sjholt
Henderson, NV
Senior Member
Joined: 04/08/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
Has anyone ever converted their front wheel bearing to the hub oiler type?
Thanks,
Skip
1996 32' Monaco Windsor DP
Cummins 5.9L 230 HP
5 Airbags in front- 4 in back
|
Kodiak5er
Alex Bay NY Summer; Sanford FL Winter
Senior Member
Joined: 07/11/2004
View Profile
|
I've not converted to oil bath hubs but I'm interested in the idea.
1990 6500 Chevy Kodiak, 8.3L Cummins 450 HP
6sp Allison 3060, 3.70 R/A Home Made Air Ride
2006 Newmar Cypress - Picture's of our old one
|
mapguy
Puget Sound
Senior Member
Joined: 09/02/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
It is a great idea if you use your vehicle/trailer on a very regular basis to keep lubricant distributed and mositure free.
My experience has been that units that sit for long periods between usage have increased bearing maintenance costs/issues.
Map Guy
|
az99
N.Y.
Senior Member
Joined: 12/26/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I had them on a triple axle trailer and they worked well for me. That said the trailer mfg. stopped offering them as there were too many problems. Things I remember are broken caps and lost oil, seal leakage and oil soaked brakes plus the above rusting issue. The seals and axle have to be perfect or the oil will leak out. My 2 cents would be to leave well enough alone with the grease hubs.
|
CarlGeo
Central San Joaquin Valley, CA
New Member
Joined: 02/24/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Are you refering to the Stemco type lubicating hubs? If so, I have them on my 1998 Safari, and they seem to be trouble free. I have not owned the coach for a long time, but so far I do like them. I do have Accuride aluminum wheels, and the center hubs must have the center section open for visual inspection of the lubricant in the hubs.
|
|
|
Jaseds
NE TN.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/16/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Why do you want to change to oil? If you use the synthetic grease it is as good as anything and does not leak if installed with the correct seals and the correct mechanic. I am thinking of switching mine to grease if i have to redo the seals. I have been doing this type work for many years and we always switch our trailers to grease and order new ones that way. You will notice all leasing companies will use grease type because less chance of ruining an axle and need to be looked at less often. Just my experiences
 Have A Nice Day
|
Mousefart
New Jersey
Senior Member
Joined: 08/15/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
mapguy wrote:It is a great idea if you use your vehicle/trailer on a very regular basis to keep lubricant distributed and mositure free.
My experience has been that units that sit for long periods between usage have increased bearing maintenance costs/issues.
Map Guy
Map Guy is correct. Oil bath hubs are for commercial trailers that are constantly on the road. They are no good for trailer that sit for long periods like RV and boat trailers.
And no, Bearing Buddies and EZ-Lube hubs aren't the answer either. They are for BOAT trailers only. Just becuase some RV trailer manufacturers use them as a SALES GIMMICK doesn't make it good. If your trailer doesn't back into the water with ever use, those items are no good.
Paul (Mouse)
2007 Flagstaff Shamrock 17 Hybrid (heavily modified for boondocking and winter camping).
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab, 4.7L HO engine, Factory tow package, Equil-i-zer WD Hitch, Prodigy brake controller.
Yamaha EF2400 Generator.
|
Fleet Man
Western WA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/27/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
Have you considered using a synthetic semi fluid grease such as Mobil SHC 007. You get all the benefits of an oil bath hub without the concern of it leaking through an inner seal and contaminating the brake shoes. Pack the bearings like you would with a normal wheel bearing grease and fill the center cavity of the hub up to level like it was filled with a liquid.
2007 Winnebago Journey 34H
Toad, '08 Ford Taurus X
Blue OX, Aventa
US Gear UBS
|
sjholt
Henderson, NV
Senior Member
Joined: 04/08/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Why oil hubs?
The bro-in-law and I changed his wheel bearing and hub seals in his big truck at 590,000 miles for the first time(he is lazy).
Yes- his seals leaked causing the bearings to go at 590,000 MILES!
The brakes, according to him, are oil proof- all we did was wash them down with acetone and they worked perfect.
What and how do the mechanics do at camping world in packing wheel bearings or anywhere else. How do you know if it is a proper job?
The PO of my Mohome has bearing failure because some clutz mechanic tightened the wheel bearings too tight while packing the bearings.
Oil hubs can be checked anytime and you know the bearings are lubed. If it is down some- you can suspect a leak and replace the seal.
How do you know is there is enough grease in there?
I had a mechanical engineer wiped some grease on the bearings on a trailer kit that I bought to put together- saying that is enough to lube it properly and you don't need anymore.
You guessed it- on my first trip I had 2 out of four bearings go TU.
I want to KNOW that the bearings are good to go.
Millions and millions of trucks with oil hubs can't be wrong.
Thanks,
|
