Axle seals - Event Date: 26 Mar 2017

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   I have read through the maintenance manual that folks have been posting to here. In particular I am curious about seals for the axles. I have a '16 Rpod 178and I want to inspect the brakes and repack the bearings. Normally I would take the old seal to NAPA and get a match and install the. However it appears

everything I have read here shows folks using the  original? Leipert seals.

Is there a reason for this or would other brands that are a match work?

Thanks 
Greg

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apltrez Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Feb 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Calendar Event: Axle seals Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 11:28am
	I have read through the maintenance manual that folks have been posting to here. In particular I am curious about seals for the axles. I have a '16 Rpod 178and I want to inspect the brakes and repack the bearings. Normally I would take the old seal to NAPA and get a match and install the. However it appears everything I have read here shows folks using the original? Leipert seals. Is there a reason for this or would other brands that are a match work? Thanks Greg
	Old Time Fiddle Music........ Better Than It Sounds!

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 02 Apr 2017 at 6:21am
	I use OEM parts anytime the process involves a tear-down that I do not want to repeat, prematurely. If I can do a simple parts R & R, aftermarket may be OK. I also believe there is no money to be saved on tires or brake components. I'm sure there are success stories out there that include using after market seals. I don't have time to sort out what and if I have the right seal. There is really no reason not to use OEM. I get the wrong part quite often from local auto parts stores so I'm not a big fan of trying to eyeball a seal that appears to be correct. I suppose a trailer outfit would be a better choice, but I don't have one conveniently located. I simply remove the guess work by going OEM and can have it shipped to the front door. I leverage the shipping cost by ordering multiples along with any associated components.
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

apltrez Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Feb 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 04 Apr 2017 at 4:10pm
	Okay. Now I am really confused. After taking my hub of, removing the dust seal and bearings, cleaning it all up, I can find nothing that indicates that my axle is a Lippert. Bearings are Timken made in USA....a good thing...dust seal is an oddball and hub is some other brand. I stopped at the local Holiday World...they are an RPOD dealer.... and they sent me to their bearing supplier who matched the seal. Either my'16 178 is an odd ball or someone changed bearlings before I got it. Both my dealer and his bearing supplier liked Timken Bearings because they are USA and they never had problems. a great mystery.
	Old Time Fiddle Music........ Better Than It Sounds!

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 04 Apr 2017 at 7:42pm
	They have been known to use Dexter as well. There should be an ID tag of sorts on the axle itself. trailer axle ID tag - Google Search
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

apltrez Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Feb 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 04 Apr 2017 at 8:20pm
	Yep, that's what I read in googling. I got infor on where Dexter stamped the axle with name and numbers and the fact that Dexter generally has an "upward bow" in the center of the axle. Gonna check on it tomorrow. GG
	Old Time Fiddle Music........ Better Than It Sounds!

Danielw1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Apr 2017 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 115	Posted: 04 Apr 2017 at 10:17pm
	Do the bearings need repacked that soon?

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 05 Apr 2017 at 8:35am
	I have a 2015 178, it has a Dexter axle.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

apltrez Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Feb 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 05 Apr 2017 at 9:29am
	The repack on bearings , I think, has more to do with amount and type of miles. In my case, I heard some occasional sounds from the trailer brakes I didn't like so in getting to the brakes, it made sense to inspect, repack, I also changed to a Moly type bearing grease and then of course new seals. I also cleaned the brakes and will adjust as needed. The axle mystery/saga is now resolved. I do have a Lippert axle, not a Dexter. I can only assume that along the way the PO replaced them with Timken bearings and some other seal. They are in great shape and are marked as Timken USA so I will continue to use them.
	Old Time Fiddle Music........ Better Than It Sounds!