First bearing pack observations

[redfernclan]

23LDE. 2 1/2 years old with about 2,500 miles. No issues with tires, brakes or suspension. Reading a lot of talk about bearing packing so I thought I would just throw out my observations.
I don't want to start any arguments on what is right, just relaying my thoughts and what I found. First, my background. Been working on cars since I was 16. Gunners mate in the Navy coded in the 5in gun mount. Ass of Science degree in automotive tech. 10 years as a heavy equipment diesel mechanic. 26 years doing forklift, building maint. and have an electrical license so I do have some experience.
Figured they were due so I pulled them down. China bearings. No pits, no overheating and no scoring. Was not a lot of grease, but enough. I was getting a little concerned with the other posts saying not much grease. In my case, there was plenty. Cleaned, repacked and assembled.
Put my concerns to bed as far as poor bearing quality and lack of grease.
Everyone has there own opinions, just relating my findings for anyone starting to worry.

 

[Steven@147]

23LDE. 2 1/2 years old with about 2,500 miles. No issues with tires, brakes or suspension. Reading a lot of talk about bearing packing so I thought I would just throw out my observations.
snip
Put my concerns to bed as far as poor bearing quality and lack of grease.
Everyone has there own opinions, just relating my findings for anyone starting to worry.

Good for you, now you have a baseline of what the bearings/races (cup/cone) look like and the amount of grease they contain going forward. Now you can set a timeline/mileage of when you need to look at them again.

I was changing out a brake drum on our RV a couple days ago and a couple guys saw me, stopped and asked if i was packing bearings. They have never had their RV bearings repacked, wanted to do it but was unsure how to do it. I showed them how I do it repacking by hand, showed them the Red-N-Tacky grease I use and the rear drum seal, and how to reinstall the drum and how to tighten the nut. They asked a lot of questions. We also talked about china bearings Vs USA made bearings. I also told them to read up on their specific RV.

 

[Skilletface]

23LDE. 2 1/2 years old with about 2,500 miles. No issues with tires, brakes or suspension. Reading a lot of talk about bearing packing so I thought I would just throw out my observations.
I don't want to start any arguments on what is right, just relaying my thoughts and what I found. First, my background. Been working on cars since I was 16. Gunners mate in the Navy coded in the 5in gun mount. Ass of Science degree in automotive tech. 10 years as a heavy equipment diesel mechanic. 26 years doing forklift, building maint. and have an electrical license so I do have some experience.
Figured they were due so I pulled them down. China bearings. No pits, no overheating and no scoring. Was not a lot of grease, but enough. I was getting a little concerned with the other posts saying not much grease. In my case, there was plenty. Cleaned, repacked and assembled.
Put my concerns to bed as far as poor bearing quality and lack of grease.
Everyone has their own opinions, just relating my findings for anyone starting to worry.

You have made an outstanding observation. You have identified yourself as a user of an RV in a manner for which it was designed. Trips on weekends or summer outings totaling 1000 miles annually never really running for days to get to a destination. You are probably a user that can go several years without the major suspension take down.
The hysteria from some folks comes in they purchase an RV add to many after market items, overload with stuff, store it in an open lot, drag it for thousands of miles and can’t figure out why it fell apart.
Those of us that put 10000 + - annually know when we purchase an RV that it comes with required maintenance and suspension upgrades. Unfortunately when a suspension or tire question surfaces some will high jack the OP’s question without knowing how they intend to use their new found pastime.
Congratulations on your degree!

 

[tdginctr]

I also repacked my bearings for the first time after 2.5 years of use and about twice as much mileage as you. I found the same thing as you: still a fair bit of grease but tons of wasted grease (not near the bearings) due to apparent EZ lube use. Repacked them with Red n’ Tacky and headed out on our next trip. I find some of the OCD around bearings to be a bit much.

 

[redfernclan]

I would agree, but we just mainly take short trips and stay closer to home. I'm not heading across the country. I think if I was I'd be along with the rest of them and Carry a set that are packed with grease and ready to go along with me. I don't like being stranded

 

[RV2600RB]

23LDE. 2 1/2 years old with about 2,500 miles. No issues with tires, brakes or suspension. Reading a lot of talk about bearing packing so I thought I would just throw out my observations.
I don't want to start any arguments on what is right, just relaying my thoughts and what I found. First, my background. Been working on cars since I was 16. Gunners mate in the Navy coded in the 5in gun mount. Ass of Science degree in automotive tech. 10 years as a heavy equipment diesel mechanic. 26 years doing forklift, building maint. and have an electrical license so I do have some experience.
Figured they were due so I pulled them down. China bearings. No pits, no overheating and no scoring. Was not a lot of grease, but enough. I was getting a little concerned with the other posts saying not much grease. In my case, there was plenty. Cleaned, repacked and assembled.
Put my concerns to bed as far as poor bearing quality and lack of grease.
Everyone has there own opinions, just relating my findings for anyone starting to worry.

Yeah, a lot of fear mongers on the internet. Common sense always comes in handy.
Good for you.
Rich

 

[Benst8]

Great to hear all the replies to this one. My experience is slightly different. I wore out two tires due to loose bearings from the frame mfg on a new GD 2970RL It took a few thousand miles before I noticed wear on the inside edge of the tire. I knew that was an indication of a bent axle or bearing issues. I raised the tires and could move it side to side! Working on a farm for 15 yrs taught me a bit so I hand tightened the axle nut then backed off a 1/4 turn and I was good to finish my trip. Once home I had them all repacked. Service man told be poor bearing assembly was one of his largest number of issues he sees. So my view is repack or at least check your bearings on a new rig first thing an regularly after that.

 

[DWGERLI]

23LDE. 2 1/2 years old with about 2,500 miles. No issues with tires, brakes or suspension. Reading a lot of talk about bearing packing so I thought I would just throw out my observations.
I don't want to start any arguments on what is right, just relaying my thoughts and what I found. First, my background. Been working on cars since I was 16. Gunners mate in the Navy coded in the 5in gun mount. Ass of Science degree in automotive tech. 10 years as a heavy equipment diesel mechanic. 26 years doing forklift, building maint. and have an electrical license so I do have some experience.
Figured they were due so I pulled them down. China bearings. No pits, no overheating and no scoring. Was not a lot of grease, but enough. I was getting a little concerned with the other posts saying not much grease. In my case, there was plenty. Cleaned, repacked and assembled.
Put my concerns to bed as far as poor bearing quality and lack of grease.
Everyone has there own opinions, just relating my findings for anyone starting to worry.

Like you have the same trailer two years old, pulled them and no issues at all.

 

[redfernclan]

Most importantly, I now know how much grease is in there and have a starting referance point.

 

[Steven@147]

It's kind of like, what you don't know will get you. At least now you have that baseline and can plan going forward. The bad thing about catastrophic bearing failures on RVs is that it damages the hub/spindle shaft and now you have to replace the whole axle for just a bad hub/spindle. Yeah they are not replaceable on RVs, they are welded to the axle tube.

Tightening the hub nut correctly is an experience (touchy/feely) kind of thing.
A lot of times for a more definitive procedure, you see reference to tightening the hub nut to 50 ftlbs, and then backing off the nut, and then hand tighten. The 50 ftlbs may not be correct for all hub nuts.

Anyway, great discussion!

 

[redfernclan]

It was my understanding from school is that the 50 lb torque setting is there to ensure the races are seated, especially if they have been changed. It also ensures the bearing cone is not hung up or cocked. Basically it ensure everything is lined up, centered and seated.
I have actually on, one occasion, heard a "tick" as I tightened the nut. Always figured things were just lining up.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

It was my understanding from school is that the 50 lb torque setting is there to ensure the races are seated, especially if they have been changed. It also ensures the bearing cone is not hung up or cocked. Basically it ensure everything is lined up, centered and seated.
I have actually on, one occasion, heard a "tick" as I tightened the nut. Always figured things were just lining up.

OTOH, that "tick" could have been something, like the roller retainer, cracking.

 

[lineman1234]

There is a sleeve for the spindle that depending on how bad the spindle is, can be put on it and works good as before.

A good machine shop can cut the spindle off and weld on a new one much cheaper than a new axel. Thats what machine shops do, rebuild/fix stuff as part of there services.

 

[jleonard]

When I re-assemble the outer bearing, i first seat it with both thumbs. If it gets crooked I pop it back out and go again until it is seated, then I assemble the washer and nut barely finger tight.
Then I use channel locks and seat and loosen several times before finally seating it with the pliers. Then I back off just enough to get the cotter pin in.
I have no idea what the actual torque is when seating the bearing, I go by my feel. I doubt its 50 foot pounds, more likely 30 to 35 ish.
Been doing it like this, the way I was taught, since I was 16.

 

[msutoad]

I check my bearings yearly, because I pull about 20K miles on the RV, and figure it’s worth my time to check them in the hopes all is well each year. I replace the bearings versus cleaning and repacking based brake cleaner costs and time. So it’s just faster and I can afford it, so I do it . I use the Red and Tacky and its worked well for me now for years and years.
It is good to have a baseline for sure

 

[redfernclan]

I agree wholeheartedly. That was the main reason for doing it. Establish a base line and report to others my findings. Weekend trips, your good for a while. Doing the cross-country thing is a game changer.