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Grease
Mar 12, 2018 13:51:35 GMT -5
Rigs likes this
Post by lynnmor on Mar 12, 2018 13:51:35 GMT -5
Hi All - I'm a new TT owner and until recently was fooled into thinking that the grease zerks on my 2013 KZ Sportmen 32' BH TT's tandem axles was sufficient to keep the axles properly lubed. Learning that is not the case, I will be performing my first bearings re-greasing after getting the TT out of storage later this Spring here in MI. (I've seen some decent Youtube videos that will make the process doable). I have a couple of questions for the group: * What does the group recommend I use to clean the bearings themselves with to get the old grease off? Parts cleaner? Brake cleaner? Shop rags? Other? * Should I apply the recommended cleaning solution to the axle itself too? My goal is to remove all of the old grease and apply all new grease. * Should I replace the seals or clean up and reuse if not damaged? * Similar question for the bearings - if not damaged, I plan to reuse. Any concerns? * I apologize if this was already answered - What brand of bearings grease have people found success with? I believe there was a mention of the Walmart brand but was also looking for other ones beyond asking the same question to the local Napa/Autozone person. For clarity - I hope I have not over added grease via the the zerks. I only gave each tire a couple of pumps from the grease gun once per year. I will also perform a full inspection of the drum brakes to determine if any grease got into the braking system. Thankfully, I have not pulled my TT a significant amount of miles. I hope the limited travel results in a low risk of potential damage. Thanks in advance for your recommendations and direction. Be careful with Youtube videos, there are some good and some made by slobs. You want to be extremely clean before final assembly. I use gasoline to remove all the grease.  Mineral spirits would be safer. It takes repeated washings to get all the grease. Expect a real mess and have a full roll of paper towels on hand. Use disposable nitrile gloves. Before final assembly, I use spray parts cleaner for a final cleaning, and then keep the paper towels away because they cause lint and dust. Put cardboard down under the axle and clean away with parts/brake cleaner. Do pump some grease thru the fitting to flush out any contamination. Apply a thin coat of grease to the spindle. Seals are damaged when removed, always replace. Apply a bit of grease between the lips so they last longer. Look very closely at each roller and the race, any pits or roughness, toss them. I always liked Pennzoil 707L grease, it's getting harder to find. Use a grease specifically made for wheel bearings, not an all purpose. I tried the NAPA Premium wheel bearing grease with poor results, absolutely none of it remained in the bearings. Currently using Timken wheel bearing grease available at Summit Racing, they also sell Timken bearings. Some good information here: DexterReturn with any questions. |
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Grease
Mar 12, 2018 16:08:47 GMT -5
Rigs likes this
Post by RdRmr on Mar 12, 2018 16:08:47 GMT -5
Rigs,
As stated earlier: bad idea to use the zerk fitting to grease your axles. Way too much grease gets in there and if you are not careful you can blow out the rear seal. That EZ lube system is great for boat trailers that are submerged in water but I have never relied on it for trailers and 5TH wheels. Dexter, in their care & maintenance manual recommend disassembly, clean and inspect once every twelve months. With these EZ Lube axles it is virtually impossible to save/reuse a seal. it will distort in one way or another upon removal. I get new ones from NAPA for less than $4 ea. The non EZ Lube axles had a seal flange of 1/4", these new ones are 1/2" so a bit more UMPH is required to get them out. Any parts/degreaser cleaner should work for you. The axle spindle, I first wipe with a rag to remove any excess grease then spray the spindle, hub and shoes with brake cleaner. Put a catch pan under it, makes a mess otherwise. Then inspect the shoes, magnets and springs then after that all dries I put a very fine film of grease on the spindle from where the rear seal sets all the way to the front. I have used the red high temperature disk brake grease, it has a drip point of over 500*, it stays where you put it. Contact Dexter via their web site and they will send you all the maintenance info and catalogues you will need. I have been breaking my wheel axle hubs down every year for close to forty + years and have had to replace one bearing in that length of time because of a couple of pits in one roller I didn't like. Replaced more springs and shoes than anything. One thing I have done on every RV we've owned is the minute I get it home, off come the wheels and hubs. To date, every one has had some type of issue, our latest 2016 Durango 2500 315RKD came with two blown rear seals and the brakes way out of adjustment. The previous 5TH wheel, front axle right side had the shoes installed backwards and was in need of a brake adjustment. Take your time, it isn't hard just dirty. Happy Campin....
 
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Rigs
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 23 
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Grease
Mar 13, 2018 8:17:53 GMT -5
Post by Rigs on Mar 13, 2018 8:17:53 GMT -5
lynnmor and RdRmr - Thank you both very much! I greatly appreciate your recommendations. I'll read through the Dexter link, pick up some grease, cleaner, rags, and set a side a weekend to work through this. I'll also keep an eye on this thread if others contribute their thoughts too. Thanks everyone!
#cantwaitforsummer
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Grease
Mar 13, 2018 23:14:26 GMT -5
Rigs likes this
Post by nvguy on Mar 13, 2018 23:14:26 GMT -5
*Parts cleaner / solvent works well for cleaning the bearings. I use brake parts cleaner for the axle itself and brakes. You can use brake parts cleaner to clean the bearings, but it can get expensive, as sometimes it takes a lot to get things clean.
* Use brake parts cleaner on the axle.
* Inspect the bearings, if they show no wear or damage, you can reuse them (lots of guidelines/ what to look for on the web). Just put the bearings back in the same hub assembly they came out of, as bearings & races wear in together. Same thing with the drums/ brake linings.
* If you have to replace the bearings, find some made in the USA. Timken is a good brand. Stay away from cheap on line suppliers.
* In regard to grease, same rules apply, buy name brand high pressure wheel bearing grease. Castrol, Mobil, Sta lube are all name brands, house brands that come recommended will do the job as well.
* I don't mean to insult anyone but due to a NAPA store dealing with professional shops, a typical NAPA counter person (look for one with a bit of grey hair) will provide a bit more credible info than the typical Autozone person. It's also more likely that a NAPA store will have your seals, but your best bet will be a local trailer repair shop or well stocked RV dealer.
Based on how much grease I have seen the axle manufacturers use when they assemble an axle (barely enough to lube the bearings), I doubt your couple of pumps has filled the hub cavity and blown the seal out. When you take everything apart, it will be readily apparent if you have over greased.
Be careful with you tube videos, lots of voodoo methods out there, some are credible, some aren't.
Do read up on the various axle manufactures web sites for their recommended procedures.
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Rigs
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 23
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Grease
Mar 14, 2018 11:56:18 GMT -5
Post by Rigs on Mar 14, 2018 11:56:18 GMT -5
Many thanks nvguy! Great info! I'll be taking all of this information to heart and will go over the axles and bearings with a fine toothed comb. Much oblidged!
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Grease
Mar 30, 2018 18:21:00 GMT -5
Post by bc75 on Mar 30, 2018 18:21:00 GMT -5
Just got back from a 12 hour drive pulling my camper. I used my heat gun and checked wheels and tires at every stop. Everything stayed around 85 to 95 degrees. That was are longest trip yet. I was worried after repacking bearings.
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Mineral spirits would be safer. It takes repeated washings to get all the grease. Expect a real mess and have a full roll of paper towels on hand. Use disposable nitrile gloves. Before final assembly, I use spray parts cleaner for a final cleaning, and then keep the paper towels away because they cause lint and dust.
