Jim Harmon
Wellington, Ks
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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I have 7,000 lb. axles under my 05 Holiday Rambler 5th wheel. I am comteplating changing out the entire axles to non-never lube axles instead of replacing the original drums and NV bearings. I just wondered if anyone else has made this change, and if so what all is involved?
I can buy standard or easy lube 7,000 lb. dexter axles complete with drums,electric brakes and bearings for less than replacing with never lube drums and bearings. I have had no problems with the never lubes, but know it will be time to replace them soon. Obviously I am over the Dexter 5 year warranty but only have 32,000 miles on the 5th wheel.
It just seems like a good time to make a change for something easier to work on than the never lubes, thou that has not happened. Would I have to change the wheels as well. I think my current axles have no offset, but not positive.
Anyhow, sure would appreciate some advice on the subject.......
Jim
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agesilaus
North Florida
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Joined: 05/06/2008
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Lots of Titanium owners have done it and there are pages and pages of discussion on the Titanium owners forum.
Glendale Titanium 29E34TS fifth wheel
2012 Ford F-350 4WD Lariat 6.7L
PullRite OE Series Super5th 18K
Superbumper
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SDcampowneroperator
South Dakota
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Joined: 01/25/2011
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I changed out mine, not for concern of bearings but for stronger brakes.
Read my posts from last year, 7k to 8k axle swap for the brakes
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trucker495
Linden, CA
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Joined: 06/05/2003
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Jim,
Can't answer the other questions but will put in a plug for the never lube bearings. I just replaced my neverlubes on the 04 HR TT. You can by aftermarket bearings from most bearing companys. I paid $52.00 each for then and had my local RV shop do the installation for what I considered to be a very reasonable price. Had around 50000 miles on the old ones but figured it was time to bite the bullet.
Happy trails
Kyle
04 HR ALUMASCAPE 31' TRAVEL TRAILER
05 RAM 3500 4X4 CTD SRW CREW CAB LONGBED
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Traveler II
Minnesota
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Joined: 05/30/2003
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Arn't the Nev-R-Lube good for 100,000 miles?
2011 Cameo 34SB3
2008 Chevy D/A, Smartair Air Springs, Trailer Saver BD3 Air Hitch, Mor/Ryde pin box, IS Suspension, Disk Brakes
Nights Camped in 2011 - 165
Nights Camped in 2012 - 142
Nights Camped in 2013 - 101
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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What does the manufacturer say is the service life of the bearings? With only 32k on them it seems very premature and a costly swapout.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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Charlie D.
E. Texas-Orange
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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Can't help with the bearings but I will stop in Wellington for an overnight on June 19th. with friends on the way to Hill City, Ks to hook up with another couple for a trip to Wyoming and Montana.
What's for supper?
Enjoying Your Freedom?
Thank A Veteran
Native Texan
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Jim Harmon
Wellington, Ks
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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Charlie, we are leaving for Travis AFB California on 11 June. The people who bought the RV park(KOA) bought that place and basically started from ground zero. The old owners let it slip in to complete disarray. We have checked it out for friends traveling thru the area, and for a little Kansas town it is really nice. Not fancy, but hard to believe how nice compared to what it used to be. Sorry we'll miss you.
Now, back to the bearings/axle swap question. I have not been able to find non Chinese 50mm bearings for the 5er. I know Timken's plant for this size bearing is in China, and there have been quite a few quality control issues. And, the price to change the bearings is within $15 dollars of replacing drums with bearings already installed. The lowest price I have found for four drum/bearings is $323/ea at etrailer. So, that would be about $1300 to replace all four drum/bearings. That just got me to wondering about buying new non never lube axles. It seems cheaper to do this and be away from the never lubes. Like I said I've had no issues, but trying to work on this bearing design on the side of the road or rv park would be quite difficult. I was thinking about doing this next year perhaps, just trying to do the math now.
I like being able to pull the drums(never lube axles) for a brake inspection without messing with the bearings. However, that conveinience comes with the difficulty and expense in changing bad bearings when the time comes. Yeah, only 32,000 miles but sure am past the 5 year. I just know the time for either new never lubes or an axle change is coming sometime down the road. I have not found the 50mm bearings for less than about $150/ea and no manufacturer other than Timken. That takes us back to the Chinese bearings again.
Now, with all that said can you buy any US bearings for trailer axles anymore?
Jim
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bstark
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 05/02/2004
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My 8K Nev-R-Lubes never presented me with any problems at all in over 6 years and winters of snowbirding from Ontario Can. to the Southwest U.S. along with meandering throughout the entire north american continent. The bearings were all replaced as a preventative measure with none of them displaying excessive side deflection or lube leakage just this spring on an 05 Mobile suites.
My axles had Dexter Hydraulic disc brakes and believe me when I say they would bring the entire rig (pictured in profile 34K) to a stop if ever required, not a screaming halt perhaps, but a controlled stop.
Upgrading your braking to hydraulic discs need not involve an entire axle changeout. Servicing of disc brakes requires no hub dismantling.
Nev-R-Lubes are easier to work on in my view as all you require are a torque wrench to perform preload and a pair of large circlip pliers. I've helped/performed change out of bearings on other's rigs over the years since their inception. None of that cleaning and re-packing and also none of that rear seal by-pass issue and subsequent brake damage presented by E-Z-Lube's that are mistreated with cold lube or over-pumping.
People who are obsessed with bearing or hub maintenance can still perform a bearing replacement every couple of years if they desire but it certainly isn't required as normal with the Nev-R-Lubes. A simple lift-a-wheel and check deflection tolerance is all the routine inspection required.
You are just as liable to experience a catastrophic bearing failure with ANY and ALL types of bearings; yearly inspection notwithstanding.
In short; Your piece of mind is an individual characteristic and cannot be undervalued. but were it me; I'd stick with the Nev-R-Lubes and spend my maintenance dollars and time on other parts of the running gear instead.
Today is just the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!
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ChopperBill
Colo
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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I would stay away from eze lube hubs. Too easy to over grease 'em. The last two trailers came from the dealers with over greased bearings and got on the brakes. Had to clean up that mess my self.
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