Wheel bearings

[Deraldjr]

I just replaced two sets of wheel bearings after 10,000 miles on my Keystone Alpine, 2012.
I had about 6000 miles on it before my last trip and while preparing for that trip I checked all wheels. I found the two rear wheels had a little play in them when I rocked them back and fourth top to bottom. Oh yeah the trailer was jacked up. They have grease fittings in end (Dexter axle )of axle so I tightened the baring bolt and packed them again. I did not remove wheels.
When I returned the same two wheels where loose again. I took to my mechanic and we pulled wheels. Both outer bearings where shot. So pulled all wheels and checked and put on new rear seals and repacked.
I thought it was overkill when I read that you should check lug nuts and wheels often. This proves that we should.
This could have been a real bummer had I not caught it.

[newk]

Deraldjr wrote:
... This could have been a real bummer had I not caught it.

Yes, it could have been. My wife failed to check ours before a trip several years ago. 😉 We very nearly lost the wheel, hub and all. Had to replace the axle on a Saturday morning where there were no replacements to be had and no techs available. Ended up trading for a new 5er so we could get back on the road. I check them every two years now.

[oldbeek]

My take on this is the small amount of play was correct. You over tightened them and caused the failure. Tighten them while turning then back off till cotter pin fits. On this size axle that usually ends up with a little play. Tighter than that is to tight. 40 yrs master mechanic

[stetwood]

We have put about 60K on our 5ver, purchased 4 years old at the time. I did the bearings right away, and while they had grease, it was rather skimpy. Ever since have done them ever 10-15K, still with original bearings. Each time I plan on replacing them, check them for looseness and put them back in.

[Vulcaneer]

OP wrote: I found the two rear wheels had a little play in them when I rocked them back and fourth top to bottom. Oh yeah the trailer was jacked up. They have grease fittings in end (Dexter axle )of axle so I tightened the baring bolt and packed them again. I did not remove wheels.
When I returned the same two wheels where loose again. I took to my mechanic and we pulled wheels. Both outer bearings where shot.
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I think the bearings had too much preload from the factory. Too tight. The balls/rollers wore into the race. And made them loose. That is why you found too much play when you first checked them. And I'll bet the bearings were already shot at that point. So you did EXACTLY what I would have done and tightened them to correct endplay. And then kept an eye on them. Then when they didn't pass the test, you ripped them outta there and found they were shot. But just to clarify...they were shot when you first checked them. And the second time, they were STILL shot. Just shot a little more. Or worse shot...if that is a correct term. Or maybe "shotter". Good thing they were not "shottest". Then you could have lost a wheel.

[mileshuff]

I've never had to repack bearings every year. Not even every 2 years. I tow our trailer about 2K to 3K miles a year at most. Been towing for several decades and have never had a bearing failure. Always have looked fine when serviced. Boat trailers are quite the opposite. Constant dunks in the lake take their toll. Is there a reason why some need to repack yearly? Full time towing 10K+ per year?

[JamesBr]

I been using trailers for a long time, and about the only one I would repack at least once a year or more was my boat trailer. Otherwise, inspect annually and repack at least every 2 years for the car trailers. I suspect the same with the 5th wheel.

[Dave_H_M]

I think SM has a point. I am gonna jack mine up and check for play. This will be the third year out on the factory install.

If all is well i don't plan on pulling them for quite some time.

We cannot prove anything but my social security money is on something being wrong from the get go.

[time2roll]

The first repack to check the factory install is especially important.

[Puddles]

Hard to beat a --once a year pull, clean & repack with new seals... kind of a pain, but trouble along the road is a pain... not kind of...

[JamesBr]

It happens, and always a good idea to check everything before a long trip. I have a car trailer that was the same way, got 15k out of the first set of bearings. Then had do the same on both axles.

[Deraldjr]

Sounds like the pre-load wasn't set tight enough.

Not sure what this means.

The races were not set/bottomed out in the hub when replaced.

I just now replaced them so if what you say is true, than they were not set at factory when installed. Thus the reason I went to a truck mechanic not an RV dealer.

[bad99ram]

eHoefler wrote:
The races were not set/bottomed out in the hub when replaced.

Reread the post

[eHoefler]

The races were not set/bottomed out in the hub when replaced.

[ScottG]

Sounds like the pre-load wasn't set tight enough.