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Keith-N-Dar
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447
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Topic: Self-Adjusting Brakes? Posted: 03 May 2013 at 6:20pm |
Our pod goes to the dealer tomorrow for having the risers installed. While there I am having them pack bearings and check brakes (and tires). I hate sitting on the side of the road with troubles.
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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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bhamster
Senior Member
Joined: 19 May 2011
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 165
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 5:20pm |
Originally posted by Thinker
Bhamster gave his example, then admitted that the wheels had been flooded. |
"Flooded" is a bit exaggerated... but enough rain water got in there to rust the bearings. The whole point of my post is that this happens (probably more often than you think) and the only way to find out is by doing a full inspection. Using the Zerk fitting will not catch failed caps or seals, nor will it tell you the condition of the bearings or brakes.
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Footslogger03
Senior Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Location: Laramie, WY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 362
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 5:03pm |
Yeah ...after I found out what axle type I had I talked to a few mechanics in town and they said that the axles are generally not hard to source, even on the road - - but those bearings and hub caps can be a tad scarce. For the cost of parts it was worth having that back-up set in my tool box :-)
'Slogger
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Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger
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Thinker
Senior Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Location: S. Mississippi
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 171
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 5:01pm |
Originally posted by Footslogger03
Bearings and the hub "cap", which gets destroyed during the removal process for inspection (or bearing replacement)
'Slogger |
Yep, like that too.. I am going to do it. With that and a can of grease I can repack my own if I lose a bearing.
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Footslogger03
Senior Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Location: Laramie, WY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 362
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 4:56pm |
Bearings and the hub "cap", which gets destroyed during the removal process for inspection (or bearing replacement)
'Slogger
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Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger
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Thinker
Senior Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Location: S. Mississippi
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 171
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 4:55pm |
Originally posted by Footslogger03
I went ahead and bought a second set of seals and hubs
'Slogger |
A spare set of seals and bearings is a great idea. I am going to do this too. I think Slogger means bearings and not an entire hub.
Peace of mind is good.
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Thinker
Senior Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Location: S. Mississippi
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 171
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 4:45pm |
Outbound, I agree. Nothing should be neglected. Remember manufacturers write half of what they do by the legal department. Bhamster gave his example, then admitted that the wheels had been flooded.
Of course PM should be done after extenuating circumstances. But I see people here with a 2013 171 out looking for someone to repack their wheel bearings and comparing prices, so money is an object.
I was just trying to interject some common sense and not cause people who have no mechanical experience to become paranoid that after 5000 miles their wheels are about to fall off. This is simply not true, unless there is extenuating circumstances.
The manufacturer also provides hubs with zerk fittings. Are these to be ignored? Perhaps not.
This is my first year with the pod, but not my first rodeo with towing. If pod owners have a spare $150, then get a REPUTABLE mechanic pull your hubs and inspect and repack them. If you get a jack leg who does not do it right (and yes there are lots of ways to do damage), then on a new trailer it is better left alone under normal conditions.
Ways to cause damage are improperly washing and hand packing the bearing set before reassembly, damaging and not replacing seals, getting grease on the brake drums or shoes (this can cause the wheel to seize and lock up) as well as not properly torqueing the castle nut or forgetting the cotter/retainer pin. All these things are far worse than leaving it alone for a while (not forever).
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Tow Vehicle: 2013 Pathfinder 4WD R-POD Model 171
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Footslogger03
Senior Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Location: Laramie, WY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 362
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 4:42pm |
Our 177 is a 2011 that we bought at the end of 2010 season. Last year was it's first full season on the road and we clocked quite a few miles and never had a problem.
I called our dealer in Colorado and asked what they recommended for service and at what intervals. Withouth hesitation the first thing mentioned was an axle/wheel bearing inspection.
We thought it over and for $168 it seemed worth the peace of mind. I went ahead and bought a second set of seals and hubs, just in case I would break down on the road. Getting help with an axle is one thing but finding a dealer on the road who has your exact bearings/hubs is another question.
'Slogger
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Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger
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bhamster
Senior Member
Joined: 19 May 2011
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 165
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 4:35pm |
Originally posted by Outbound
in addition to our own opinions on the matter, we've got to be responsible in these threads and clearly state the manufacturer's recommendations. |
Great point... though the manuals that came with mine were pretty generic. My Lippert manual states that the brakes need to be manually adjusted, but I found out just this week that it has the automatic variety. They should still be inspected regardless of whether they are manual or automatic.
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Outbound
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 767
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Posted: 03 May 2013 at 3:38pm |
Every time the subject of bearings and brakes comes up, advice and opinion is rampant across these boards. Some people insist that bearings must be repacked annually. Others claim that every other year is sufficient. Others say that using the zerk fitting to inject grease into the hub will address any lubrication issues.
Forest River, in the owner's manual that is provided with the trailer, advises that bearings and brakes should be inspected annually. Lippert, manufacturer of the axel, advises that bearings should be inspected annually. Inspected, in these instances, means physically look at the brakes and bearings.
Of course, individuals will set and follow their own maintenance schedules, and that's fine. But, c'mon folks: in addition to our own opinions on the matter, we've got to be responsible in these threads and clearly state the manufacturer's recommendations.
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Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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