Brake seal failure

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We recently took our 2020 Momentum 351M in for a checkup before our first year warranty was up. We had a few things that needed fixing. We also had our dealer - General RV of Draper Utah check our brakes as they seamed to not be working as they should. When the technician pulled the brake drum of the first wheel it was full of grease. He said that the backing plate needed to be replaced and all of the internal parts
on all four wheels. He also said that this was not covered under the warranty. Needless to say when he was finished we had to pay $1165.00 for the repairs. We have since learned that this has happed to others and there is a class action suit being filed for this very problem. We hope to be reimbursed for this expense.

[geotex1]

It's an immensely common problem across the industry and with trailers overall. I repack and service my own, and even doing so with American-made seals I had a seal failure. The unfortunate thing is your dealer ran you a little astray. Had you called Dexter and provided pictures, you would have gotten a replacement, loaded set of backing plates and good probably of new hub drums. I will assure you that would have been a better payout than you will ever see from a class action suit. You should verify that genuine Dexter parts were used because generic 7K axle loaded backing plates are only $38/each. Dexter's are $78/ea at cost. Glad you're having regular maintenance done because it is imperative! I have a friend's, new to him 2016 Pinnacle in my driveway after he broke a spring. When I got into it, the prior owner did no maintenance at all! Waiting on deliveries to install an all new suspension because NOTHING was salvageable.

[zinman]

geotex1, I totally agree with your comment on doing your own bearing and brake service. I have done my own for the past 30+ years on my RV and boat trailer and have never had an issue. I attribute much of this to use of high quality parts like SKF seals, Redline synthetic grease AND regular inspection/service and just taking my time to assure everything is exactly right.

[Tibbs183]

I'm wondering what the consensus is on greasing the bearings. Not when replacing, just regular maintenance. I have always used the grease fitting for the inner bearing and keep spinning the hub until I think it should have enough. Then I remove the outer bearing, pack it by hand and reassemble. Then a couple more shots into the grease fitting for good measure. I'm leery of the old pump the grease fitting until it squeezes out the front bearing method.

2nd question, I just finished mine. There was no excess play in any wheel but it felt like the axle nut was just barely seated. And I mean barely. Normal?

[Tibbs183]

Well, I just did what I should have done and kept reading in the thread and found excellent info, especially on the second question.

[JCR GD]

I would contact GD. They may help you out and/or refer you to Dexter. You never know until you ask. This common problem has been covered many times in the past.