Axle's by Dexter & AL-KO

[ralper]

I just talked to Dexter this morning. tooblue is absolutely correct about the wheel offset causing the bearings to fail. My question was about routine maintenance and the conversation came around to this subject.

[IC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper I just talked to Dexter this morning. tooblue is absolutely correct about the wheel offset causing the bearings to fail. My question was about routine maintenance and the conversation came around to this subject.

Just keep an eye on them as I am not totally convinced that only a less then .393 backspace can or will cause the Nevr-lub failures. That 42mm(1.65) bearing is just too dang small to carry 6000/2=3000lbs/side especially when you add highway impact to the equation.


Nevr-Lub spindle - this bearing is less then 1.375 long


Eze-lube spindle




Eze-Lube bearings (my spare sets)

[SoCADesertRa]

Our 5th wheel came with Lippert 7K lbs. axles and their SBS (sealed bearing system). Within 2 months one bearing failed - poorly engineered system to hold the wheel on. One set of brakes were toast as a result. Lipperet replaced the axle and paid the labor. Unfortunately the axle was bent so I was out the alignment. This year my bearings started to leak -- all four. The shop called Lippert for parts and was told that they no longer offer the SBS -- wonder why??

Lippert shipped me 2 new axles with conventional bearings. I was out the brakes, installation and alignment to the tune of $1,000.00 +.

Another life experience.

[rrray]

Installed the tire pressure monitoring system and love it. Manual strongly reccommends steel stems.

Have rubber/metal stems. Rubber where enters wheel; metal on out to cap. Do I have metal stems or rubber stems ?? Truck tires seem to be similar design. Anyone know ? I


Thanks, Ray

[IC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrray Installed the tire pressure monitoring system and love it. Manual strongly reccommends steel stems. Have rubber/metal stems. Rubber where enters wheel; metal on out to cap. Do I have metal stems or rubber stems ?? Truck tires seem to be similar design. Anyone know ? I Thanks, Ray

It's a reinforced rubber valve not a screw in (kinda like a nut and bolt) full metal valve. Keep a close eye on the tire pressure - I just replaced the four on my F350 after having two flat tires the same day (Monday!!) from failures. They were less then a year old but were very dried out and crumbly

[MICHIGAN CAMPER]

I see there is still chatter going on about the Dexter Ne-V-er Lube axles. I too bought a used Titanium 5th wheel made by Glendale of Canada. Like some of them mine had the 'incorrect' off-set wheels.
Due to the cost involved I did what I could afford. I purchased new wheels (with "0" off-set) and new LT tires. I bought the new tires due to their 'age', not because of the axle issue or wear.

I DID NOT replace the axles after satisfying myself that there was no damage to the bearings. I did buy an infared thermometer and check for excessive heat at most stops along the way when traveling.
So far, so good!
michigancamper

[TXiceman]

Axis Products Main

Here is a link to Axis Axles. They build torsion axles like the Dexter and Al-Ko axles, but are easier to work with for replacements if you are replacing an older axle. Dexter and Al-Ko will only build their current axles and it is up to you to adapt them to your trailer. Axis will work with you on matching mounting brackets.

Ken

[IC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICHIGAN CAMPER I see there is still chatter going on about the Dexter Ne-V-er Lube axles. I too bought a used Titanium 5th wheel made by Glendale of Canada. Like some of them mine had the 'incorrect' off-set wheels. Due to the cost involved I did what I could afford. I purchased new wheels (with "0" off-set) and new LT tires. I bought the new tires due to their 'age', not because of the axle issue or wear. I DID NOT replace the axles after satisfying myself that there was no damage to the bearings. I did buy an infared thermometer and check for excessive heat at most stops along the way when traveling. So far, so good! michigancamper

Did you check the price with Dexter and mention the "notice of defect" letter? That replacement axle price for Titanium trailers gets very nice vs many sets of wheels. Peace of mind for that +/-$700 is worth a lot to me, but of course it's your call. My new Eze Lube hubs are running about the same temp as the tires - assuming I haven't made any hard stops and transferred the drum heat to the hub. I just returned from 811.5 miles - and not a thought of any problem.