasn't hard to do, just labor intensive. (First time I have ever done trailer bearings)

We have about a 1,000 mile trip coming up and I had a nagging feeling I was going to endup on the side of the road with a bearing failure. Now I can rest assured I have take the steps to prevent this. Now to load the 5er up. It's going to be a long week at work I feel.

Oh Oh!! Almost forgot!! When I put each wheel back together I adjusted the brakes as they seemed weak. Well guess what??? Two of the four didn't work at all. Both of them had what looked like cut wires on the backing plate. Can't wait to try them out now!!!

[JIMNLIN]

op wrote:
Believe me, the next time I do a service on the bearings I will replace all with Timkens. Oh and I won't metion it here. Thanks for all the replies, John

Yeah some folks tend to dog pile for whatever reasons. The first 2-3 replies warning about matched race sets was plenty and after that there simply wasn't the need = dog pile.
I wouldn't worry other than do a normal once a year wheel check that you should be doing anyway.
And every fuel stop or rest stop hand feel the wheels centers temp (hub temp) and feel for the hotter one or use a hand held laser temp gun.....especially after a long run at interstate speeds.

When I was on the road the temp gun wasn't born yet so we felt tire/wheel/hub temps and thumped the tires. Get a gun which makes it quick and easy...and fun. I find it amazing I can now shoot the back side of the hubs on the other side of the trailer from underside looking for a hot running hub/bearing. You will also find tires/wheels and hubs can run much hotter on the lee side of the trailer in strong sidewinds.
Check out Dexter website for maintaining trailer brakes http://www.dexteraxle.com/faq_s

[cummins2014]

Johnny_H wrote:

Gib3633 wrote:
Come on Guys: We haven't questioned OP's ability to properly adjust those mismatched bearings. That is always the most controversial topic in these forums. We must get that one going.

That and the fact he probably let his kids be born naked or something weird like that. Is it best to replace races with bearings yes, is the fact that the OP didn't and the bearings he replaced were not actually hurt probably going to cause the wheel to blow up and aliens come steal his naked babies, probably not. However I do not understand why everyone has to jump over this. When he purchased the bearings it would have been in his best interest if the salesman would have recommended races, but chances are he didn't have a clue. So to the OP, now that you know how to get in there and change the bearings the next time after your trip and you have a few hours to kill go and get yourself some quality bearings and races in a matched set and just redo what you partially done this time and maybe the aliens will bring your naked babies back and maybe you won't get the **** beat out of you on here again and you can feel better about life in general, but please do not state which particular grease you chose to use since that would start an entirely different beating. In the meantime, enjoy your trip and have a great day!!!

Totally agree, hopefully the OP learned his lesson reporting something on here. Only thing I can add is hopefully everything was wiped clean ,and the bearings were hand packed, and set right. If so he is good to go

[Johnny_H]

Gib3633 wrote:
Come on Guys: We haven't questioned OP's ability to properly adjust those mismatched bearings. That is always the most controversial topic in these forums. We must get that one going.

That and the fact he probably let his kids be born naked or something weird like that. Is it best to replace races with bearings yes, is the fact that the OP didn't and the bearings he replaced were not actually hurt probably going to cause the wheel to blow up and aliens come steal his naked babies, probably not. However I do not understand why everyone has to jump over this. When he purchased the bearings it would have been in his best interest if the salesman would have recommended races, but chances are he didn't have a clue. So to the OP, now that you know how to get in there and change the bearings the next time after your trip and you have a few hours to kill go and get yourself some quality bearings and races in a matched set and just redo what you partially done this time and maybe the aliens will bring your naked babies back and maybe you won't get the **** beat out of you on here again and you can feel better about life in general, but please do not state which particular grease you chose to use since that would start an entirely different beating. In the meantime, enjoy your trip and have a great day!!!

[Gib3633]

Come on Guys: We haven't questioned OP's ability to properly adjust those mismatched bearings. That is always the most controversial topic in these forums. We must get that one going.

[Sport45]

shadows4 wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
After all that theory, I bet you are going to be on edge for the upcoming trip. :h

I don't disagree with all the theory here, however I am assuming you wiped the races clean and made sure they looked good. If so i would go with the following advice:

I would monitor hub temps with a IR thermometer though.

It's not like the $15/axle bearing sets were run in at the factory to match the rollers to the races. They just get a cage out of one bin, a race out of another and wrap them up together.

I use my paws instead of the IR shooter.

If all feels god after the run in of 100 miles or however you want to use as a yard stick, you should be good to go.

Oh and don't forget to let us know that the trip went well, so all of us theory folks can immediately come back and say you were lucky.

Thanks Dave for bringing some sanity to this thread. I thought I did something right but I guess I only did it half right. I know that the races should really be replaced at the same time, I was just trying to save a couple of bucks. I will do as you advised and monitor the bearings.

I was happier that I found the cut wires and repaired them than the bearings.

Believe me, the next time I do a service on the bearings I will replace all with Timkens. Oh and I won't metion it here. Thanks for all the replies, John

Maybe I should have titled this thread "Mission half accomplised!!!

My post (quoted by Dave) wasn't meant to rain on your parade. I've replaced many bearings in old races back in the day and often reused the grease seals, I haven't always had the disposable income I have now. I don't once remember one of the frankengearings failing on me prior to its next service inspection. Monitor the temps looking for differences between the wheels. I've used my mitt for this in the past until I left a good bit of hide on one, quickly p
Learned to the spit test before touching. If the spit sizzles there's s problem. A squirt from a water bottle works too if you're so inclined

[allen8106]

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I never put new bearings in old races. They should be sold in sets. And replaced in sets. I know that you can buy them sepearate. Bearings can vary in demenions if made by different manuafctors. It's a gamble but its your trailer.

The mechanic's coments would be correct if you were reusing the old bearings. Even then the bearing should be placed back in the original race.

I agree, my Dad taught me how to work on vehicles and he always told me to NEVER repace bearings without replacing the races. He said the races become "grooved" from the bearing and not replacing the races will cause the bearings to wear out quicker that they should.

[Bird_Freak]

I hope you hand packed the bearings with grease instead of just hitting with a grease gun.

[Dave_H_M]

John, hate to keep beating this dead horse, But the last time i bought Timkens they were not made in the USA?

:R I thought camping was spose to be fun. :W

[larry_barnhart]

shadows4 wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
After all that theory, I bet you are going to be on edge for the upcoming trip. :h

I don't disagree with all the theory here, however I am assuming you wiped the races clean and made sure they looked good. If so i would go with the following advice:

I would monitor hub temps with a IR thermometer though.

It's not like the $15/axle bearing sets were run in at the factory to match the rollers to the races. They just get a cage out of one bin, a race out of another and wrap them up together.

I use my paws instead of the IR shooter.

If all feels god after the run in of 100 miles or however you want to use as a yard stick, you should be good to go.

Oh and don't forget to let us know that the trip went well, so all of us theory folks can immediately come back and say you were lucky.

Thanks Dave for bringing some sanity to this thread. I thought I did something right but I guess I only did it half right. I know that the races should really be replaced at the same time, I was just trying to save a couple of bucks. I will do as you advised and monitor the bearings.

I was happier that I found the cut wires and repaired them than the bearings.

Believe me, the next time I do a service on the bearings I will replace all with Timkens. Oh and I won't metion it here. Thanks for all the replies, John

Maybe I should have titled this thread "Mission half accomplised!!!

I sometimes feel the information given is not wanted as it is said BUT another person does not know what you or me is thinking and give what they feel is what they would do. I overkill everything so I have to be careful telling others information. So let it go and remember safe is best.

chevman

[Cummins12V98]

shadows4 wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
After all that theory, I bet you are going to be on edge for the upcoming trip. :h

I don't disagree with all the theory here, however I am assuming you wiped the races clean and made sure they looked good. If so i would go with the following advice:

I would monitor hub temps with a IR thermometer though.

It's not like the $15/axle bearing sets were run in at the factory to match the rollers to the races. They just get a cage out of one bin, a race out of another and wrap them up together.

I use my paws instead of the IR shooter.

If all feels god after the run in of 100 miles or however you want to use as a yard stick, you should be good to go.

Oh and don't forget to let us know that the trip went well, so all of us theory folks can immediately come back and say you were lucky.

Thanks Dave for bringing some sanity to this thread. I thought I did something right but I guess I only did it half right. I know that the races should really be replaced at the same time, I was just trying to save a couple of bucks. I will do as you advised and monitor the bearings.

I was happier that I found the cut wires and repaired them than the bearings.

Believe me, the next time I do a service on the bearings I will replace all with Timkens. Oh and I won't metion it here. Thanks for all the replies, John

Maybe I should have titled this thread "Mission half accomplised!!!

I don't think anyone was criticizing YOU for what you did. You obviously thought you did the right thing.

Personally I think the parts place should have advised you to just replace the seals and re use the bearings if all the bearings looked like the one you showed the mechanic.

i think the comments on this thread were good info for those that really don't know about these things and I am sure some novices appreciated the comments.

Don't loose any sleep over it!

[FlatBroke]

shadows4 wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
After all that theory, I bet you are going to be on edge for the upcoming trip. :h

I don't disagree with all the theory here, however I am assuming you wiped the races clean and made sure they looked good. If so i would go with the following advice:

I would monitor hub temps with a IR thermometer though.

It's not like the $15/axle bearing sets were run in at the factory to match the rollers to the races. They just get a cage out of one bin, a race out of another and wrap them up together.

I use my paws instead of the IR shooter.

If all feels god after the run in of 100 miles or however you want to use as a yard stick, you should be good to go.

Oh and don't forget to let us know that the trip went well, so all of us theory folks can immediately come back and say you were lucky.

Thanks Dave for bringing some sanity to this thread. I thought I did something right but I guess I only did it half right. I know that the races should really be replaced at the same time, I was just trying to save a couple of bucks. I will do as you advised and monitor the bearings.

I was happier that I found the cut wires and repaired them than the bearings.

Believe me, the next time I do a service on the bearings I will replace all with Timkens. Oh and I won't metion it here. Thanks for all the replies, John

Maybe I should have titled this thread "Mission half accomplised!!!

Was in the farm equipment business for 50 years. Seen more than my share of wheel bearings being replaced. Saw tons of perfectly good bearings thrown in the trash. Seen many bearing cones replaced without replacinging the cups. Believe me most of the time it's no big deal unless things were destroyed. There is always folks on the forum going to try to burst your bubble. Just don't come on and tell them what your pulling with, they will unmercifully bust your butt. LOL

[shadows4]

Dave H M wrote:
After all that theory, I bet you are going to be on edge for the upcoming trip. :h

I don't disagree with all the theory here, however I am assuming you wiped the races clean and made sure they looked good. If so i would go with the following advice:

I would monitor hub temps with a IR thermometer though.

It's not like the $15/axle bearing sets were run in at the factory to match the rollers to the races. They just get a cage out of one bin, a race out of another and wrap them up together.

I use my paws instead of the IR shooter.

If all feels god after the run in of 100 miles or however you want to use as a yard stick, you should be good to go.

Oh and don't forget to let us know that the trip went well, so all of us theory folks can immediately come back and say you were lucky.

Thanks Dave for bringing some sanity to this thread. I thought I did something right but I guess I only did it half right. I know that the races should really be replaced at the same time, I was just trying to save a couple of bucks. I will do as you advised and monitor the bearings.

I was happier that I found the cut wires and repaired them than the bearings.

Believe me, the next time I do a service on the bearings I will replace all with Timkens. Oh and I won't metion it here. Thanks for all the replies, John

Maybe I should have titled this thread "Mission half accomplised!!!

[RAS43]

ChopperBill wrote:
$14 a set for bearings and seals? I installed all new Timkem cones and cups (no Chinese) and it cost a bunch more than that.

OP didn't replace the cups so cost was lower but still seemed low to me.

[waltbennett]

The good thing about the EZ Lube hubs is that you don't have to pull wheels & drums to repack (and replace seals). The bad thing is that while you're rotating the wheel & slowly pumping grease in, sooner or later you've got to scoop out the old from the opening - the edge of that thing is like a razor and can cut your fingers easily! I've regreased mine three times now and still get at least one nick or more.