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Old 08-11-2007, 02:44 PM   #1
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Is this a brakes or bearings concern?

After reading Kitty’s post on her bearing problems, I decided to lube the bearings on our trailer. We have the E-Z Lube axles, so it took about 3 minutes to do.

But I noticed one wheel had something on it that seemed to come from the wheel's hub, based on the spary pattern.

Here’s a picture of what it looked like.


It felt like grease, but wiped off easily with a little bit of Awesome. It was only the ODS rear wheel. All other wheels were fine. I’ve since cleaned up the wheel to see if on our next trip I get the same stuff on it.

The brakes and bearings where check in April when I had the trailer inspected and everything was fine. We’ve put just under 4,000 miles on the trailer since then and have about 6,250 miles on the trailer total. When traveling, (we just came back last week-end from the Eastern M&G, which was about a 300 mile trip one way), the wheel wasn’t abnormally hot. I check all wheels each time we stop.

I’m a computer geek, not a motor head (and I use that term with the utmost respect and admiration), so I’m very naive when it comes to brakes and bearings and stuff like that. I didn’t pull off the wheel because I wouldn't know what I’m looking at if I did.

Any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
Hutch
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Old 08-11-2007, 03:04 PM   #2
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Hutch
Things could be getting hot in there. Look on the back side where the seal is for the hub. See if there is any gunk back there. Looks like some water got inside the hub or it may have got hot. Next time you take the trailer out at a bathroom brake check hot ho the hubs are getting. Touch the the rim where the hub comes out if it is realy hot you have a problem.
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Old 08-11-2007, 07:01 PM   #3
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Hutch....

It is also possible that you have a non-problem.

I don't claim to be a mechanic, but your situation seems very similar to one I had with an earlier trailer( which didn't have ez lube hubs). In that case, it was found that too much grease had been put in the bearings, and the excess had pushed out past the seals.

When you force extra grease into the hubs with the ez lube set-up, the old stuff (it seems to me) wouldn't just disappear. I'd guess that the excess would also push out past the seals. (A boat trailer near me has the same type of stains on both wheels. The owner says it happens after he lubes his "bearing buddies").

If I were in your shoes, I'd check the relative warmth of all 4 hubs the next time I was on the road. If all were the same warmth, I'd assume they were relatively OK. And I'd avoid over-lubing the hubs. I believe that could work on the seals. I'd also discuss the situation with my RV mechanic the next chance I got.

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Old 08-11-2007, 07:57 PM   #4
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Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check the wheel hub temps on all four wheels during our next trip to see if there is any difference between them.

I haven't lubed the wheels since new. Just lubed them today for the first time. 3 pumps per wheel, that's what the mechanic recommended. So I’ll see what happens on our next trip, if I see similar signs on the same wheel or any of the other wheels.

I do know that the wheel that showed the signs (i.e., ODS rear wheel) was the wheel I saw the mechanic pull during inspection. I’m not sure if that was the only wheel he pulled or if he pulled all 4 wheels. I know on this one wheel he check the brakes and bearings. The mechanic commented that they showed very little sign of wear and guessed we hadn’t traveled too far. But that was back in April and doubt it if has anything to do with this.
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Old 08-12-2007, 07:20 AM   #5
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I agree with what nasa said it looks like extra grease from when you lubed the bearings,I put a few pumps of grease in my bearings every year and I get the same thing the first time down the road after doing the bearings,I clean it off upon arrival of where ever we are going and then it does not happen again.
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Old 08-12-2007, 08:58 AM   #6
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sorry, i don't want to hijack your post - but how do i know if i have easy lube or if i have the older style bearings - the trailer is currently at the dealer and i was thinking of having them grease the bearings and checking over the brakes - but shy a out spending the $169.00 that they wish to do the work - but the trailer is now a year old and has never been looked at for this.

thanks
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Old 08-12-2007, 09:32 AM   #7
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Hi precorguy

What year is your Sunline - is it a 2006 or 2007? We have a 2005 and I think the EZ-Lube axles were standard. I'm not sure if or when Sunline made EZ-Lube axles standard. I would guess that you have the EZ-Lube axles.

If your hub has a rubber cap (as shown in the the picture of the first post), it just pops off to reveal the grease jerk.


Hope this helps.
Hutch
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Old 08-12-2007, 02:58 PM   #8
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I have not looked at the bearings on my trailer since purchasing it new last spring.

Should I go ahead and shoot some grease in for safety sake?

If so, what should I use for grease, how many pumps, etc?

mike
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Old 08-12-2007, 05:53 PM   #9
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hutch
we have a 07 2553 --- i guess what i will do is wait til i have it back from the dealer and see if there is a grease thingy

i take it all i have to do is attach a grease gun and squirt away --- how much and where does it all go - i have never done it -- as i said, just wanted to avoid the $169.00 they wish me to pay for it ---- thanks for the help, will take a look when i have her back same a sound!

i heard that you should grease it every year - the sunline website indicates every 3,000 miles ---- we have put at least that if not some additional since we got her last august - so likely time.
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Old 08-12-2007, 06:26 PM   #10
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EZ-Lube bearings

Hi Precorguy,
I have a 2005 T2553 and it came with the EZ-Lube bearings. According to the Dexter axle manual, when you grease the bearings You pump enough grease into the zerk fitting until you see the old grease come out the front. The manual will tell you what type of grease to use. The grease has to meet certain qualities to handle temperatures above 419 degrees. This info is on page 49 of the Dexter Operation Manual and the lubing instructions are on page 52. If you can't find your manual, this info is on the Dexter web site.
Hope this helps you.

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Old 08-13-2007, 06:57 AM   #11
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ok, just call me stupid - actually no, please don't ---- i checked the sunline web site and well ----- it was to come with ez lube bearings from the factory --- yeah!

checked the dexter site as recommended and it appears that this is not too complicated and better yet - i get to buy myself a new toy - a grease gun!!!!!!

ok, so i will hold of paying the dealer but will look at it when i get it back and hopefully it is built as listed!!!

thanks all for your help and thanks hutch for allowing me to hijack your post.
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Old 08-13-2007, 10:25 AM   #12
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Let me share this about the EZ Lube axle. I asked about them and below is the response from Dexter.

Thank you for visiting the Dexter Axle website and sending us your question.

The Dexter Axle Operation Maintenance Service Manual states:
Pump grease into the fitting. The old displaced grease will begin to flow back out the cap around the grease gun nozzle. When the new clean grease is observed, remove the grease gun, wipe off any excess, and replace the rubber plug in the cap. Rotate the hub or drum while adding grease.
The E-Z Lube feature is designed to allow immersion in water. [When] hubs are removed from an axle with the E-Z Lube feature it is imperative that the seals be replaced BEFORE bearing lubrication. Otherwise, the chance of grease getting on brake linings is greatly increased.

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/1080235/f/...ubs__Drums____
Bearings_2-07_72_res.pdf

Dexter still recommends that these hubs be removed every 12 months or 12,000 miles - which ever comes first - for visual bearing inspection as preventative maintenance.

Christine Bachman
Application Engineer
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Old 08-13-2007, 02:15 PM   #13
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Just made an appointment to have ours repacked or at least inspected to see if they need replacing.

Last time I shot some grease into mine, I counted 40 pumps before I saw the old stuff come out. We've gone over the 12,000 mark on our bearings, and after reading about Kitty's troubles, I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Thanks for the heads up

Pat
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Old 08-13-2007, 02:38 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emam
Just made an appointment to have ours repacked or at least inspected to see if they need replacing.
Pat,

I think that’s an excellent idea, especially with the amount and type of traveling you’ve been doing and plan to do over the next few years.

Let us know how things turn out.

Hutch
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Old 08-13-2007, 03:31 PM   #15
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Pat,

Are you taking it back to General? If you are, how far out are they scheduling for appointments? I need to take mine over for the Dometic recall and so far I haven't needed any more parts, so I haven't been over to find out.

Jon
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Old 08-13-2007, 05:55 PM   #16
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Wade said they are 3 weeks out on repair work!! He said this is the busiest summer they've had in years!!

Luckily for us, we were bringing it in for a few other things we are having looked at, and I called him and asked if he could check this out also. He said since it was going to be in there, he would have the guys give it a full once over.

I really want to have the bearings and the brakes looked at. He is also looking into whether or not they can upgrade me to 16" wheels like that other guy is asking about in the Modifications Forum. I've been wanting to do this so I can go up to a 14 ply tire, and Wade said if I'm going to replace all my tires before we leave for out West, now is the time to do it. So they are checking into this for me and I'll keep everyone posted.

I dont think I have to worry about the clearance in my wheel wells since I have the coach lifted. I'm just worried about the 5 or 6 lug pattern. Hopefully they'll be able to find a 5 lug 16" wheel so I can make the upgrade.
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Old 08-13-2007, 07:52 PM   #17
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Pat,

If you get 16" tires, measure the distance between the 2 tires before and after. I would be curious to see what the change is.

Thanks
Hutch
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Old 08-14-2007, 07:26 AM   #18
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16" tires --- now that is interesting - since i have been thinking that next year we will replace the mission tires with better tires before we head to florida.

i would also be curious as to whether or not this is possible and if so, are there other modifications that need to be done.

otherwise, if complicated, i will stay with the same size.

again - words of wisdom!
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Old 08-14-2007, 08:43 AM   #19
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precorguy

To go to 16” tires/wheels, I would think one of the critical concerns would be if there is sufficient clearance wrt wheel wells and between tires for the increased size of the tires.

If you have a SR, I would guess you have the clearance wrt wheel wells. If you don’t have an SR and didn’t flip the axles, you may be close wrt sufficient wheel well clearance.

For clearance between wheels, I would thnik that’s dependent on the type and placement of the axles you have on your trailer.

I’m not sure if there is a recommended clearance wrt wheel wells and between tires. Maybe someone here knows.

Hutch
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Old 09-07-2007, 09:13 AM   #20
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Just thought I would update everyone wrt the original post (i.e., my concern if I was starting to have a bearing problem).

Took about a 500 mile trip a few weeks ago and monitored the tire and wheels regularly while traveling.

All wheels never got abnormally hot, were just warm to the touch. And they stayed clean. So I guess my bearings are fine and what was on the one wheel was just some excess grease.

Thanks for your responses and suggestions.
Hutch
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