Bearing question

[5th_Time]

Here are the Timken numbers for 7K axles with factory disc brakes:

Inner Bearing: 25580
Inner Race: 25520
Outer Bearing: 02475
Outer Race: 02420

Grease Seals: SKF 22558 (SKF bought Chicago Rawhide)

[Jim & Mary]

Maybe I'm ignorant, but what I don't understand is why we have to repack wheel bearings once or twice a year, but I've never had to do that with any of my cars or truck that travel many more miles with no bearing problems. What am I missing?

[bergeman]

Originally Posted by Jim & Mary

Maybe I'm ignorant, but what I don't understand is why we have to repack wheel bearings once or twice a year, but I've never had to do that with any of my cars or truck that travel many more miles with no bearing problems. What am I missing?

Count me as ignorant also. I was thinking the same thing. I watched some videos on this today and became more confused. Seems boat trailers need this because the trailers get submerged.

Next, all this talk about broken springs. Flipped springs, bad bearings etc. Just has me concerned. I have upgraded the brakes. I have upgraded the tires to H. I get the feeling if I want piece of mind I need to replace the whole undercarriage.

Is the whole under carriage so bad that I really need to get the IS system or are most of these problems just one offs?

[travelin' texans]

Newer model autos/trucks have sealed bearings that don't require packing just replace the whole hub. I've pulled all kinds of trailers for a lot of years, all of which got bearings packed & other items inspected as part of scheduled maintenance. My know it all BIL said I was wasting time & money that his 10 year old 5er & 15 year old horse had never been packed, but he has a PhD.

[Dave&Ginny]

Jim,

Once a year should be enough depending on how far and in what conditions you drive. I knew I tortured my axles due to the length of time I ran each day. Sometimes I put in 800 mile days in the blazing heat of AZ and TX during the month of July. Even then I used good grease and repacked them once a year. I did however keep a close eye on the entire suspension system.

I only replaced 2 bearings the entire time I had the beauty

[Char & Steve]

Were you replacing the seals every time or reusing the old ones?

Steve

[5th_Time]

Ha ha. Aren't the seals only $18 ea??

[Blenhardt]

I have put almost 25k miles on our Redwood and have repacked the bearings three times. Will repack them this summer. Yes, I put in new seals when it pack them. I do carry an IR thermometer and check the wheel temps when I stop.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by Char & Steve

Were you replacing the seals every time or reusing the old ones?

Steve

Steve when I replaced the bearings I also replaced the seals. On the bearings I replaced I found some pitting but it wasn't real bad.

I didn't see the need for replacing the seals each time I repacked the bearings however as 5th time posted, they aren't expensive if you decide to replace them.

[Char & Steve]

That's exactly what I was thinking but wanted to check. I know the seals most likely won't be bad but I do have to say It's not the easiest to remove them if you plan on trying to reuse. I have always installed new on anything I repack.

Just checking!!!!!


Steve

[piper guy]

Like Bruce, I also carry an IR Temp Gun and check every wheel and hub when we stop (every 2 hours or so). Looking for variations in temp.

[Ford truck guy]

I too use an IR therm other at every stop.... I check the tires , wheels , brakes, rotor assemblies... Ect . . .

[Char & Steve]

Originally Posted by Ford truck guy

I too use an IR therm other at every stop.... I check the tires , wheels , brakes, rotor assemblies... Ect . . .

You must have to plan a lot of extra travel time..

[piper guy]

LOL !! In all honesty ~ takes me about 3 minutes and that's about how long it takes the kinks to work out of my knees as I walk around the rig !!

[Shane Wood]

I raced and 4 wheeled off road for years. When repacking new or existing bearings you should always replace the grease seals. Many years of replacing hubs etc that people tried to get away without changing

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by Char & Steve

You must have to plan a lot of extra travel time..

Not really,,,, like Vaughan stated it actually is very fast.. I turn the pump on , while the kids and wife are doing thier thing and walking the dog, I circle the rig checking as I walk..

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by Char & Steve

Were you replacing the seals every time or reusing the old ones?

Steve

It is very difficult to remove the seals and not damage them. The seals are not very expensive and it is just easier to pop them out with a pry bar and put in new seals.

[sinder]

I've had our bearings packed annually and have about 16k miles on our rig. I believe Titan Guy is right that the drum brakes heat up and prematurely destroy the rubber seals. How every I make every effort to minimize any long term use of my brakes. I use the exhaust brake when ever I can.

If we end up keeping our RW I will upgrade the brakes to disk and do the Moryde suspension. We were thinking of going to Alaska next year, but I would not consider pulling this rig to Alaska with the current under carriage set-up.

[mhs4771]

Two year ago we took our 36RL to Alaska, including the "Top of the World Highway" and not a single problem. BUT we were running Mor/ryde 8K IS on Goodyear 114 "H" tires. Others on the trip had tire ans suspension issues with their 5ers.

[xtasee]

[QUOTE=sinder;66610] Had to have the unit flat bed hauled 150 miles [QUOTE]

Not to change the subject but if you put a 13'2" high trailer on a flatbed, how do you have any clearance for bridges?

I would like to know in case I have problems on the road...