Wheel Bearing

Speckul8r · 07-23-2010, 07:22 AM

I know that this topic has been covered to excess in past posts but I'm still having problems. Ever since I got the 2720, the bearings have seemed hot to me running in the 125 degree range, according to my IR thermometer. I've totally replaced them and the results are identical. Any suggestions? I've backed off the nut one flat with no better results. I've re readjusted the bearing and it's still the same. The test is to run the TM at 60mph 10 miles up and back to the house.

**rtcassel** · 07-23-2010, 09:46 AM

http://trailmanorowners.com/forum/sh...ad.php?p=54323
http://trailmanorowners.com/forum/sh...ad.php?p=51175

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-23-2010, 10:48 AM

What temperature was it outside when you made that test?

Dave

Speckul8r · 07-23-2010, 10:50 AM

95

Speckul8r · 07-23-2010, 11:00 AM

RT 185?!?! Good grief! My boat is only a shade lighter that the TM but the hubs are always comfortable to the touch no matter how far or fast I drive. As far as the brakes go, I backed them off for the test run so drag wouldn't factor in.

So maybe I'm OK and they just run hotter than I'd expect. Still makes me feel uncomfortable.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-23-2010, 11:06 AM

I'm no bearing expert by any means, but in my own experience, with a 95 degree ambient temp, 125 degree bearings doesn't seem super high. That's a 30 degree difference. Did you touch them with your hand as well?

In comparison, if you were towing at 70 degrees, and the bearings were 30 degrees warmer, that would make them 100 degrees. To your hand, that would feel only warm. 105 degrees is a typical hot tub temperature.

EDIT: Those are great threads Tim referred to as well, the first one containing communication from Dexter.

Dave

Speckul8r · 07-23-2010, 11:27 AM

SB Yes I did touch 'em. Did not want to leave my fingers on long. About a count of 5 was all I could stand.

Got that letter to Dexter. They're saying 185 is OK. I still can't get over that. Not like years ago when anytime the bearing was uncomfortable to the touch it meant trouble.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-23-2010, 11:36 AM

As you can see from that first thread Tim referred to, the heat may actually be caused by the brakes, not the bearings. If you want to pinpoint the source, try turning your brakes off (or at least down) via your controller for a short trip. If the hubs don't get nearly that hot in 95 degree ambient temps, you know it's the brakes. That was the case with me.

Dave

Speckul8r · 07-23-2010, 12:20 PM

As I mentioned, I backed the brakes off so they are not clouding the picture. The heat is all bearings.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-23-2010, 02:02 PM

I'm talking not just about drag, but actual braking as well. If you actually disable your brakes, you completely remove them from the picture. If the drum surface can reach 600 degrees during braking as the Dexter rep mentioned, it's not hard to believe that the hub can reach 130 degrees from braking alone. I personally would be much more comfortable with that temp knowing it came from the brakes vs. the bearings.

FWIW.

Dave