Bearing Repack and Brake Inspection and Suspension

[Steven@147]

It's been a year February since I last repacked my bearings. Got after it this week and found a big issue with one of the brakes. We have 4300 miles on the rig and about 3500 on the last bearing repack.
First I disassemble and repack the bearings by hand, inspecting everything along the way. Grease - here is what I use, the Valvoline and Red N' Tacky are compatible products with the same spec. When reassembling I readjust the brakes so that the drums just barely drag, then with the truck connected I spin the drums and get the wife to step on the brake pedal to see if that individual brake is working. Our rig has self adjusting brakes.

I lubed the suspension with the rig stabilizer jacks down on our RV site, this takes the pressure off the suspension and all fittings took grease. Inspected the springs and hangers, everything looks good there.
Started with the right front, pulled the tire, inspected the tread, pulled the balancing plate off (centramatic wheel balancers) and inspected it, loosened the adjusting star, and pulled the brake drum. OMG the brake shoe is gone, the drum has deep grooves in it. The bearings look a little bit like they got a little hot but still had grease in them but differently time to be repacked. The spindle is fine.

First things first, need new brake drum, brake assembly, bearings and seal. I carry a new set of spare bearings and seals, got that covered. Hoped online to order a new drum and complete brake assy and get them on the way. Dexter 7000# axles 12x2 drum 8 lug, and brake assemblies 23-464= left assy or 465 = right. eTrailer has a kit both right and left brake assy and also has the drum, on order. Then got a notice from eTrailer the brake assy went back order, crap, jumped on Amazon same Dexter assy kit in stock ordered from them too, be here Tuesday. I don't know what I am going to run into with the other three wheels, we need to be out of here April 6, no time to waist, never a bad thing to have spares if not needed.

Reassembled the right front wheel, got it all back together just to free up my jacks so I can get after the right rear to see what I find there, so I can be prepared. Got the right rear apart and everything is ok, brakes in fine shape, bearings ok but will need to be replaced next year. Repack the bearings reassembled. I'll work on the left side the next day. Set back reassess what caused the right front brake disaster. Don't know at this point. Checked on my ordered parts delivery, still on track. The brake assembly is a complete assembly ready to bolt on. Remove 5 bolts and replace the whole assembly, resplice the brake wires and done.