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2003 U320: Drive Wheel Bearing Replacement

February 19, 2015, 11:30:02 am

While replacing the ABS sensors, inspection of the wheel bearings found the outer race on the passenger side bearing to be bad.  It looked like someone just peeled off a layer of the race about 1/3 of the way around.  The attached photo shows the damaged race.  Both bearings and races were replaced. 

This was just a chance finding as I had no symptoms - at least none that I could detect.  I know on car and boat trailers, you can feel a bad bearing early on.  On a huge motorhome, I guess they have to be in really bad shape to be felt.

Bearings on the driver's side were just fine.

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Re: 2003 U320: Drive Wheel Bearing Replacement

Reply #1 – February 19, 2015, 11:37:56 am

Glad you found it before it became a problem.

Mark

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Re: 2003 U320: Drive Wheel Bearing Replacement

Reply #2 – February 19, 2015, 09:36:02 pm

@Jim Thanks for posting. Always like to see pics on issues. Now I know what to look for.

see ya
ken

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Re: 2003 U320: Drive Wheel Bearing Replacement

Reply #3 – February 20, 2015, 06:59:48 am

It's good you caught that. I have seen quite a few that came apart and ruined the spindle and then you have to call these guy's.

http://axlesurgeons.com:82/TabbedUI_services.a5w

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Re: 2003 U320: Drive Wheel Bearing Replacement

Reply #4 – February 20, 2015, 07:38:09 am

Good thing you found it, wasn't going to be long before it failed completely. Looks like the bearing may have been too tight, or the race was damaged when it was installed.

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Re: 2003 U320: Drive Wheel Bearing Replacement

Reply #5 – February 20, 2015, 10:07:43 am

That race could have been damaged upon  installation. Some people install them with a standard punch; always a no no.

Or, it may be the victim of pitting from condensation and setting. Most coaches set a lot when compared to a truck that is used frequently. While setting the weight is resting on 2 or 3 rollers and a small portion of the race. Microscopic cracks can form on the bearing and/or race surfaces. These will escalate over time. Also, condensed water and other corrosives  don't get washed from the surfaces by movement. Who changes their hub oil? Not many. Even changing the differential oil doesn't drain the sump in the hub.

All of these things combine to make bearing failure more prevalent, mileage wise, in motor homes than in regularly used heavy equipment.

One semi-quick check can be performed by those of us who do their own maintenance:

1.    Jack up the axle so the tire is off the ground.

2.    Use a suitable 2x4 or 4x4 block as a fulcrum and a LONG bar or pipe as a lever.

3.    Put one hand flat on the top sidewall of the tire and use other hand to lever tire up with bar as though you are trying to pry  the tire higher off the ground. Make sure you are applying enough force to lift weight of tire & wheel if it were loose.

4.    Rotate tire 1/3 turn and check again.

5.    Repeat step 4

If you feel ANY "bump" AT ALL through your tire hand, you have a problem that needs immediate attention.

This method by no means replaces regular maintenance or proper installation of bearings. It is just for quick checks while doing other maintenance.

TOM

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