dewdev 30 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 (edited) After seeing a past post about bearings and if they are made in China, I did some research as I want to have a spare set of Temkin bearings on hand and be able to change out my bearings when I hit around 12,000 miles on my newly purchased 2018 Oliver Elite II. Here is what I found: - On my first call to Dexter they refered me to Southwestwheel.com. South West sold bearings made in Japan and Timken bearings made in the US. - A week later, I contacted Dexter again and they told me they sold bearings that are made in China. - After hanging up from Dexter, I contacted South West Wheel and they gave me the following information for Dexter's 3500 lb axle (but they said to compare these part numbers with the ones printed on my existing bearings): South West Wheel, Part # KT84 for Timken bearings_complete kit = $102.60 Timken Kit Contains: 2 - HL154A Grease Caps 2 - L44649 Timken Outer Bearings (1 1/16" ID) 2 - L68149 Timken Inner Bearings (1 3/8" ID) 2 - L44610 Timken Outer Races 2 - L68111 Timken Inner Races 2 - 55846 Seals 12 - X1023R Nuts 2 - 90601 1" Spindle Nuts 2 - A1W Spindle Washers 2 - 18X134CP Cotter Pins 2 - FS622P Torsion Axle Grease Caps w/Rubber Plugs 2 - FS122 Torsion Axle Tang Washers My first question - Since I do not want to buy the bearing kit and then start the bearing removal just to find out they are the wrong parts, can anyone confirm that these are the correct Oliver/Dexter 3500 lb axle bearings? Second question - Does this price look reasonable? Third question - South West Wheel also has a larger kit that also includes the wheel hub (the part that the breaks press against). For those that have replaced bearing (or repacked their bearings) is it necessary to replace the wheel hub when replacing wheel bearings? Thanks Edited February 11 by dewdev 2018 Oliver Elite II, Hull #354 2018 RAM 1500 Rebel 4 x 4 Link to post Share on other sites
John E Davies 1,216 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 (edited) You drive out the rear seal and bearing to service it (clean, inspect, and grease it) and replace the seal with a new one every time. If either bearing is bad, you drive out the races and install two new bearings and races. Never change just a bearing or race, they are matched sets. Never change only one bearing set if it is bad, the metal particles have already damaged the other set. You can carry a complete spare hub assembly with bearings, it would be very awkward and heavy. When you install a new drum, the worn shoes will not match the curve of the new drum, so that brake will never work right. If you replace a drum, both drums on that axle should be replaced AND both brake assemblies. $$$$ This is why disk brakes make so much more sense.... they have none of these “mismatched” wear pattern issues, and are super easy and inexpensive to service. John Davies Spokane WA Edited February 11 by John E Davies "Mouse": 2017 Legacy Elite II NARV (Not An RV) Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/ Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 33" LT tires, airbags. Link to post Share on other sites
bhncb 193 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 There are a lot of unnecessary parts listed in that kit, some you can't even use. All you need are the bearing cones and races and a grease seal. Everything else can be reused unless you damage or lose something. The bearing sets are available for $5-6 and a seal is around $3-4. Those bearing part numbers listed are correct for your axles but they are also industry standard numbers that every bearing manufacturer uses. Timken specific numbers to search for a cone and race set are: SET17 (for the inner), SET4 (for the outer), and then 473336 for the seal, which may be in either a National or Timken box.. Sometimes pricing will vary between buying a SET part number and the individual numbers. For instance: SET4 versus L44649 and L44610. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators topgun2 1,213 Posted February 11 Moderators Share Posted February 11 (edited) What bhncb said above if you are doing this service at home. However, if you are interested in carrying an "emergency" pack to be used in the event you have a problem on the road, you can either simply buy a third (or forth ) set of bhncb's recommended parts, wrap them up in bags and rags, or you can get something like the picture below to carry around with you. I've been carrying two of these for the past five years for the "just in case type of thing" plus a small can of bearing grease and (thank goodness) have never needed them. Bill Edited February 11 by topgun2 added detail 2017 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist" Link to post Share on other sites
bhncb 193 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 Another point to remember is that bearing don't have a recommended change interval. Don't just assume because they have 12,000 miles on them they're shot. The number one cause of trailer bearing failures is infrequent use and the subsequent corrosion or pitting that can occur due to grease contaminated by condensation/moisture forming inside the hub. Routine inspection and repacking, or more frequent supplanting of old grease, are the accepted ways to extend bearing life. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites
dewdev 30 Posted February 11 Author Share Posted February 11 This information is great. Thanks ALL!! 2018 Oliver Elite II, Hull #354 2018 RAM 1500 Rebel 4 x 4 Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewK 171 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Dexter recommends Permatex High-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket to be used on the bearing seal before installation. Is this needed on Timken bearing seals? Thanks, Andrew Andrew, Carianne and Buffy | San Diego, CA 2019 Legacy Elite II Hull #468 "California Burrito" | 2018 BMW x5 35d Link to post Share on other sites
NCeagle 359 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 If you are going to use Timken's, they make their own brand of grease: https://www.timken.com/products/timken-mechanical-power-transmission-products/lubrication-lubrication-systems/automotive-wheel-bearing-grease/ Not sure if it's better or not (probably not), but I picked up some Timken specific grease for when I replace my Dexter's. 1 John and Anita 2020 Oliver Elite II, Hull 688 Tow Vehicle: 2006 Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab. 6.6L Duramax Link to post Share on other sites
John E Davies 1,216 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 (edited) I am sure the Timken grease is really good, and also really expensive. But it is still a regular lithium based product, with all the limitations that come with that kind of chemistry. If you are going to invest in a premium brand of lubricant, you should probably get the most premium one available. I have been using CV2 in just about everything for several years now, and I am not going back. I used to pay $14 for a dinky 3 ounce tube of special Phil Wood bicycle bearing grease, for just $2 more I get 14 ounces, so now I just use the Redline. John Davies Spokane WA Edited February 18 by John E Davies "Mouse": 2017 Legacy Elite II NARV (Not An RV) Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/ Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 33" LT tires, airbags. Link to post Share on other sites
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