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Old 02-04-2019, 02:28 PM   #1
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changing nev/lube bearings

I pulled off my hubs on the door side to get new bearings pressed in. I just figured after ten years I should put new bearings in but everything looks great. No leaking of grease and the bearings are tight. Anyway, my question is, on the outside of the spindle and inside of the bearing is a brown looking grease, a thin layer. Is this water intrusion or a special kind of grease used on installing hub onto the spindle? Thanks

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Old 02-04-2019, 02:35 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by oldbird View Post
I pulled off my hubs on the door side to get new bearings pressed in. I just figured after ten years I should put new bearings in but everything looks great. No leaking of grease and the bearings are tight. Anyway, my question is, on the outside of the spindle and inside of the bearing is a brown looking grease, a thin layer. Is this water intrusion or a special kind of grease used on installing hub onto the spindle? Thanks

Water would turn everything a "milkish" color. The brown is pretty normal. It's mostly dirt and "micro-metal" that's worn off over time. Never hurts to replace them occasionally. Replace or repack.
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Old 02-04-2019, 02:52 PM   #3
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OK, its not milkish looking. I'm just not used to seeing brown looking grease. Your probably right about the dirt and micro-metal over time. Thanks!
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Old 02-04-2019, 03:33 PM   #4
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I just got back from the shop that's going to press the bearings in and he asked me if I had the seals? With a sealed bearing, is there a seal in the hub? I forgot to ask him about the brown grease when he asked me if I had the seals.
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Old 02-04-2019, 03:35 PM   #5
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Seals usually come with the bearing kits...at least they have with most I've bought in the past. Seals, Race and Bearings all should come together.
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Old 02-04-2019, 03:49 PM   #6
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Seals usually come with the bearing kits...at least they have with most I've bought in the past. Seals, Race and Bearings all should come together.
These are "never lube" bearings. A sealed bearing.
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Old 02-04-2019, 04:08 PM   #7
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These are "never lube" bearings. A sealed bearing.

oops...reset!
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Old 02-04-2019, 05:57 PM   #8
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Oh, you have a reset button too! lol
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Old 02-04-2019, 06:08 PM   #9
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It's a requirement at this age and I've worn the numbers off of it.
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Old 02-04-2019, 06:43 PM   #10
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haha, well the guy hasn't called back about a seal. I called etrailer and they said what I thought, its a sealed bearing and no hub seal required. I'll let you know how the 'press in process' goes.
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Old 02-04-2019, 08:43 PM   #11
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You mention grease vs oil bath, so wouldn’t the bearings be serviceable? I think of a sealed bearing like a hub bearing that are on modern cars. And they are not serviceable. I thought the older DRVs hubs were an oil bath set up? I thought in 2015-16 they switched to a greaseable bearing style hub. Atleast on the Moryde suspension system.
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Old 02-05-2019, 01:14 AM   #12
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The brown grease type stuff might be an anti-seize like Lanacote or similar.
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Old 02-05-2019, 02:01 AM   #13
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You mention grease vs oil bath, so wouldn’t the bearings be serviceable? I think of a sealed bearing like a hub bearing that are on modern cars. And they are not serviceable. I thought the older DRVs hubs were an oil bath set up? I thought in 2015-16 they switched to a greaseable bearing style hub. Atleast on the Moryde suspension system.
I guess I didn't make that clear, sorry. I have 'never lube' bearings. When I pulled the hub off the spindle it had brown stuff on it that looked and felt like grease. Didn't look right is all I'm saying.

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The brown grease type stuff might be an anti-seize like Lanacote or similar.
Interesting Walker. I might have to check this out before I put them back on. Thanks
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Old 02-05-2019, 02:59 AM   #14
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I finally found a Dexter 'how to' print out. It says, as Walker suggested, to apply a light coating of anti-seize lubricant to the spindle. Sure glad I posted this and followed my gut.

I got two bearings pressed in today. I wanted to keep the old bearings but they managed to wreak them. I asked them to try and save at least one tomorrow for a spare. I do have a complete hub with bearing as a spare anyway so its not that important. I'm a spare parts nut.
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Old 02-06-2019, 03:21 PM   #15
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Just a quick follow up. The rear bearing, off door side, was going bad. It was leaking grease and was getting a little play in it. Now I'm really glad I changed all of them. I used a light coat of Lucas high temp anti-seize grease on the spindles. One bearing was saved as a spare.
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Old 02-10-2019, 04:56 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbird View Post
I finally found a Dexter 'how to' print out. It says, as Walker suggested, to apply a light coating of anti-seize lubricant to the spindle. Sure glad I posted this and followed my gut.

I got two bearings pressed in today. I wanted to keep the old bearings but they managed to wreak them. I asked them to try and save at least one tomorrow for a spare. I do have a complete hub with bearing as a spare anyway so its not that important. I'm a spare parts nut.

Glenn,


Could you provide a link to the Dexter "how-to" print out? We are fixing to replace the Never-Lube bearings in our 2010, and I'd like to have that information. We thought we were going to have to completely replace the axles as they say Lippert has no bearings or hub assemblies for the Never-Lube. However, over on another forum, I was told to get the Dexter bearings as they were the same as the Lippert ones. (Who knows, it might have been you telling me that. I have CRS really bad.)


Also, where did you get your bearings? Do you have a link to them?



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Old 02-11-2019, 02:08 AM   #17
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Here is the instruction:

http://www.dexterpartsonline.com/fil...20Bearings.pdf

Here is the bearings:

https://www.easternmarine.com/dexter...dge-031-071-03

Good Luck!
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Old 02-11-2019, 06:44 AM   #18
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Thanks, Glenn.


We've been in touch with a mobile RV tech here who is supposed to have the capability of pressing bearings in and out in the field. Since we live in our MS full time, that would be a lot easier than hauling the thing to a repair place and then have to find a hotel.


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Old 02-11-2019, 02:26 PM   #19
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That sounds like a plan, I hope he treats you good!
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Old 02-16-2019, 05:17 PM   #20
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Glenn,


We have an update on our axles/bearings. The mobile RV tech came out to check things out and see if the Dexter bearings would work. While he said he could do the Dexters, he would have to engineer something with which to press the bearings in and out.


He checked with Lippert, and through them, we can get replacement axles at what we think is a good price. We will pay full price for the first axle (roughly $1900) and then get the second axle for $100. With labor and all, both axles could be replaced for about $2500, and he could do the replacement right here in our RV site. No need to haul the RV to town and have it done.


We had asked for estimates elsewhere on replacing the axles and got back answers between $5700 and $6500 to replace both.


We decided we like the option of the tech replacing because we will now get EZ-Lube bearings instead of Never-Lube ones.


Besides, if we don't get the RV sold, we would continue to live in it, and I'd feel a lot better with better bearings.


But again, thanks for your help.


Terry
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