Dexter Axle Bearings

[John Dorrer]

On 3/23/2023 at 11:12 AM, Ollie-Haus said:

How are folks doing with the Never-lube bearings on the new trailers? Curious if it's worth having a set of backups in hand with these kind of bearings on our Oliver. 

No issue on ours

[mountainoliver]

We only have a couple of thousand or so miles on ours and so far absolutely no issues. I typically stop every couple of hours to check bearing and brake temperatures and the temperature is more consistent than with the older bearings. I do carry two spare bearings and the tools to replace them myself anywhere. The bearings are easily accessible at most any auto parts store as they were used on the 2010 PT Cruiser front wheels. I believe that they were also used on many various foreign cars as well. Obtaining them is probably not the issue rather it would be finding someone competent and with the tools to replace them without damaging them. 

[theOrca]

For those who have never used "Grok," I have provided a sample below. The thing I find so wonderful about Grok is the ability to ask a common language question about a hard to understand subject and get an answer you can use. If something confuses you, you simply type a followup on the same form saying something like: "Please explain XYZ more, I am not getting it.  Grok then continues. 

The below screen shot is what Grok gave me when I asked it to give me the exact match of Timken bearing to the Dexter Neverlube bearing (serial number from my D52 build sheet.  Have fun.

Edited Wednesday at 11:46 PM by theOrca

[theOrca]

4 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

No issue on ours

For the Neverlube - one axle end equals one bearing... See the Timken info above.

Edited Wednesday at 11:46 PM by theOrca

[jd1923]

16 hours ago, theOrca said:

The below screen shot is what Grok...

Yeah, cool technology, but we already know the OEM bearing is the Timken Set49. Also, it's safer to only use manufacturer's spec vs. any website content.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tmk-set49

17 hours ago, mountainoliver said:

The bearings are easily accessible at most any auto parts store as they were used on the 2010 PT Cruiser front wheels.

Genuine Timken parts are NOT often "easily accessible"  and make sure you're buying from an authorized reseller. For example, say you broke down and were lucky enough to be close to a local Napa. They would sell you a China-made alternative that would take 1-2 days to arrive at the store location, while you're broke down somewhere. Then you have to get it installed. Not many PT Cruisers on the road anymore and in general AP stores only stock parts for new-model cars < 10 years old.

I found this entering the 2010 PT Cruiser on Napa Online:
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PGBPFW115

Ken and I worked through this when I tested the bearing install procedure (linked in my prior post on page 5). He has replacement bearings, related parts and tools already purchased and he travels with them. I got lucky getting damaged axle parts, so I carry two full bearing hub/drum assemblies in the TV toolbox (I also carry new Timken front hubs for the Dodge Ram). In my case, if a bearing goes bad, I can be back on the road in 1-2 hours! 😎 However buying full assemblies is exorbitant!

I truly suggest if this is a concern of your, read the post I made showing bearing removal and replacement. At a minimum, do yourself a favor a buy 2-4 Timken Set49 bearings. Then you'll have the parts you need so that any trailer shop can install them for you. To be very safe, you may want to have extra circlips, nuts and washers. And if you want to DIY, my post details the required toolset.

Edited 18 hours ago by jd1923

[mountainoliver]

Yeah, actually the “original” bearings supplied with my axles and actually your Dexters as well (you sent me a photo of the one bearing that you pulled from one of the new axle assemblies) are NTN not Timken. Which are high quality bearings and in fact were easily attainable at my local auto parts store and listed for the 2010 PT Cruiser. I do agree don’t buy off brand bearings or questionable brands like the fake Timken bearings from amazon. The SET 49 (not 149) from Timken are available at auto parts stores as well you just have to ask for them. 

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, mountainoliver said:

Timken are available at auto parts stores as well you just have to ask for them. 

And how long for that special order? This is not "broke down on road" feasible. The point was to order ahead of time vs. looking for a parts store at the point of need.

Sorry on the typo on the part number. The Summit link above shows the correct part number "Set49"

Edited yesterday at 05:47 AM by jd1923

[theOrca]

15 hours ago, jd1923 said:

And how long for that special order? This is not "broke down on road" feasible. The point was to order ahead of time vs. looking for a parts store at the point of need.

Sorry on the typo on the part number. The Summit link above shows the correct part number "Set49"

NOT special order. I just walked in bought a Set 49 and walked out. The package passed the "fake" check...

[jd1923]

40 minutes ago, theOrca said:

NOT special order. I just walked in bought a Set 49 and walked out. The package passed the "fake" check...

What’s the name of the auto parts store and at what city location?

Edited 13 hours ago by jd1923

[theOrca]

3 hours ago, jd1923 said:

What’s the name of the auto parts store and at what city location?

jd, I do not mind strongly held opinions most of us have some. I do somewhat object to passive aggressive behavior towards those who differ with YOUR opinions.

[jd1923]

7 minutes ago, theOrca said:

jd, I do not mind strongly held opinions most of us have some. I do somewhat object to passive aggressive behavior towards those who differ with YOUR opinions.

I’ve shared 100 new content posts to help others. You can’t help others here with the name of the store that actually stocks this part? 

And nobody has to agree.

Edited 10 hours ago by jd1923

[theOrca]

1 hour ago, jd1923 said:

I’ve shared 100 new content posts to help others. You can’t help others here with the name of the store that actually stocks this part? 

And nobody has to agree.

This is my post  last on this subject.  It seems unreasonable to believe that the name and location an auto parts store on a medium sized island in Puget Sound is going to be helpful to anyone else this list. It does seem reasonable to believe that you are demanding "show me." I decline.