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04-22-2023, 09:01 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2022 27' Globetrotter
Costa Mesa
, California
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 34
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Spare Never-lube bearing kit or completed hub?
We put 20k miles on our new Airstream last year and will be doing at least 15k this year and next. It has been recommended that I carry a spare bearing kit which sounds like a good idea. I called Dexter for the parts to order and they recommended the entire hub as replacing the bearing will most likely require a shop to remove and press in the replacement bearing. I should be able to replace the hub by myself in a pinch. Any thoughts? The bearing kit would be a lot easier to carry than the entire hub assembly. But the time/hassle to find a shop to replace bearing in the middle of nowhere does not sound fun.
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04-22-2023, 09:29 AM
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#2
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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GRadventures,
Planning ahead, not a bad idea.
Replacing a Nev-R-Lube bearing is not a roadside repair, replacing a loaded drum/hub could be a roadside repair if you're really prepared tool wise.
This is a thread I posted showing a non press approach to bearing R&R that I did in my garage and Dexter info also.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...-r-224416.html
Gary
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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04-22-2023, 09:53 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2019 30' Classic
2021 Atlas
Charlotte
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 302
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I have spares but I don’t carry them with me. They are heavy and take up more space than I care to use. I only travel 20-25k miles a year in mine too so it isn’t as high on my problem list as other things that would shut me down.
Another problem is you would need a left and a right if you get the whole assembly. The bearings last quite a while, probably more of a problem with the brakes than the bearings.
__________________
2019 Classic and 2005 Land Yacht 396 XL and 2 cats
Certified RV Tech, LP certified in TX, generator certified and Alde certified.
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04-22-2023, 10:03 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,668
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I carry a hub, with a bearing installed. But, with disc brakes the hub is small and the assembly only weighs 8#.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-22-2023, 10:44 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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The never lube bearing is pressed into the brake drum. On E-trailer they're about $500 pre- installed into a new brake drum. Removing and replacing the bearing isn't a DIY job for most as it requires a hydraulic press, special attachments, and skill. Those drums are pretty heavy and dirty. You'll also have to carry the requisite specialized tools to remove the drum.
I've removed my trailer drums at home. I use an electric impact wrench, necessary (for me) for removing the large nut that secures the drum to the axle. Also needed is a 1"-7/16" socket, snap ring pliers, large torque wrench, some anti-sieze, and a few other typical tools.
As previously mentioned these bearings don't often fail. Instead I carry a heat gun and periodically scan each wheel for excessive heat.
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04-22-2023, 11:17 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,668
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I inspect for lateral play anytime the wheels are off the ground. I found one with play at about 60k miles. It would have failed soonish. The other three ate still fine at 75k. I just inspected yesterday while installing a lift kit.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-23-2023, 09:41 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
Commercial Member
1954 22' Flying Cloud
2017 30' Classic
Currently Looking...
Ojai
, CA
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 156
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I recently found out the hard way that neverlube bearings fail. The only way to go is to replace the complete drum assembly. The bearing replacement is not a DIY project. Our failure caused a grease fire that was quickly extinguished, the bearing failure was catastrophic, the inner race welded itself to the axle. The rear axle had to be replaced. My 2017 classic had about 60k miles when the bearings failed. We replaced the hubs on the front axle just to be safe. I plan to replace drums and tires every three years. I have considered getting rid on the neverlubes but it requires axle replacement.
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04-23-2023, 10:54 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverPal2
I recently found out the hard way that neverlube bearings fail. The only way to go is to replace the complete drum assembly. The bearing replacement is not a DIY project. Our failure caused a grease fire that was quickly extinguished, the bearing failure was catastrophic, the inner race welded itself to the axle. The rear axle had to be replaced. My 2017 classic had about 60k miles when the bearings failed. We replaced the hubs on the front axle just to be safe. I plan to replace drums and tires every three years. I have considered getting rid on the neverlubes but it requires axle replacement.
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OK, a few things to unpack here. The bearings can (normally) be replaced...no need to replace drums....especially on a 3 year routine basis.
The bearings should be inspected for lateral play at least annually. They do, typically, give plenty of warning before failure. This can be higher temps (a cheap IR gun will help you with this), lateral play, and noise. The problem with the noise one is that, unlike in a passenger car, the bearing in the AS is quite far away and pretty isolated from the driver seat, that this warning might never be noted.
These types of bearings, in my automotive experience, are 80k to 150k bearings. There are outliers in both directions.
You may have had a sudden catastrophic failure....or.... there were warnings not noted by you that eventually resulted in the high heat and rapid disintegration.
It is not an inherently poor design. Millions of cars on the road with "nev-r-lube" bearing assemblies. Probably yours is one.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-23-2023, 01:11 PM
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#9
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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I'm glad we have the MebeLube bearings, the new axles were EZlub, I rather be able to inspect & know than guess and wonder.
On the TV or dailey driver the signs of a bad axle bearing are more easily diagnosed, 20' away on the AS, not so much.
Streaming since '87 and I've never had a bearing failure on the 'Frantic Banana' or 'Cloudsplitter'.
Bob
🇺🇸
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I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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04-23-2023, 01:43 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,118
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I have regular bearings and do not haul a spare bearing . The bearing failure I witnessed broke the hub so the guys spare bearing was not much help. If you got room and are worried carry the whole assembly. Airstreams run pretty good on 3 wheels if you go real slow. George made it to Whitehorse in abut 4 travel days to get his axle turned and hub and bearings. I personally would not buy and carry an extra. That kind of failure is likely to cost a few days no matter what.
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04-23-2023, 01:55 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
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. I only carry a bearing. If a bearing failes, the spindle will be toast and you will need a complete axle. You could mount or underneath the airstream just in case…
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04-23-2023, 03:52 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe
. I only carry a bearing. If a bearing failes, the spindle will be toast and you will need a complete axle. You could mount or underneath the airstream just in case…
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Not always, if you pay attention.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-30-2023, 10:03 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2016 30' International
redondo beach
, California
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 772
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We carry a drum loaded with bearings from a previous repair.
We also carry tools to do the job.
This insures that they will never be needed.
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Randy and Beth 15 F250, 16 30' International, ProPride, Dexter 3" lift, Michelin 16, Dill TPMS, Centramatics, Battleborn x4, Victron BMV and 1.2KW inverter, Orion DC/DC, BlueSolar MPPT, 300W solar, Alpine iLX, Polk MM1, Samsung smart 42"
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05-01-2023, 10:44 AM
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#14
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe
. I only carry a bearing. If a bearing failes, the spindle will be toast and you will need a complete axle. You could mount or underneath the airstream just in case…
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I submit...if a proper maint routine is done there is little chance of an on the road bearing failure.
Even on a non serviceable unit.
Bob
🇺🇸
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I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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05-01-2023, 11:51 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,664
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What am I missing here? The never lub bearings on the newer Airstreams are not an issue from what I have read here and in the literature...unless there is a failure, notice a leak, or some hazard I am not aware of, why are folks with new AS's carrying a spare set??
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Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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05-01-2023, 03:09 PM
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#16
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,506
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsydad
What am I missing here? The never lub bearings on the newer Airstreams are not an issue from what I have read here and in the literature...unless there is a failure, notice a leak, or some hazard I am not aware of, why are folks with new AS's carrying a spare set??
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I do not do this ....
The thought process is IF a repair is necessary in a remote location, or a location that has no parts availablility, a spare set is in the TV or trailer.
The repair can be due to road damage. Think of off road travel.
Again it is not something that I do. I tow a boat trailer with nothing spare other than a tire and wheel. And the tire isn't on it's prime.
Action
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1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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