Wheel Bearing Issues / Disc Brakes

[tomherb]

Thanks again for all the replies and thanks for the copy of the manual.

I'll make sure that the new bearings are adjusted using the Dexter procedure in the manual and I will check for looseness again after running them for a 100 miles or so.

I do have an IR thermometer that I use every once in a while at a rest stop. I don't remember ever seeing a temp over about 165 and the temps were all consistent between the 4 hubs.

[Halwiseguy]

Two years ago I Changed to Kodiack disc breakes. I had to change the bearings three times on a trip from California to Wisconsin & back due to wrong outer bearings that were sent with the kit. It was a close match to where I did not notice until the Napa guy in my home town told me that the bearing and race was NOT a match . Wrote Kodiack of the problem and they sent replacements for all the bearings & seals. I was trouble free the next trip the year after . Always Match the bearing with the race . Good luck hope this helps Hal

[tomherb]

Wow, very interesting. Sorry you had this issue, I thought what I had to deal with was tough but not compared to what you had to deal with. I recently confirmed the the bearing and race part numbers with the installer and they are still using these part numbers with no apparent problems. Do you have the good part numbers that you ended up with the help of the NAPA guy and do you have the bad part numbers, also?

Thanks so much.

[jdpm]

Not a solution to your issue but a question: Is "Made In America/USA" stamped on each of your bearing?
Just curious because the last Timken bearings I got over 5 years ago were made in China. Timken has been manufacturing bearings in China now for several years.

[grindstone01]

Originally Posted by tomherb

Thanks again for all the replies and thanks for the copy of the manual.

I'll make sure that the new bearings are adjusted using the Dexter procedure in the manual and I will check for looseness again after running them for a 100 miles or so.

I do have an IR thermometer that I use every once in a while at a rest stop. I don't remember ever seeing a temp over about 165 and the temps were all consistent between the 4 hubs.

165 temp seems hot to me. My hubs are usually warm to the touch, but 165 would too hot to touch and that's with drum brakes. Somethings not right!

[Barlow46]

Originally Posted by jdpm

Not a solution to your issue but a question: Is "Made In America/USA" stamped on each of your bearing?
Just curious because the last Timken bearings I got over 5 years ago were made in China. Timken has been manufacturing bearings in China now for several years.

JDPM. I bought 4 sets of Timkens about this time last year from Amazon and they were all USA marked.

[alpenlite29]

TIMKENs recommendation is roughly .004-.008 Clearance on a Tapered Bearing. Someone mentioned The harbor freight style hand held Infrared PYROMETER, I recommend you own one for checking bearing and tire temperatures as a preventative measure. (HOT TIRES are a sign of overload or under inflation. Never exceed Factory recommendations from vehicle or tire manufacturer, for air or weight.
Always better to have a loose bearing then a tight one. I have over 80,000 miles on a Alpenlite 29RK 5th wheel. I changed a few bearings with new Chinese ones...what a mistake that was....they came apart in one year...roughly 12,000 miles. I have two 6,000lb axles 8 lug nut Lippert axles.
on the scales both trailer axles weigh 9900 lbs dry and 6700 on the drive axle of the truck, which is a 2003 dodge 1 ton 2WD. Which is really right at the GVWR for the truck drive axle tires. 3400lbs each.

When I replaced the bearings the second time, I hunted on ebay for AMERICAN MADE TIMKEN....OLD STOCK from individuals. It took some time, but was able to get Genuine USA races and Bearings. I think Dexter says..pack bearings every year or 12,000 miles...which seems a bit much for me as a retired heavy equipment mechanic. But at least if your going on the road for many months...2-3...or more. You have comfort of knowing you are in good shape, hate the fear factor.

Timken has many videos on you tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8rTfpjXHak

[Barlow46]

Go here and then look at pics. Zoom in on pics after you find your correct bearing. Look for USA. If you order and receive other than USA they can be returned. I have had no trouble getting Timken made in USA.
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-SET37-...66109545&psc=1

[Halwiseguy]

Cont. from pervious post Kodyack sent # 14125A outer bearing instead of 02474 with 02420 race : the race was correct but the 14125A IS WRONG . the angle is slightly different but not too noticeable , it was too tight in the inside of the cone . I had to replace both inner & outer bearings on the side of the highway my self three times because AAA said they had no rig big enough to move my rig . I was unhappy with the Chinese bearings they sent for replacements but used the anyway 10k mi. later still ok. Hal

[IC2]

For all intents, that Timken video is what Dexter recommends though without checking the end play. I have about 3000 miles on our disc brake conversion and will take a look at the bearings in a couple months (when it warms up). I did have a couple scorched outer US made Timken bearings when I pulled the old brake arrangement off but hope that it hasn't repeated with the current USA made Timkens.