Hi Folks,

I am getting ready to take my coach off of jackstands but have been checking a few things first. Latest issue is...

With the rear wheels off the ground, I grabbed the rear right wheel and rocked it. There is a tiny amount of slop so I'm wondering about bearings:

Is there a protocol to detect which bearing or race is worn or just replace everything ?
There seems to be a void between the inside and outside bearings - should that be partly filled with grease ?
I saw the issue with certain grease seals from several years ago having dimensional issues - is there anything else to watch out for?

Thanks,
Jim

Jim,

If you don't know when those bearings were repacked -- correctly -- I'd
recommend doing them now. However, your questions make me think you should
get someone to mentor you on the job. It's not really difficult, but the
first time is when you should learn what to look for on the cleaned
bearings; how to properly pack the grease into them; and, most importantly,
regardless of who helps you, how to tighten them. Here's the procedure for
that from the X-7525 manual:

BRAKE DRUM INSTALLATION
1 . Install hub and drum assembly (figure 10).
2. Install flat washer and castellated nut on hub
while rotating hub and drum assembly.
3 . Tighten castellated nut to 25-30 lbs. ft . torque
to position bearings . (Be sure drum is rotating while
tightening nut).
4. Back off nut 1/2 turn.
5 . Re-tighten nut finger tight, secure if possible
with cotter pin.
6. If unable to secure at finger tight, back off nut
to first securing position.
7. Check end play between hub and spindle it
should be .001 to .005 inch.
8 . Replace inner and outer dust caps.

That 0.001 to 0.005 inch play is all you should be feeling right now.

Be sure to check the seals as described in the references you mentioned --
just a few filings in the grease can wipe the bearings out "right now".

HTH,

Ken H.