Wheel Bearing Repack

[phillyg]

I have always repacked my own bearings but I just called a local RV facility for a quote. Was just told wheel bearing service is three hours labor for two axles, which is $375 in my area. Seems to me three hours is too long. What does the brain trust say?

[Lynnmor]

Here is one of my faulty Chinese bearings in one season, and I don't drive like a jerk:

[C_Schomer]

I switched to wet brgs. in 2013 when I did the discs. I reused my fine Chinese brgs and installed new $4 Chinese oil seals. I cleaned them for the first time this spring, at 6 1/2 years, new oil in the hubs and greased the caliper pins. The rotors still have the phonograph machine grooves and no problems with any of the Chinese products or seal leaks, whatsoever. And you guys would have stroke if I said how fast I go from Co./Phx. and back! I'll take good maintenance over point of parts origin, any day! Craig

[Huntindog]

fj12ryder wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:
My results don't vary, same as yours, using the Dexter seals , now around $9 ea. Last time I bought them they were less then that. Dexter axles are made in the US, I suspect so does the seals, will have to check next time . Also a double lip seal, and have never had any grease get by them, but then again I don't blindly pump grease into those easy lube bearings either . I never use that feature. I suspect thats where some get into trouble with blowing grease past the seals .

FWIW, if the sealing surface of the shaft isn't damaged, you're not going to "blow grease past the seals" if you follow the instructions.

IMO the EZ Lube feature isn't really needed, but it only causes trouble when there are other issues.

The problem is that unless one has xray vision, one cannot tell if there are "other" issues.

[fj12ryder]

No, me either. I've done mine once in 10 years.

[cummins2014]

fj12ryder wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:
My results don't vary, same as yours, using the Dexter seals , now around $9 ea. Last time I bought them they were less then that. Dexter axles are made in the US, I suspect so does the seals, will have to check next time . Also a double lip seal, and have never had any grease get by them, but then again I don't blindly pump grease into those easy lube bearings either . I never use that feature. I suspect thats where some get into trouble with blowing grease past the seals .

FWIW, if the sealing surface of the shaft isn't damaged, you're not going to "blow grease past the seals" if you follow the instructions.

IMO the EZ Lube feature isn't really needed, but it only causes trouble when there are other issues.

Key word , follow .

Yes, that's true. But from my experience, not the most in the world mind you, the bearings will probably fail due to poor assembly where ever they are put together. When I examined mine I was chagrined to discover all the nicks and gouges on the sealing and bearing surfaces of the axle shafts. On a couple of them a half-inch or less closer to the seal lip and it would have been damaged and a potential leak created. I checked them all after that discovery and used a hard stone to deburr and smooth the bearing and sealing surfaces. A poor, poor job was done assembling them.

I’m sure the EZ Lube works for some , I just know for sure when hand packing they are definitely greased properly , and have never had a bearing failure . Fortunately I’ve never gotten a bad bearing or assembly . The only time I blindly towed a fifth wheel not knowing the condition of the axles is when I ordered a new one and picked it up 1600 miles away . No issues , and I didn’t mess with the bearings for a few years , I am definitely not one of those once a year guys .

[fj12ryder]

cummins2014 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:
My results don't vary, same as yours, using the Dexter seals , now around $9 ea. Last time I bought them they were less then that. Dexter axles are made in the US, I suspect so does the seals, will have to check next time . Also a double lip seal, and have never had any grease get by them, but then again I don't blindly pump grease into those easy lube bearings either . I never use that feature. I suspect thats where some get into trouble with blowing grease past the seals .

FWIW, if the sealing surface of the shaft isn't damaged, you're not going to "blow grease past the seals" if you follow the instructions.

IMO the EZ Lube feature isn't really needed, but it only causes trouble when there are other issues.

Key word , follow .

Yes, that's true. But from my experience, not the most in the world mind you, the bearings will probably fail due to poor assembly where ever they are put together. When I examined mine I was chagrined to discover all the nicks and gouges on the sealing and bearing surfaces of the axle shafts. On a couple of them a half-inch or less closer to the seal lip and it would have been damaged and a potential leak created. I checked them all after that discovery and used a hard stone to deburr and smooth the bearing and sealing surfaces. A poor, poor job was done assembling them.

[cummins2014]

fj12ryder wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:
My results don't vary, same as yours, using the Dexter seals , now around $9 ea. Last time I bought them they were less then that. Dexter axles are made in the US, I suspect so does the seals, will have to check next time . Also a double lip seal, and have never had any grease get by them, but then again I don't blindly pump grease into those easy lube bearings either . I never use that feature. I suspect thats where some get into trouble with blowing grease past the seals .

FWIW, if the sealing surface of the shaft isn't damaged, you're not going to "blow grease past the seals" if you follow the instructions.

IMO the EZ Lube feature isn't really needed, but it only causes trouble when there are other issues.

Key word , follow .

[fj12ryder]

cummins2014 wrote:
My results don't vary, same as yours, using the Dexter seals , now around $9 ea. Last time I bought them they were less then that. Dexter axles are made in the US, I suspect so does the seals, will have to check next time . Also a double lip seal, and have never had any grease get by them, but then again I don't blindly pump grease into those easy lube bearings either . I never use that feature. I suspect thats where some get into trouble with blowing grease past the seals .

FWIW, if the sealing surface of the shaft isn't damaged, you're not going to "blow grease past the seals" if you follow the instructions.

IMO the EZ Lube feature isn't really needed, but it only causes trouble when there are other issues.

[cummins2014]

pulpwood007 wrote:

JKJavelin wrote:

JKJavelin wrote:
I just got an estimate from the local Goodyear dealer for $275 including seals. He is old school and honest. If they're Chinese bearings, I'll have him replace them with Timkens if they're available.
JK

Just updating my own post. I had it done and it was $437. $165 labor, and $272 for double lip seals from NAPA.

It's really difficult for me to imagine a wheel bearing seal costing $70 each. I'm pretty diligent concerning maintaining my bearings, using Timkens, which I check annually. I have used no-name double lip seals, probably made in China for 12 years with zero issues. I pay $6 each and replace them every 2 years when I pull and clean bearings. I have never had an issue or a grease leak yet.

This is just my experience and your results may vary.

My results don't vary, same as yours, using the Dexter seals , now around $9 ea. Last time I bought them they were less then that. Dexter axles are made in the US, I suspect so does the seals, will have to check next time . Also a double lip seal, and have never had any grease get by them, but then again I don't blindly pump grease into those easy lube bearings either . I never use that feature. I suspect thats where some get into trouble with blowing grease past the seals .

[pulpwood007]

JKJavelin wrote:

JKJavelin wrote:
I just got an estimate from the local Goodyear dealer for $275 including seals. He is old school and honest. If they're Chinese bearings, I'll have him replace them with Timkens if they're available.
JK

Just updating my own post. I had it done and it was $437. $165 labor, and $272 for double lip seals from NAPA.

It's really difficult for me to imagine a wheel bearing seal costing $70 each. I'm pretty diligent concerning maintaining my bearings, using Timkens, which I check annually. I have used no-name double lip seals, probably made in China for 12 years with zero issues. I pay $6 each and replace them every 2 years when I pull and clean bearings. I have never had an issue or a grease leak yet.

This is just my experience and your results may vary.

[Cummins12V98]

Link looks the same as my National seals.

[cummins2014]

fj12ryder wrote:

JKJavelin wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Please post the part number used.

"$272 for double lip seals from NAPA."

Napa part no. 27SS4081

Here's a link to it.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/OSQ27SS4081

Here's a link to it,

Thats not an oil bath seal, why are we talking about oil bath seals ?? It's the same 7K axle seal as the Dexter double lip seal 010-036 ,same dimensions 3.371 diameter 2.25 shaft diameter, very common seal, can get just about anywhere . The one I always used for my 7K axles

[fj12ryder]

JKJavelin wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Please post the part number used.

"$272 for double lip seals from NAPA."

Napa part no. 27SS4081

Here's a link to it.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/OSQ27SS4081

Here's a link to it,

[cummins2014]

JKJavelin wrote:
No, link doesn't work....
Search on NAPA's website with the part number and it'll come up.

It appears the part # is no good.

[JKJavelin]

No, link doesn't work....
Search on NAPA's website with the part number and it'll come up.