I am about to make a long trip so I went to repack the bearings for the first time on my new to me 2003 sunnybrook 5er. The previous owner told me he had to replace an axle due to a wheel coming off at some point. Well i repack the front left wheel first which is the older axle and all is well. I went to repack the rear left axle which is the newer 2012 labeled dexter but found what appears to be significant damage with a possible repair job. The bearings and races look okay but the spindle shaft is marred up and appears to have been partially polished on top like a repair. The washer that goes under the castle nut likewise looks to be damaged or sort of roadside repair as the outside looks ground down to a smaller diameter. Weird thing is it seems to fit the spindle shaft pretty good... I don't know what to do here as this is above my level of expertice. Am I okay to repack the bearings and put back together? It was nice and tight before I removed the wheel. For what it'a worth the previous owner said he replaced the china bearings with timken which it appears he did not lie on that but seems to me something happened he didn't tell me about. How should i proceed?

For some reason it's not letting mw post pics...

readhttp://forums.motorhomemagazine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15775751.cfmto learn how to post picture

Even better Click Here for the easy way to post pictures.

from what your seeing,and telling ,it was cleaned up, and fitted with the best bearings out there, and it was good to go when you took it off, ME,I,d pack it and watch the temp on it at each stop. I,d go on the trip. from your words it sounds safe.

kyle86 wrote:For some reason it's not letting mw post pics...Follow this link https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/201045551/Forums/PhotoUpload/RV.NET-Photo-Upload.htmlThen follow the instructions there, Select and upload photo.. Copy and paste the link it gives youNOTE: Paste link in the main editor DO NOT click on one of the icons above the editor window,, The proper HTML code is already in the link.The photo goes to an account on Dropbox. which is for Forum members to use, Forget who set it up but I used it just a few days ago so I know it still works.

Opinion Needed - Repacking Wheel Bearings and found THIS

kyle86
Explorer
May 06, 2016
Wow so this is the difference between a 5200 lb axle and a 3500 lb axle inner bearing LOL.
yankee_camper
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
Lynnmor wrote:
Just installed made in USA Timken bearings. I know of others that did the same. Look at my link in a previous post.

X2 just got mine on Amazon but Sumitt Racing has them also - USA made!
John_Joey
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
Little lost on the OCD thing, so my statement might be off. When he said wet bolts I'm guessing he is referring to the leaf spring bolts.

Bought a used Class A F53 with leaf springs on the front. That thing really did ride like a bread truck. Would shake the filings right out of your teeth. Once I got the shackles freed up, it was a night and day improvement on the ride. RV's don't get used daily so they're prime for corrosion to set in.
kyle86
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
I don't wana buy a whole axle just to pull it apart and start replacing parts. That sounds ocd but I can sympthize.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
Sounds good. I guess that you still need to add u-bolts and associated hardware. While we are helping you spend money, did you consider wet bolts?

Pump grease thru that grease fitting to flush out the dirt and then never use it again. You need some good wheel bearing grease, I was using the recommended Valvoline when my CHINESE bearings failed, so ain't taking any chances on either again.
kyle86
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
I just ordered 2 complete 5200 lb axles. The sales rep at redneck trailer advises me dexter now sells what's called a 6000 lb light and a 6000 lb heavy. The light is actually what used to be called the 5200. The difference is the thickness of the axle tube wall. The bearings and brakes are essensially the same. I got the ez lube axles which I was told was standard nowdays. The out the door price was $581 for both axles assembled with brakes and my custom spring perch 68.5. Will be 2 weeks till they arive which gives plenty of time to figure out which springs to get. He recommended PR5 springs rated at 2900 lbs each but I think that's overkill for a trailer with 8750 gvwr. The step down is a pr4 which is 2400 rating each.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
Stiffer springs just might help a bit with sway.

Heavier axle assemblies will decrease the sprung/unsparing ratio. That can result in a rougher ride. Think of it this way, the axle is easier to knock out of the way, when encountering a bump, if it is lighter. I doubt that it will be a serious issue, but it is one reason to not go overboard with axle weights.

I doubt that parts would be a problem with any of the axles you are considering.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 25, 2016
I do wonder if TT sway issues could be reduced some with higher rated springs.
myredracer
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2016
I installed US-made Timken bearings last fall. Got them at a local industrial/commercial bearing supplier. I said I wanted US ones or none at all. They said theirs are all US-made ones so they can't that hard to find out there. I will gladly get some for folks for a small handling fee... :B

Not sure why higher rated springs & axles one or two sizes would be an issue? I would say better to have stiffer to tame the bounce in the rear end and improved handling. Our particular TT would normally have 3500 lb axles but we have 2 x 4400 lb axles. No downside to this for us and there is a lot less bounce and handling is improved. Also installed shocks along with this upgrade and together make a world of difference. I would say going too stiff may not be good but it seems to me that FW frames are much stronger than TTs.
kyle86
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
I'm going to order factory preassembled dexters. Not sure if they use china bearings but i will be inspecting them yearly.

Redneck recommended 6000 lb axles pre assembled with 12x2 brakes. Is that overkill? I mentioned 5200 but he said parts were harder to get for a 5200.

Anyway price for a 6000 rated pre assembled dexter is $278 plus tax (298otd) which is roughly a $60 increase over a preassembled 3500.