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frederic.c01 · 08-05-2006, 10:38 AM

hi all
after how many miles i must lubricate the bearings of wheels ?

Alumaholic · 08-05-2006, 10:50 AM

Yep, according to the Service Manual, you should clean and repack the bearings each year.
It really isn't a milage issue in the case of a trailer that isn't used consistently. Sitting for prolonged periods (months at a time) can be worse than daily useage.
At one time in the Marine Corps, in hot climates, we kept all our trailer mounted equipment up on jackstands and would spin the wheels once a month just to keep the bearings lubricated. We still cleaned and repacked the wheel bearings each year, more often if we dragged it through the surf on an amphibious landing.

john hd · 08-05-2006, 10:53 AM

the book says once a year or every 10K miles.

john

jimmickle · 08-05-2006, 10:59 AM

If they are properly lubricated in the first place, 15,000 is soon enough. Really, the only reason to do it that soon is to check the brakes. If it weren't for the needing to check the brakes, bearings should be good for at least 50,000 miles.

The key thing is to pressure pack the bearings, so they are really packed, and proper adjustment with some end play. They should NOT be tight. .003-.005 end play is about right.

Be sure to properly torque the wheels in star patern. Typically, 90-100 lb ft. If you are using an air wrench, get a "torque stick" for your air wrench at a good auto parts store. It a one piece socket with a built-in extension. The length and diameter of the extension part controls the flex that controls the torque. They work great.

Alumaholic · 08-05-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john hd

the book says once a year or every 10K miles.

john

John,
It is my interpretation of the manual that you must lubricate once a year if you don't pull it 10K miles. Do you concur?

frederic.c01 · 08-05-2006, 11:01 AM

I do not dismount the bearings, just the hat and I grease inside.thank you for your information.I live in France not in the country of the airstream, I must arrange myself all alone.

john hd · 08-05-2006, 11:05 AM

klevan, yes i do for the exact reasons you stated.

also it is not a bad idea to do it for no other reason to take a look at the brakes for missing and broken parts.

i have been able to save hundreds of dollars in repairs to the drums on my wells cargo 20 footer by catching broken brake springs rolling around inside the drums.

oddly enough i had three brake springs fail in less than 2 years of the trailer being new. i have never had a failure on the airstream, but that does not prevent me from looking every year!

john

TOM CRUMP · 08-05-2006, 07:30 PM

Reason ? I just installed a set of new dexter axles equipped with NEV-R-Lube bearings, run 100k miles and replace them

john hd · 08-05-2006, 07:33 PM

tom what makes them maintenence free?

synthetic grease?

john

scottanlily · 08-05-2006, 07:54 PM

Hello john hd,
Probably a unit bearing assembly I am thinking .All front wheel drive cars
have them and many rear wheel bearings are a unit bearing assy now.
They are just a permanently sealed bearing setup in the hub ,and you can't grease them .they last for very long periods of time easily 100 000 miles.
Interestingly ,they are a ball bearing cage design ,not a timkin tapered roller
bearing like regular trailer and auto/truck bearings are.I myself don't know the grease type either .I haven't researched the neverlube ,but they look like
the type I described.The unit bearing design solves so many bearing problems
and are very reliable.

Scott

Scott

TOM CRUMP · 08-05-2006, 08:12 PM

The shop that installed my axles told me Dexter landed the contract with A/S to manufacture axles for new A/S trailers, the installers recommended the nev-r-lube bearings, they cater to livestock haulers and rodeo people that put lots of miles on stock trailers, the bearings have been well tested and they're completely sold on theses sealed bearings, Looks like Dexter has beat henshen axle out of the A/S business, Any comments ?

Frank S · 08-05-2006, 09:02 PM

Hi TOM CRUMP--Do you know if A/S uses the nev-r-lube bearings on Dexter axles for new trailers?--Frank S

TOM CRUMP · 08-05-2006, 09:24 PM

Dont know about the bearings, only Dexter took the axle business at a/s away from henshen, this was told to me when we ordered my new axles

CanoeStream · 08-06-2006, 05:52 AM

Hello Tom -- I could be wrong (and am frequently!) but seem to recall that Airstream dropped Henschen in early- to mid-2005 after quality control issues -- dry bearings & resultant hub failures! My Safari was built a year ago this week and has the Dexters. That didn't last long and they started using Henschens again some time in the middle of the 2006 models IIRC.

scottanlily · 08-07-2006, 12:25 AM

Hello tom ,
I think henschen is a good product,although definately a problem with the dry
bearing situation .The never lube should be a must sell for retrofit on any
axle brand ,probably will be ,as for henschen not being a player ,doubtful ,
inland Andy had alluded abit in another thread that they were going to be
in the game again ,put the neverlube hubs on them and it really doesn't
make alot of difference as long as quality comes out in the end ,dexter or
henschen either choice as long as its quality we get.

Scott

**Action** · 08-07-2006, 11:07 AM

FWIW
My Mark VIII has permanently sealed front wheel bearings. The car has 140,000 on it and I have never had the front hubs off the car. Given the opportunity, I would rather have those bearings that have to do the maintenence on them.

The load on my Mark is much lighter than my Overlander. However the use that my Mark sees is far beyond what my Overlander will ever see with my ownership.

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

john hd · 08-07-2006, 11:09 AM

hey sealed spherical bearings are great!

my 88 chevy pickup made it to 275,000 before needing a replacement!

john

Boondocker · 08-07-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOM CRUMP

Reason ? I just installed a set of new dexter axles equipped with NEV-R-Lube bearings, run 100k miles and replace them

what do those cost?

TOM CRUMP · 08-07-2006, 12:25 PM

I had the axles replaced, new wheels the total bill includes labor was $1314

empresley · 08-07-2006, 01:26 PM

I sell 4 different brands of trailers and my recommendation to customers is to keep a spare set of bearings & seal to take along on any out-of-town trips. No matter how frequent or well packed, bearings occasionally decide to fail. Another suggestion is to become familiar with the hub temp. (by touching) when traveling. A bit crude but an effective way of getting a early warning if a hub gets to hot to touch. This early warning is better than having a bearing weld itself to a spindle and ruin an axle. When towing I try to remember to touch hubs when we stop for fuel.
Dexter introduced the EZ-lube hub several years ago and some feel that it creates a false sense of security about lubricating bearings the old fashion way. Remove, clean, inspect and repack.
The new Never Lube will do a great job, but there will always be the factory defect or blemish that causes premature bearing failure.
From experience my best advice is: Get to know how warm your hubs are running and carry along an extra set of bearings.
Good luck on the road.