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gtc6452 · 03-28-2013, 11:33 AM

just read in the Blue Beret that you should not use the Centramatic Wheel balancers with the Nev-R-lube bearings, what has anyone heard?

dznf0g · 03-28-2013, 11:38 AM

Their contention is that it offsets the load by about 1mm, creating a potential uneven loading of the bearings. The same theory holds for all bearing setups, not just Nev-r-lubes. In theory they are correct......in practice....I have heard of no issues. I will continue to use my centramatics with my Nev-r-lubes, as I have on some vehicles in the past.

Jim Clark · 03-28-2013, 12:02 PM

This is what I love about the internet no matter what you think you know you don't. On RV.net they were talking about Michelin tires and blow outs,they were talking about class A units and bigger tires here Michelin LT tires are the go to tire. I am going to keep my just installed centramatics, not rolled one revolution yet, on my trailer along with the Goodyear tires it came with. I will watch those tires like a hawk, I do believe the can have issues the Centramatics not so much.

TomW · 03-28-2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

This is what I love about the internet no matter what you think you know you don't. ...

Yes, and it's all true!

Bon jour,
Tom

gtc6452 · 03-29-2013, 04:26 AM

this is coming from someone at airstream.

Arrowstream · 04-09-2013, 05:36 AM

What dznf0g said... the Nev-r-lubes require a zero offset. Dexter has that specified in their product description.
" Use only zero offset wheels on these axles"

jdalrymple · 04-09-2013, 06:32 AM

I would call it sadomasochistic equine necrophilia,

but that is beating a dead horse.

I will continue to travel with with my Centramatics installed.

Regards,

JD

JBinKC · 04-09-2013, 07:15 AM

Keep wheels balanced by having them load-test balanced when they're serviced and you have your cake and eat it, too: Nev-R-Lube-bearings and balanced wheels.

dznf0g · 04-09-2013, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBinKC

Keep wheels balanced by having them load-test balanced when they're serviced and you have your cake and eat it, too: Nev-R-Lube-bearings and balanced wheels.

But that does nothing for the notoriously unbalanced hub and rotor/drums.

daveswenson · 08-08-2013, 10:51 PM

I had a long talk with Jerry Robertson, Director of Tech Support at Centramatic, today. He was very familiar with the Schu's article in the Blue Beret and has been in touch with both Schu and the engineers at Dexter. He threw a lot of info at me but Ill try to summarize. In trying to pin Dexter down they admitted that it would take 1/4 to 1/2 inch of offset to cause bearing problems. Since the Centramatic is only about 20/1000ths thick,it shouldn't be a problem, but since Dexter had not tested the Centramatic they could not endorse it. He tried to get Airstream to print a clarification. They refused, saying since Dexter wouldn't give an OK they couldn't either.

Sounds like a lot of CYA. I'll be ordering mine.

dznf0g · 08-09-2013, 08:10 AM

Dave, this is exactly what my experience tells me. However, I do think that as little as 5 - 10mm of offset could reduce bearing life, so I am a little taken a'back at the 1/4 to 1/2" statement.

daveswenson · 08-09-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Dave, this is exactly what my experience tells me. However, I do think that as little as 5 - 10mm of offset could reduce bearing life, so I am a little taken a'back at the 1/4 to 1/2" statement.

In retrospect I think the 1/4 to 1/2" figure was when it would get critical. Jerry is a Texan so he talked a lot. And since 10 mm is about 3/8 inch the numbers aren't that far off.

I think that the 5/1000" that Jerry claimed is the Centramatic offset would be well within what you could expect to experience just from tire or wheel variations. If Dexter is expecting those tight of tolerances in the real world then we all are going to have problems, Centramatics or not.

Inland RV Center, In · 08-09-2013, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveswenson

In retrospect I think the 1/4 to 1/2" figure was when it would get critical. Jerry is a Texan so he talked a lot. And since 10 mm is about 3/8 inch the numbers aren't that far off.

I think that the 5/1000" that Jerry claimed is the Centramatic offset would be well within what you could expect to experience just from tire or wheel variations. If Dexter is expecting those tight of tolerances in the real world then we all are going to have problems, Centramatics or not.

Dexter makes many claims that I think are from the "real old school".

They say no shocks needed, but Airstream makes them do it.

Dexter has drawing for the shock brackets, that we have, but they say it's a waste of money.

Personally, I think the scare tactics is about worn out.

If the never lube is that critical, then what happens when several ounces of weight is added to the wheel to balance it?

I really think the saga is in it's last chapter, since the Dexter old timers are about aged out.

Technology advances, in spite of some people.

There are many things today that just a few years ago were said to be impossible.

I love my "impossible" 12 volt portable little refrigerator that works off of 12 volts DC. No compressor, but keeps things at 40 degrees. No ice, no water, no mess. Then if you wish, reverse the polarity and the frig becomes a warmer, keeping things at 140 degrees.

The small frig holds a little more than 12 12 ounce cans.

Even comes with an AC adapter so that you pre cool or pre warm it in your home.

Fanastic to travel with.

Andy

Target was selling them for $ 29.95.

nickmeloy · 08-09-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc6452

just read in the Blue Beret that you should not use the Centramatic Wheel balancers with the Nev-R-lube bearings, what has anyone heard?

I have been running Centramatics on our 2006 30 ft. Classic for about three years and a little over 25,000 miles with no indication of problems to date.