davideh
Explorer
Joined 11 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Wheel Bearing OR Brake Failure?
In the last year we have had two wheel bearing failures on our Flagstaff Classic Super Light 5th Wheel Trailer (2007). Our tow vehicle is a 2007 Toyota Tundra four wheel drive (5.7 liter engine) with a Pullrite SuperGlide hitch. Wheels are pulled, inspected and the bearing repacked once a year. Both times the failure occurred on the curbside, but was different wheels. Heavy smoke was observed and the wheel was hot. Luckily there was no fire and neither the wheel or tire were damaged. The bearings and brakes were trashed. The repairs involved replacing the brakes, brake hub, and bearing. In both cases the spindle was cleaned, the spindle groves cleared and new parts installed. The first failure was called a bearing failure although I did not question the techs for details. But the technician repairing the second failure said it was a brake failure. The tech's reasoning was that the insulation was chafed at the opening into the hub, shorted the hot wire causing the brakes to engage, over heat then fail the brakes and damage the bearing. I saw the damaged parts in the second failure and the brakes were totally destroyed, but the bearing would still rotate (badly). My questions: 1. Is the wire chafing a possible cause and have others observed this problem? 2. Are wheel bearing failures common and what are the typical causes (besides lack of grease and overloaded)? 3. What additional inspections / maintenance might stop these failures? Davideh2.5KViews0likes13Comments
Groups
