Bearing and Hub failure

anijet · 09-19-2009, 09:16 PM

We pulled off I80 to spend the night at Cabela's in sidney, NE. DW said something didn't look right. Yep, I agreed. Parked and pulled the wheel off and found this:
[/img]

Gemstone · 09-19-2009, 09:43 PM

I guess you're going to take her out to dinner! How many miles on the bearings ? Had you noticed any leakage ?

Gemstone

rverdlm · 09-20-2009, 08:45 AM

What kind of bearing are they?

Motor31 · 09-20-2009, 09:45 AM

I believe that Doubletree specs sealed bearings from Dexter axles on their rigs. That's what it looks like to me. There will be little leakage from them if they do fail since there isn't that much grease in them.

You were very lucky to have caught it when you did instead of having a wheel separation in motion. I'd bet you will need a full spindle replacement as well as the bearing.

What kind of brakes do you have on the rig?

When traveling I stop more than once during the day and check tire and hub temps each time I stop. It takes just a second to put the back of my fingers against the side wall and hub to see if any wheel is running hot. Since I have over 4 years on the rig this last August and over 20,000 miles on the trailer I am thinking about swapping the bearings as a preventative maintenance operation this winter. I would hope that they would last longer but I'm not going to assume they will.

billr · 09-20-2009, 10:45 AM

Wow! Good catch! Could have caught on fire too!

Will be interested to hear what DRV/Dexter does for you. They should be covering 100%. Now to look at the others?

This came up before on these so called "Neverlube" bearings! No service can be done on them from what I understand.

Wonder what the cost to replace??

Bill

anijet · 09-20-2009, 10:50 AM

I have a feeling it will be more than A dinner!

We usually stop each 150 miles or so for a break. Sometimes when it's really hot out I use an inferred gun and shoot all the wheels but didn't this day. We stopped about 130 miles prior to this stop and I always do a walk-around and at least look everything over on both vehicles. This is an 8,000# axle with Never-lub hubs and bearings. Brakes are hydraulic disc. This is the fourth trip across the country. My best guess on mileage is ~25,000 miles and is not yet 3 years old (Jan 07). I have weight slips and we are running well under the rated axle weight. Dexter's web site says they have a 100,000 mile or 5 year warranty. I'll find out Monday how well they respond. From what I understand they are really good about standing behind their products.

BTW, I thought I was prepared but found out I didn't have a socket for the lug nuts with me. They are 1 1/16". Fortunately there was a hardware store open that had individual sockets and they had the size.

anijet · 09-20-2009, 10:57 AM

More pictures. It broke the back of the hub. Will need a new axle. Bearing internals are welded to the spindle.

morscuba · 09-20-2009, 11:27 AM

Glad your safe and the damage wasn't worse. I got kinda lazy about those stops to check,,,"aw the next rest area will do it" I'll be going back to a little more due diligence

anijet · 09-20-2009, 01:55 PM

After researching a little I'm now not sure if I should be dealing with DVR, Lippert, Kodiak Brakes or Dexter. There is a Lippert tag on the back axle and the hub/bearings are Kodiak. I always thought they were Dexter axles but now I'm not sure. Anyone have any input?

Thanks,
Leo

wwc · 09-20-2009, 02:02 PM

I have a friend that has an 07 MS that just had the same thing happen. He was traveling around l5 mph having just started off when the wheel came off. It ruined the tire and rim, plus the bearings on the axle. He said that his was a Lippert axle and that is who he contacted. Now my information is second hand, but from what he told me, he was very dissatisfied with Lippert service. Not only did it take around l0 days for the parts to arrive, Lippert would not answer his calls or call him back. Also they offered no help in cost of the repairs. He called DRV and it is my undertanding that DRV is going to take care of it.
wwc
2006 MS

morscuba · 09-20-2009, 06:19 PM

I had a question on the axels last month or so. I called DRV customer service and Charles looked it up in my file and was able to tell me that they were Lippert axels. I wondered why I recieved Dexter books when I took delivery. Some units came with Dexter's so I would call tomorrow and ask the guys at DVR CS

Jack in Alaska · 09-20-2009, 11:52 PM

This event is a RV'ers worst nightmare. My MS has approx. 30k miles on it. I always check the bearings/tires with a temp. gun but it appears that it is not enough. What is enough.?? How do you prevent this?? 100k mile/5 yr warranty but when "the wheels fall off" 100 miles from West Armpit Montana you are in real trouble.
I plan on a complete take apart check up next month on my rig before hitting the road. It also includes 2 new tires to replace 2 original 2003 tires. That is all one can do and hope for the best. I am out of warranty by 6 mo. so like they say......I am my own warranty station.

anijet · 09-21-2009, 10:02 AM

I talked with DRV this morning. They said it is a Lippert problem call them. I called Lippert and sent them pictures and they know what I need but said warranty is only 2 years. I told them my warranty paperwork clearly indicates 3 years. They told me that is a DRV issue. Called DRV and sent them pictures. Waiting to hear back at this point.

Gemstone · 09-21-2009, 11:09 AM

To my way of thinking, it's a DRV issue....but how soon they step up to the plate is another issue.

If they stated/implied a three year warranty on the overall package, when the parts they use to build that package carry a lesser warranty, then it seems logical that their intent was to extend the warranty on the parts in order to enhance the overall product in the eyes of the consumer.

Just my opinion

Gemstone

anijet · 09-21-2009, 04:11 PM

I started at 6:00 Mountain time this morning and by noon I had confirmation that parts will be shipped today from Lippert. DRV is taking care of everything under warranty and even agreed to ship UPS second day air. Should have new axle, hub and one brake assembly Wednsday. Maybe we can hit the road on Thursday.

I am very pleased with Gary's (Lippert) and Greg's (DRV) handling of the problem!

I think I will see what it takes to change the bearing cartridge in the other three when I get home.

Diesel-Gypsy · 09-21-2009, 11:06 PM

Good news Leo, great to see cooperation between Lippert & DRV on this obvious warranty issue.

I wonder if my DEXTER axles are any better or worse than what you have.... :?

Rick

Huck · 09-22-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

I think I will see what it takes to change the bearing cartridge in the other three when I get home.

That sounds like a good idea...

I hope you get things fixed and you get back on the road soon.

anijet · 09-22-2009, 09:02 AM

Hey Huck,
Did I meet you a couple of years ago in west PA and you bought my TrailAir pin box. If so, HI, if not, maybe we'll somewhere down the road anyways.
Leo

billr · 09-22-2009, 09:22 AM

Has Cabelas (outdoors store right?) been good with you parked there and getting repairs done in their lot? Not like you can move I guess? Better there than on the side of the road!

All the best in getting back on the road again.

Keep us posted on how things work out!

Bill

anijet · 09-22-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billr

Has Cabelas (outdoors store right?) been good with you parked there and getting repairs done in their lot? Not like you can move I guess? Better there than on the side of the road! Bill

Cabelas in Sidney has a very nice campground. All pull-thru with full hookup and one row with elect only. Almost fills up every evening and is almost empty during the day. Highly recommend it if anyone needs a stopping point along I80. Plus it's nice to have the store to brouse in the evening. Also two nice resturants within walking distance.