Timken wheel bearings

[Ampman]

First year and about 6k miles on USA made Timken bearings and races and they look like brand new. I replaced the offshore made generic bearings and races last year after noticing slight discoloration on several units. A couple of them were only one year old. The Timken units were nearly twice the cost of the offshore brand but seeing this performance I'm glad I spent the extra money. Still seeing some seepage thru the offshore made seals but very minor. Anybody find a quality double lip bearing seal that is worth the money? Still using Lucas brand red #2 grease and will change to something else next year. That stuff settles out a runny red liquid from my grease guns. Any suggestions on a good bearing grease? Anyway, ready to head for the mountains.

[carl2591]

did you change wheel bearing grease from the red Lucas to something else and how is it working and what did you use.

[tjdonahoe]

I flung the offshore bearings were fine on my old trailer , they got packer every 15000 miles, timken bearings are the best, your grease is fine, don't worry about a little oil when it gets warm.....

[switz]

Our 2015 23D was trucked from the factory to the dealer on the East coast arriving 7 October 2014 where it sat for 9.5 months until we purchased it. It had the stock 10" drum brakes and axles. The 14" tires and wheels were upgraded to 15" SenDel T03-56545T wheels and 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires with Centramatic 200-221 wheel balancers and a Dill 1505-453 TPMS system before leaving the dealership.

I towed it about 1,900 miles to Paradise, Texas via CanAM in London, Ontario (for a Hensley Arrow hitch tune up). I suggested while doing extensive modifications to the 23D at A&P Vintage Trailer Works that we check the wheel bearings. One set was badly scored from inadequate grease and the other three were not well packed with grease. Was lack or improper grease in the bearings Dexter Axle's or Airstream's fault? The issue required immediate remediation before moving the trailer.

We replaced the damaged bearing set with Timken Set 4 and Set 17 bearing sets and the Timken 442251 seal. We also repacked the other three OEM bearings.

The trailer is returning in May, 2016 to Texas for a few more tweaks including converting the trailer to self adjusting drum brakes. We will replace all four bearing sets with the same new Timken bearings and seals while everything is disassembled.

Note that these three Timken made in USA products can be found on Amazon using the part numbers shown at substantial savings. These Timken parts are for the 10" drum brake assembly usually associated with 14" tires and wheels.

[Siegmann]

I got the double lipped seals from Inland. I don't change the grease as often as recommended, but the grease always looks good, as do the original bearings. And Inland supplied seals have never leaked a bit.

[Ampman]

Still using the red grease. Timkens still look great. Guess I'll keep using the red grease since it still has the highest temp rating.

[perryg114]

Good US made Timkin bearings should last longer than the trailer. I use Moly (gray stuff) based Valvoline grease in the grease gun cartridges. Moly is a dry lube and works even when the grease is gone. If the red stuff is working then keep using it.

Perry

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by switz

Was lack or improper grease in the bearings Dexter Axle's or Airstream's fault?

That would be on Dexter as the axles are fully assembled before shipping to JC.

I prefer the highest quality synthetic grease I can get. Normally Mobil1, but there are many good greases that are available.

Page 53 of the Dexter manual lists the proper grease specification and lists a few greases that meet the requirements.

Like switz, I buy new Timken sets from Amazon.

[crispyboy]

I also changed the bearing sets out to Timkens. Many years of superior service from Timkens in other equipment. I did keep a set of the old inner and outer bearings, pregreased them and put them in a plastic ziplock bag in case of emergency.
Two years ago I assisted a friend of mine with greasing the bearings on his SOB camper. The Chinese bearings had a plastic cage holding it all together. We made a quick trip to the parts store to remedy this situation.

I think all grease guns drip no matter which grease is used.
I use Valvoline synthetic grease on everything as it is available in many parts houses.

[switz]

I have elected to carry a couple of spare sets of the TimKen bearings and seals. That way there will never be a bearing issue.

[carl2591]

typically what year models have the ezy lube axles.. It appears there is a hole machined into the center and comes out behind the inboard bearing.. You pump grease in and it pushes old grease out.

I was thinking it was a lot like the bearing buddys, more or less, we used on boat trailers to keep water out of the hubs when launching boats.. are they (BB) not useable on TT as well?

[perryg114]

I think many bearing problems are caused by too little grease. Most shops pack the bearings and don't put any extra grease in the cup or hub. This gets you about a year of use. Other problems include having the bearings too tight so when they get hot the loads go way up.

Perry

[tjdonahoe]

I do not miss packing my wheel bearings every year, as my current as has sealed bearings,now with 22000 miles, so far so good...

[Action]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I think many bearing problems are caused by too little grease. Most shops pack the bearings and don't put any extra grease in the cup or hub. This gets you about a year of use. Other problems include having the bearings too tight so when they get hot the loads go way up.

Perry

In the automotive world (car and light truck) it was shown that typically wheel bearings were over packed. Too much grease is an issue in the summer time. Things heat up and expand. If the hub is too full of grease the grease (which will act like a liquid) will be forced past the seal or out the hub causing issues.

So the automotive went to permanently sealed hubs with removable disc brake discs. This has greatly cut down on cost of maintenance. I have a set of hubs on a Lincoln that has 204,000+ miles and are still good with little play.

The trailer world is a bit different. Loads are typically higher than cars and as much as loaded full sized pick ups. The technology is out there and on the road to deliver sealed hubs with disc brake assemblies.

>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Moflash]

Some Timken bearings are Chinese made.Be aware,pay a little more and get the USA made Timken's.There is a difference.



Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Ampman]

Exactly. I ordered mine from Inland Truck service here locally. The guy at the counter told me they are only supposed to be shipped the USA bearings. When they came in they were. Paid a whole lot more but it's my money and hopefully will help save an American worker their job. At least that's my hope.

[Zil]

Learn to pack bearings by hand. Then you can use a tub of Wheel Bearing Grease. Repacking once per year is good. But quality bearings should be good for 100K miles or more.

[Ampman]

Quality is the key word there! A lot of inferior offshore stuff out there. Packing bearings by hand is actually kind of fun. Been doing it for decades. Plus it's one of the things every man should be able to do. Tried all the bearing packers over the years and they are not any cleaner or better. Plus that's one less thing to carry on trips. Red tacky goop comes in the tubs too. Nothing beats starting the towing season better than a fresh bearing service.

[BoldAdventure]

Originally Posted by Moflash

Some Timken bearings are Chinese made.Be aware,pay a little more and get the USA made Timken's.There is a difference.

They won't be made in the US for much longer, they're moving jobs out of Ohio and to India. Can't compete with slave labor.

Better order up spares now!

[Ampman]

Good idea. I'll get some ordered and stashed away. Truly is a shame to lose jobs that way. Thanks.