** Bearings went bad and hub is damaged **

[silverwheels]

Aviator,
are the breaks nev-r-adjusting? do you have to buy the axle that way in order to get the breaks that way? im confused.

thanks for clarifying this for me

[pappy19]

When I had my bearings packed after I first bought my used '02 Classic, they apparently didn't use the AS seals, just cheap ones. While they were kinked in installation, I was lucky. When I did the next packing, I had a friend do them in my driveway and I had ordered a complete set of seals from AS. The seals from AS are 10 times better than the cheap ones most RV outfits use. I highly suggest you get the seals from AS directly, they are very much better. I also changed out the whole brake assembly on my front brakes, also from AS.

[SeeMore]

The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust are a bolt on, no-mod replacement to the old stock brakes and need to be ordered to match your specific axle size. Always do both sides of the axle together. They can be acquired new (faceplate assembly and magnet) for a cost similar to or cheaper than rebuilding springs, shoes, etc., of the old. Bolt on and connect electrics when you repack the bearings. Good to go.

[Aviator]

SeeMore is correct. In your case, I would order a set with the new axle, and a second set for the axle which will stay on the trailer. Then all your brakes will be exactly the same with the same wear, etc. They self adjust each time you apply the breaks with forward motion (not like the old car ones where you had to be in reverse)

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by silverwheels

Aviator,
are the breaks nev-r-adjusting? do you have to buy the axle that way in order to get the breaks that way? im confused.

thanks for clarifying this for me

The never adjust is just another excuse not to check the brakes.

Bob

[Bait guy]

Wow, I am sure glad I have been reading this forum on problems and how to avert them. This morning I pulled off my hubs to check bearings for the upcoming SW trip next month, anyways I found "China" bearings with 2 colors of grease and some rust build-up ( I assume from sitting for a time), I have since ordered good bearings and races and will install them this afternoon and wont worry about that on our trip, so thanks to all of you that already had this problem, my message would be If you dont know, pull the hubs for your own piece of mind.

[silverwheels]

So it turns out that ordering the axle directly from the manufacturer is cheaper than going through the local distributor. The local distributor also mentioned that they could not order the part per Airstream specs?? Huh??

Got the part last Friday and waiting to get it installed so I can have her on the road again. Thanks you all for your support comments and suggestions.

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by silverwheels

Hi guys Abe the mobile repair guy came out yesterday. Highly recommend him. Looks like the nut was too tight or cross threaded. Since the original work was done in AZ I'm pretty much stuck with the bill. Lucky for me Abe's hrly rate is $30 cheaper than most shops!! And he comes to you!! Awesome!!

Hi Silverwheels,

Last Wednesday, Abe (RV Mobile Service 2U) came out and cleaned and repacked our bearings, and cleaned, inspected and adjusted our brakes.

We were very impressed with his knowledge, experience, and work.

Good luck with your axle replacement and getting on the road again!

Bill

[silverwheels]

Got her up and running! Yay!!!

[SilverGate]

Yay!!! Congratulations!

[silverwheels]

Im so excited!!! Have a question ..... does your tv work when u r boondocking?

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by silverwheels

Im so excited!!! Have a question ..... does your tv work when u r boondocking?

Our 2007 Safari's TV works fine for watching DVDs while doing non-hook-up camping because we have a 600 watt inverter that came with the trailer when it was built. But to see the digital channels of today, I would need to have a converter box installed. I have not done so because we feel no need to watch TV programs while camping... we would rather conserve our batteries by listening to the radio and our local KPBS-FM's wonderful programs!

[silverwheels]

Really? I know my rig comes with an inverter but my tv doesnt work? any thoughts?

[carl2591]

Originally Posted by silverwheels

Really? I know my rig comes with an inverter but my tv doesnt work? any thoughts?

not the expert here. but if you have a older tube tv might be too much for 600 watter to handle.. the newer digital tv use only like 1.2 amps which is some 253 watts. guess also depends on battery cap etc..

just throwing out ideas.

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by silverwheels

Really? I know my rig comes with an inverter but my tv doesnt work? any thoughts?

Yes! Since this is a "new-to-you" trailer, you may not know that when you are "boondocking" and want to watch the TV, you need to unplug the TV from the regular AC receptacle and plug it into the nearby "Inverter Circuit" receptacle with the the blue label indicating 'Inverter Circuit". Then go over to your galley and under the Systems Monitor and other receptacles is the Inverter Switch (a "Push On/Off" button) that needs to be turned On to power your inverter.... then turn on your TV. (Don't forget to turn off the inverter when done watching the TV and monitor your battery frequently while "boondocking".)

You also might want to check to see if your inverter is large enough for your TV.

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

Yes! Since this is a "new-to-you" trailer, you may not know that when you are "boondocking" and want to watch the TV, you need to unplug the TV from the regular AC receptacle and plug it into the nearby "Inverter Circuit" receptacle with the the blue label indicating "Inverter Circuit". Then go over to your galley and under the Systems Monitor and other receptacles is the Inverter Switch (a "Push On/Off" button) that needs to be turned On to power your inverter.... then turn on your TV. (Don't forget to turn off the inverter when done watching the TV and monitor your battery frequently while "boondocking".)

You also might want to check to see if your inverter is large enough for your TV.

In the photos below, you will see that our TV is plugged into the regular AC receptacle [when using while on shore power] and that the Inverter Circuit receptacle is labeled and on the right side.

By the galley in our 2007 23' Safari are our monitors, and at the bottom is the Inverter Switch (shown as a close-up in the last photo).

[silverwheels]

Thanks for the pics!! You made my life easy. I know my handbook says my rig comes with an inverter but I don't see one anywhere. I'm probably goin to call airstream to confirm my model has one and where it may be.

Once again you have been more than helpful! You rock!!

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by silverwheels

Thanks for the pics!! You made my life easy. I know my handbook says my rig comes with an inverter but I don't see one anywhere. I'm probably goin to call airstream to confirm my model has one and where it may be.

Once again you have been more than helpful! You rock!!

Are you sure your handbook says you have an inverter (or does it actually say "converter", which all trailers have). My Owners Manual does not list "inverter" in its index because it is an optional item.

I did find our inverter years ago by removing the street-side front lounge cushions, which revealed a hole, and forward of the hole is a "secret trap door", and upon lifting it, revealed our 600-watt Sine Wave Inverter made by WFCO.

See post #281 & 282 of SilverGate's Safari is Home at Last!

Also see this thread: "What is an inverter?"

[silverwheels]

And there lies the problem!! I confused inverter with converter!! Haha I'm a newbie can you tell?


Thanks for all your help silver gate!!

[SilverGate]

You're very welcome, silverwheels, and welcome to the wonderful world of Airstreaming!

Bill

(And that was a nice way to make my one thousandth post!)