Bobi and Dick McKee Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 I was doing my walk around the rig checking everything before we head out for the summer. Raised the curb side wheel off the ground, and low land behold the front wheel had about 1/4" movement when is pulled out the top of the wheel. They are Dexter Never Lube bearings on 8000 lb. axles. I called Dexter and was told that with the 17.5 wheels and tires (30" diameter") there can be as much as 1/2 inch of "tilt" when rocking the wheels. Being a nervous nelly and having a spare hub assembly I decided to change the hub and order a replacement bearing. I ordered a new bearing before I changed hubs. I figured better safe than sorry and went about changing out the hub. My surprise came when I removed the old hub and bearing. I was able to simply reach inside and pull the bearing and seal out of the race. The bearing was full of fine power shavings from the bearing failing. Called Dexter again told them what I found and they are reimbursing me for the cost of a new bearing and shipping. I guess the bottom line is trust you gut instinct. I've been around cars and trucks too long to know a wheel shouldn't wobble when you pull on it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 I second that. It's hard enough for some to remember to check and service standard wheel bearing annually. The NeverLube bearing are a forgotten item after the owner sees that name. They either forget or don't know the only difference is they are a sealed bearing, and must still be checked for wear. I used to have the EZ-lube hubs/bearings on our 5er. They got removed, cleaned and checked, then repacked by hand annually. There is no substitute for a visual inspection. 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted May 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 Unfortunately, with the Dexter Never Lube they cant be opened to be repacked and inspected. I just had a conversation with my wife and we have decided that if 2 of 4 bearing fail within 2000 miles of each other, how far behind are the other two from failing? When I receive my new bearings, just to be on the safe side, I'm going to replace the other two bearings. Rather do it here in the yard with my shop than on the road or in a park somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyretired Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Friends had a Lippert axle with Never Lube hubs on a DRV. The bearing failed and the wheel flew off. Ruined the axle, bent a lot of the lower metal, nearly ripped the entire end cap off and punched a fist sized hole in it. They never felt a thing in the truck and it was dark so they didn't see anything. A cop pulled them over about 2 miles after it happened. No lights on the trailer. These bearings were tight when they started about 1000 miles before. Randy 2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted May 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 At least the Dexter Never Lube bearings are about twice the size of the Lippert bearings. These are 80mm which are very large, unfortunately made in China which probably explains the failure rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariner Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 I might add to make sure the bearings are made in the good old U.S.A. I had mine replaced, and 6mos. later the right front started going bad. I had them pull both and found out they were made in China. I was told this was a recurring problem because of the inferior steel being used. Fulltiming since 2010 2000 Dutch Star 2009 Saturn Vue Myrtle Beach, SC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Greg Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 We had our Nev-R-Lub's replaced last year and I specified US and NOT China made bearings. It took a few weeks for MOR/ryde to get four but they were Timken and the race was stamped Made in France which I accepted. The originals were working fine but I wanted to be proactive and not have a problem. Greg Greg & Judy Bahnmiller Class of 2007 2014 F350 2007 HitchHiker Champagne Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted May 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Greg, next fall when we get home for the winter I will probably order new bearings and specify no China bearings. The shop where I have my bearings press out and in said that if I took the bearings to a specialty bearing dealer they could probably actually get me Timkens made in the US. I know there is a large dealer in Las Vegas which is only 90 miles from us, so I'll make a trip up and see what I can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Greg Posted May 13, 2015 Report Share Posted May 13, 2015 Dick, MOR/ryde supplied the Made in France Timken bearings, did all the work except pressing them in and out. It took 2 orders to get them from Dexter, pretty sure that was their supplier. Tall Texan was going to have them replace his a few weeks later and they could only get two, Apparently there was a delay last year in getting non Chinese bearings. As a side note we were at MOR/ryde today for routine IS and brake service and they checked the bearings and after a year on the new ones all looked well. Greg Greg & Judy Bahnmiller Class of 2007 2014 F350 2007 HitchHiker Champagne Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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