Wheel bearing failures

[Wayne]

We are at our wits end. We have been full time Rvers for 11 years. We have a 2019 3931FB Legacy with disc brakes. Two years ago on I-74 just outside of Iowa we lost the wheel bearings on both sides of the rear axle. The shop had our coach for a month because available axles and parts were difficult to get. While the coach was there they also repacked the bearings on the front axle. After picking up the coach we went to the scales to check our weight. We were 16672 which is 167 over the gross sticker.

Last fall on a trip in Michigan we lost the left front bearings which was repaired in a week. Again the shop repacked all the wheels.

Yesterday while on I-4 in Tampa, Florida the left rear bearings went out. The coach is now at Lazy Days. Don't know yet what it make take to get it fixed since they can't get it in for a few days.
This is our third 5th wheel and loaded the same as the other two and we never had a bearing issue with previous coaches. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Lee-CI]

Is it both the inner and outer bearings going out at the same time? When we had disc brakes installed earlier this year, I ordered the Kodiak rotors with the larger diameter outer bearing. What is the weight rating on your current axles? I know some here have gone to 8K axles. Hopefully others will come in here as well. If the maintenance on the wheel bearings is being done on a routine basis then something very strange is going on. Good luck Wayne and keep us posted.

[RRman]

How many miles do you tow?
Bearings should be good for at least 15K miles if well packed?
Use a infrared Temp gun to check Hub temps at most stops to see if a wheel is running Hot.
Several years ago I lost just one wheel bearing and Tire, Wheel and most of the Brake just once after about 15K miles since last repack - ALL the other 3 Wheel bearings were checked and repacked/replaced by myself after that BUT the others were all actually fine...
Also messed up the side skirting and destroyed the plastic fender.
This is on a 2005 Montana that we tow about 2-5K miles per year.

[AZ Traveler]

Wayne,

Wheel bearing failures are not rare but they also are not that common if they are serviced regularly. If your left rear had not failed twice I would say your initial set of bearings were substandard.

Buy a lottery ticket to try to change your bad luck into good luck.

[Wayne]

Both bearings are gone each time. According to my TPS my wheel temps have been running between 125 and 135 degrees at cruising speed. I'm guessing the hubs might be higher.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by Wayne

Both bearings are gone each time. According to my TPS my wheel temps have been running between 125 and 135 degrees at cruising speed. I'm guessing the hubs might be higher.

Get a laser thermometer and check the hubs and brake drums.
Look on your axles for a white sticker. They should be Dexter axles.
The question is, are the 7000lb axles or 8000lb axles?
If 7000-lb maybe upgrade to 8000lb axles and Springs?
Hopefully the bearings are higher rated too.
How is your tire wear?

[ep4me]

Check axle alignment. axles not properly aligned will cause excess bear wear and failure. you have to fine a shop that can do but there are plenty out there

[rohrmann]

You mighty try upgrading to Timken bearings instead of the standard NO-NAME chinese bearings. We lost an outer bearing some years ago, freshly packed by me and the grease was still just fine. I replaced them all with Timken's and have not had any issues since.

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

You mighty try upgrading to Timken bearings instead of the standard NO-NAME chinese bearings. We lost an outer bearing some years ago, freshly packed by me and the grease was still just fine. I replaced them all with Timken's and have not had any issues since.

I'm pretty sure you are on to something with the Timken bearings. Dexter definitely installs Chinese bearings as OE. Timken cost more, but darn sure worth every penny in the long run.

[432bartman]

Maybe it's your spindles that are the problem, which is causing the bearings to repeatedly fail.

[mlh]

Bearing should certainly last longer than yours have. You have had front and rear ones go out twice with a different axle and installed by different people. Nobody else is having this problem. I would be looking at what is different about your camper. Your weight is over by a tiny percentage. That is nothing. Are your tires wearing the same? Are the bearings being over tightened or under tightened? What is the difference in your camper?
Lynwood

[Wayne]

Update
I got a call back from Lazy Days today. They said that the axle is ruined and has to be replaced. The rep also said that I'm having problems because of my weight. According to the cat scales I'm carrying 13200 on the axles. If I understand two 7000# axles should be able to handle 14000#. My last SOB had a gross sticker of 16000# and I carried 17100 and never had a bearing issue. In fact after 8 years I had replaced one outer bearing. The rest were original.

[mlh]

I don’t know what the problem is but that sounds like bovine fertilizer. You have carried over weight without problems now you are under gross you are having problems and it’s your fault, no. Like said before I’d try better quality bearings. I don’t know that would help but you have tried almost everything else. No need to keep on doing the same thing hoping for a different outcome.
Lynwood

[Lee-CI]

I agree with Lynwood! Even if a spindle got chewed up from bearing failure spindles are replaceable by a competent shop. High quality grease and Timken bearings......

[rames14]

I agree with Bob, we had Timken put in with our IS. I’m curious which grease is being used. Ours were packed with Mobil 1 grease. The grease MorRyde used was very runny. I think the new grease will be a big improvement on our rig.

[Daryles]

Well if the axles have to be replaced, I would definitely go with 8000lb axles and leaf springs.

[77cruiser]

7K & 8K axles use the same bearings. Wonder if the spindles were FUBAR from the factory.

[beeje]

I agree with the Timken bearing upgrade also. I had them installed by more ride when I put their independent suspension on.
Make sure your rig is Towing perfectly level and not knows high or low.
If you can find a place to do it have each individual wheel weighed. You will be surprised how much more one or two wheels wiegh as opposed to the others

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by Wayne

Update
I got a call back from Lazy Days today. They said that the axle is ruined and has to be replaced. The rep also said that I'm having problems because of my weight. According to the cat scales I'm carrying 13200 on the axles. If I understand two 7000# axles should be able to handle 14000#. My last SOB had a gross sticker of 16000# and I carried 17100 and never had a bearing issue. In fact after 8 years I had replaced one outer bearing. The rest were original.

You need 8K axles and matching gear, also ask for upgraded Timken bearings. Whoever let you install 7K gear on a 16,000+ trailer is a crrok. Yes I know the weight is also carried on the pin, but during normal travel that weight distribution changes all the time. The wise move is 8,000 axles and gear.

[Freedom22]

I have seen bearing failures and packed many sets of bearing over the years. A good service centers tech should be able to identify what is causing the bearing failure. Low quality bearings is a possible cause. Timken has a helpful visual guide on how to identify the cause of bearing failures. Google tapered roller bearing failure for an online guide at Timken. Depending on the training level of the service technicians and damage to the bearings they may or may not be able to answer the bearing failure question. The most common cause of low mileage bearing failures after lack of Lube was improper preload being applied to the bearing and or the lack of backing off the preload as specified by Dexter axles. If the preload was not correctly completed it may show as damage on the other axles bearings. I would ask the service tech to explain the preload procedure they use or ask they follow the Dexter axle or Timken preload setting recommendations.