Dexter recall!?

[brad1]

My order is so delayed that this issue won’t affect delivery which remains definitely tentatively scheduled for sometime in the future

[Silverminer]

We picked up our 2022 25' International las September. Even though it's was s still 2021 our trailer had all the new 2922 features. I wonder if this affects our trailer.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by Silverminer

We picked up our 2022 25' International las September. Even though it's was s still 2021 our trailer had all the new 2922 features. I wonder if this affects our trailer.

Look further up in the replies to this thread. The list of serial numbers that are impacted are documented in a pdf file.

Your trailers serial number is the last 6 digits of your VIN number.

If your serial number is not on the list, your trailer is not impacted by this issue.

[Bueno]

It would be a bigger bummer if you axles caught on fire like mine did after less than 1,000 miles. It took months to get them replaced. I would seriously look at another vendor if that was an option. This has been an ongoing problem for years. Mine was a 2020 SOB that I took delivery of in 2019.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by Bueno

It would be a bigger bummer if you axles caught on fire like mine did after less than 1,000 miles. It took months to get them replaced. I would seriously look at another vendor if that was an option. This has been an ongoing problem for years. Mine was a 2020 SOB that I took delivery of in 2019.

Yeah, I really need to buy an IR laser thermometer to be able to check the hub and brake drum temperatures every time I stop. Brake drums can warp, and hubs can run out of grease. Not a pretty picture. Sorry for your pain, but thanks for sharing the lesson as a heads up for the rest of us. If you don't mind sharing more info, were you able to determine why the fire occured?

[AirstreamInc]

Airstream became aware of this safety issue concerning the Dexter axles that use the Nev-R-Lube bearings on June 16, 2022. For more information, Dexter resources, affected serial number list and FAQ's on this recall, please click on this link. Thank you. https://go.airstream.com/dexter

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by AirstreamInc

Airstream became aware of this safety issue concerning the Dexter axles that use the Nev-R-Lube bearings on June 16, 2022. For more information, Dexter resources, affected serial number list and FAQ's on this recall, please click on this link. Thank you. https://go.airstream.com/dexter

Definitive. Thank you.

[WkendWarrior]

One more piece of data - our AS is in the affected group, was originally expected at the dealership last week, then this week. Today I received the call letting me know about the issue and the fix which is taking place at JC.

No new ETA available yet.

[dbj216]

Thank you Airstream Inc for the excellent information concerning this issue. The recall correction sounds straight forward and it won't be long before we all have the corrected washer and confidence in towing our new trailers.

David

[rufusd7]

Originally Posted by AirstreamInc

Airstream became aware of this safety issue concerning the Dexter axles that use the Nev-R-Lube bearings on June 16, 2022. For more information, Dexter resources, affected serial number list and FAQ's on this recall, please click on this link. Thank you. https://go.airstream.com/dexter

Thank you for getting on top of this.

I am disappointed, however, that I can’t have an authorized Airstream dealer/service center do the work. Dexter is sending someone from The Bronx who claims to know what he is doing. Dexter seems to have found this guy in the yellow pages.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by rufusd7

Thank you for getting on top of this.

I am disappointed, however, that I can’t have an authorized Airstream dealer/service center do the work. Dexter is sending someone from The Bronx who claims to know what he is doing. Dexter seems to have found this guy in the yellow pages.

rufusd7,

I have Nev-R-Lube bearing on my disc brakes and have done the R&R on the Nev-R-Lube drum brake version.

While this is not the procedure that Airstream will dictate (assumption I know) this would be how I see it being done.

Chock wheel the side not being repaired.
CORRECTLY raise the trailer.
Remove a wheel.
Remove the dust cap.
Remove the small snap ring and torque spec label.
Remove the Nev-R-Lube bearing lock nut.
Remove and replace the washer with the new washer.
Replace lock nut, torque to spec, 145-155 Lb-Ft.
Replace snap ring and dust cap, install wheel, torque lug nuts.

Above is not from any Airstream doc, it's what I'd do to R&R the washer.

It's not a difficult procedure, jacking and using a jack stand and proper torque procedures would be the key points I'd be looking for. If they just bang away on the lock nut with any impact gun to tighten it that wouldn't make me smile.

And I'm including a Dexter doc on Nev-R-Lube bearing R&R that includes R&R for the drum assembly.

Good luck,

Gary

[Bueno]

Originally Posted by foobar

Yeah, I really need to buy an IR laser thermometer to be able to check the hub and brake drum temperatures every time I stop. Brake drums can warp, and hubs can run out of grease. Not a pretty picture. Sorry for your pain, but thanks for sharing the lesson as a heads up for the rest of us. If you don't mind sharing more info, were you able to determine why the fire occured?

As near as we can determine, the axles were shipped to the trailer manufacturer with little or no grease. This has apparently been going on for a few years now.

Dexter requires in their warranty paperwork that the wheel bearings be repacked and inspected annually, whether or not the trailer is used which IMHO is idiotic. What type of junk are they making? If you have the opportunity, buy any other axle other than Dexter. Unfortunately, that is the axle (probably low bid) used by most trailer manufacturers nowadays.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Bueno

As near as we can determine, the axles were shipped to the trailer manufacturer with little or no grease. This has apparently been going on for a few years now.

Dexter requires in their warranty paperwork that the wheel bearings be repacked and inspected annually, whether or not the trailer is used which IMHO is idiotic. What type of junk are they making? If you have the opportunity, buy any other axle other than Dexter. Unfortunately, that is the axle (probably low bid) used by most trailer manufacturers nowadays.

Lots of good reasons to service an axle annually, including to inspect for rust forming. This might be even more important for axles which sit unused, as there is a higher chance that there are dry portions of the inner hub assembly.

Other axles? Don't know if anyone else is making a bolt-in torsion axle which will fit. Millions of miles on Dexter axles by now is my guess, with largely good results.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by Bueno

As near as we can determine, the axles were shipped to the trailer manufacturer with little or no grease. This has apparently been going on for a few years now.

Dexter requires in their warranty paperwork that the wheel bearings be repacked and inspected annually, whether or not the trailer is used which IMHO is idiotic. What type of junk are they making? If you have the opportunity, buy any other axle other than Dexter. Unfortunately, that is the axle (probably low bid) used by most trailer manufacturers nowadays.

Folks,

Just to clarify (I hope) and not disputing the post by Bueno but this axle recall situation involves a specific bearing design used by Dexter for the Nev-R-Lube. This is a sealed cartridge type bearing. From the bearing manufacturer it is delivered as a complete bearing assembly which is then pressed into a drum (or hub for disc brakes) and installed on the axle. I posted a picture of this bearing and its washer, nut, label and snap ring in Post 32.

You CANNOT disassemble a Nev-R-Lube bearing, clean, re-grease and reinstall like the older trailer bearings. And yes I have disassembled a Timken
just to see it's innards and it uses a very unique sealing system. This design is from the same family of bearings that are used on front wheel drive applications and typically but not always sold as a complete hub assembly. But in the Dexter application the bearing CAN be replaced as a complete bearing assembly rather than a total drum (or hub) replacement.

So please don't get confused if your trailer has Nev-R-Lube bearings and your looking for annual tear down cleaning and re-greasing procedures for it. That does not apply to a Nev-R-Lube and Dexter has a well documented inspection procedure. You can find it in Post 91, page 3 of the Dexter PDF.

Airstream and Dexter have defined and documented the issue as a washer replacement, not a bearing issue.

Gary

[Luckyx18]

We picked up our new International 28 RBT 3 weeks ago any just got back from a 500 mile trip Sunday. Scary thought now. Our service rep called to tell me about the recall yesterday. She said they don’t have details but they received a list of affected trailers and ours was the only one on the list that had come through their store. If this is accurate it would suggest not all trailers are affected and they are in the process of notifying affected owners but have shut everything down in an abundance of caution. In that case there is hope they may release the unaffected trailers soon.

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by Luckyx18

We picked up our new International 28 RBT 3 weeks ago any just got back from a 500 mile trip Sunday. Scary thought now. Our service rep called to tell me about the recall yesterday. She said they don’t have details but they received a list of affected trailers and ours was the only one on the list that had come through their store. If this is accurate it would suggest not all trailers are affected and they are in the process of notifying affected owners but have shut everything down in an abundance of caution. In that case there is hope they may release the unaffected trailers soon.

As already shared above by Airstream themselves in post #86. Airstream has already released a list of the exact trailers affected, and has a resolution in place. There is an FAQ page now on their website about it.

[rufusd7]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

rufusd7,



I have Nev-R-Lube bearing on my disc brakes and have done the R&R on the Nev-R-Lube drum brake version.



While this is not the procedure that Airstream will dictate (assumption I know) this would be how I see it being done.



Chock wheel the side not being repaired.

CORRECTLY raise the trailer.

Remove a wheel.

Remove the dust cap.

Remove the small snap ring and torque spec label.

Remove the Nev-R-Lube bearing lock nut.

Remove and replace the washer with the new washer.

Replace lock nut, torque to spec, 145-155 Lb-Ft.

Replace snap ring and dust cap, install wheel, torque lug nuts.



Above is not from any Airstream doc, it's what I'd do to R&R the washer.



It's not a difficult procedure, jacking and using a jack stand and proper torque procedures would be the key points I'd be looking for. If they just bang away on the lock nut with any impact gun to tighten it that wouldn't make me smile.



And I'm including a Dexter doc on Nev-R-Lube bearing R&R that includes R&R for the drum assembly.



Good luck,



Gary

Thank you, Gary!

For proper jacking, would using a leveling block under the same side other tire to lift the wheel for service qualify? For proper torque procedures, is the use of a torque wrench to the proper torque sufficient? Is there anything more specific one would do for those two items to get them right?

[Rich Jenkins]

Here's to all involved getting the issue resolved and on the road as quickly as possible.

Thanks to this thread, I was able to check and confirm that our 2022 GT 23FBT, picked up in March, was NOT on the list, even though our S/N was within the range of S/Ns affected by this recall notice.

Subtier supplier QC issues happen to any large manufacturer. As a retired Project Manager and part time Subcontract PM in the Aerospace Industry, I am very familiar. What matters is how proactive the company is in dealing with the problem.

So far from what I've seen, Airstream has been on top of this. Much appreciate the detailed information in the posts above, and in particular, I'm impressed that a company representative would take the time to post publicly on an internet forum with additional information. Props to them.

Special thanks to all the other members who added significantly to the signal to noise ratio on this topic, as well. It is noticed.

[GCinSC2]

rudusd7,

Remember the fix is likely going to include directions from AS on how to do this job. I just offered an overview of the procedure trying to address your concerns.

Many folks do use a drive up on blocks or trailer aid device to raise a wheel for servicing.

I'm a DIY type and I lift my 30' rig with a 1 ton pickup jack placed under the main frame right between the wheels. It does allow for a jack stand also. But the big NO NO is any jack placed under the axle beam to lift. That's absolutely unacceptable for the Dexter axle. PERIOD.

Wheel torque specs and procedure are even in your owners manual. Busting them down with an impact and wiping your hands, nope. Click the torque wrench X 6 per wheel.

Gary

Send Ohio sweet corn! We don't get the really good stuff here.

[hgrimmnitz]

Originally Posted by AirstreamInc

Airstream became aware of this safety issue concerning the Dexter axles that use the Nev-R-Lube bearings on June 16, 2022. For more information, Dexter resources, affected serial number list and FAQ's on this recall, please click on this link. Thank you. https://go.airstream.com/dexter

Thank you for this information.

I called the Dexter Customer Service line on 6/24 and they are overnight shipping me the new washers and have arranged for a mobile technician to do the repair on 6/27 (the day the washers are to arrive).

I'm some impressed.

I just wish that either Airstream or Dexter had actually gotten in contact with me other than a phone call from our sales rep telling me about the problem.