Grease behind wheel rim.

[Beachcamper]

I am on mile 3,000 of the 12k on this trip and in a fancy park with a cement pad. This was a good place to check out suspension and retorque U Bolts and add more grease to wet bolts. I also had to check on a worrisome thing I noticed 1,000 miles prior in Arizona. We had just driven a horrid stretch of I 10 and it was really hot, when we got to that nights camp I noticed on both passenger side tires a bit of grease on back of rims. Also some from behind hub it was red in color which is what Lippert used on bearing repack last October. I cleaned it up and continued west checking for overheating all ok so far.

What could cause both tires on that side to leak grease? Should I be concerned or just keep eye on it. As of today still looks same except no grease coming from hub just what’s on rims. Was thinking of lifting each tire, spin and check for play.

[howson]

Beachcamper -- I'll leave a definitive answer to Cate&Rob or other suspension-smart individuals, but I agree that is concerning. I don't think grease should bypass the rear seal unless something is wrong.

[Country Campers]

I would guess either a faulty rear seal or a too tight bearing or brake drag causing excess temperature in the hubs. Maybe even heavier than usual on that side. Weird that it is both hubs on that side.

Brian

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Replace the seals. They are done.
Now why are they done so soon? Guesses from a non mechanic or mechanical engineer.......Lippert filled the void in the hub which left no room for expansion but through the seal or the front? Does the front side show signs of leakage? Little over a half year on the seal..really cheap seal used by Lippert or a faulty batch of seals? (wouldn't explain only one side). Lippert scored the where the seal lip rides causing premature failure of the seal? Bearing preload not set even close to properly causing excess wheel movement?
Again, all wild ___ guesses.

The bad part...you will be removing hubs again less than a year after having it done professionally. You can see on the second pic evidence of grease being flung onto the rotor..maybe.

[Jlawles2]

I'm going to go with failed seal. Guess would be that the same tech did that side and possibly another did the other side.

Most OEM are using CHEAP seals it seems.

I've been eying a set of 2 piece seals for when I repack the axles. WHY, 2 piece seals use a spindle liner for the rubbing surface that the seal runs on and a separate rubber inner liner on that. This is in an effort to help eliminate the possibility of axle wear and axle roughness from eating up the seals. Probably overkill, but after loosing a week waiting on replacement parts stuck somewhere in a HOTEL, it's worth it.

[familytruckster4]

If the hubs are full of grease my bet would be on someone power greasing the hub after reassembly. The other posters have hit on the possible reasons for the failure. My last 3 trailers all had blown out rear seals when I got them, after I corrected the mess and serviced them properly I have never had an issue. I avoid the EZ lube altogether.

[Beachcamper]

Thanks guys, my first call will be to Lippert this morning and I am in a good area for repairs , Lodi CA. That California RV specialist is not too far.

When we were leaving Florida got a screw in tire and had to replace rear passenger wheel. No sign of grease then.

[Cate&Rob]

I would agree that the rear seals are leaking and this could be for any of the reasons described so far. I would add one more to the list . . . as part of bearing inspection/greasing, the surface that the seal runs on should be polished and the seal well lubricated with grease before installation of the hub on to the spindle. I am amazed at the number of folks who think this seal should somehow run clean and dry. When you have the hubs removed, look for rubber tracks transferred from the seal lips to the spindle. This indicates that the seals ran dry and would have lost their ability to seal, very early. Attached picture of my spindles as discovered with heavily greased brakes from the factory. Once I polished out these tracks and I make sure this interface is well greased, the tracks have never reappeared and the seals have never leaked.

Rob

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Cate&Rob 's explanation would fit well especially if there was two guys, each doing one side.

[Beachcamper]

The day I was there for service he was training some new techs so that would explain one side may have been done by them. Anyway, glad I am not going to be stuck in Lodi again. Lippert is sending a mobile tech Monday which is day before I am scheduled to leave. They are overnighting parts today and supposedly all covered under their warranty. Wish me luck all goes as planned. Lippert has come through again for me.

Every shop in this area is booked until august

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I would agree that the rear seals are leaking and this could be for any of the reasons described so far. I would add one more to the list . . . as part of bearing inspection/greasing, the surface that the seal runs on should be polished and the seal well lubricated with grease before installation of the hub on to the spindle. I am amazed at the number of folks who think this seal should somehow run clean and dry. When you have the hubs removed, look for rubber tracks transferred from the seal lips to the spindle. This indicates that the seals ran dry and would have lost their ability to seal, very early. Attached picture of my spindles as discovered with heavily greased brakes from the factory. Once I polished out these tracks and I make sure this interface is well greased, the tracks have never reappeared and the seals have never leaked.

Rob

What do you polish with?

[Cate&Rob]

Scott'n'Wendy

Emery paper. 300 to clean if there is rubber residue that you can feel. 600 to polish.

Rob

[Cate&Rob]

Jlawles2 Hi Joseph,

WRT the two piece seals . . . these are designed for oil bath hub lubrication. I would wonder how these would perform with grease lubrication. Per earlier discussion . . , polished spindles and properly greased seals seems like a good solution. I have purchased seals sold by names such as Dexter and Rockwell American . . . inside the box are the same Chinese seals used by LCI in original assembly. These will work if properly installed and well lubricated.

Rob

[Jlawles2]

Cate&Rob Rob, I've read a few reviews and it appears people are using the 2 piece with good luck on grease as well as oil. https://www.etrailer.com/question-218875.html even the question was answered that the 2 piece should work.

From doing the rear oil bath seals in my 04 truck several times (I think it was a bad bearing) the only visible difference between a 1 piece and the 2 piece is the inner. The seal lips are the same etc. Probably going to order the 2 pc and try them. Will let you know.

BTW, with the 2 piece I found it's best to pack them with some type of lubricant (Vaseline is my go to in oil applications) to keep the lips from running dry as you mention.

[Beachcamper]

As promised, Lippert sent a tech today to look at the issue with the bearings. He was also there to document and report on the service done last Sept in Goshen and to take what seemed like a million measurements on the axles and springs. The rear axle spindle on passenger side measured on center with front passenger axle spindle, did not pass the test. The tolerance is 1/8” and it measured 3/16”. Not an emergency, but he strongly recommended I get that rear axle replaced at next annual service. And while at it, all new springs.

The issue with the passenger side bearings was way too much grease. He removed both bearings and reinstalled them with new seals. He said they were good and so was the grease, no sign of water or dirt. The seals were actually damaged. Whoever did those bearings struck the seal unevenly instead of evenly from top. Crossing my fingers all ok now so I can finish the summer trip without another problem. Strangely when he reinstalled the bearings he did not pack them as I see on YouTube videos. He said people tend to over grease bearings. He looked at them, handled them while spinning and wiped them down, reinstalled.

I found out he also is one of the techs called out to evaluate frame structural damage or frame failures for insurance claims and estimates for Lippert. We chatted about what the main causes were in his profession opinion that have contributed to cracks and bent frames he has seen, Basically he said overloading unit, traveling with tanks full of water gray or fresh and putting alot of weight on back of RV. Again we discussed acceptable loads for water since I only carry 5 gallons with 5 in truck for harvest host stays. He would not travel with more than that.

Anyway, after having service at Goshen center for last 5 years, this is the first time I have had any issues. I am happy however that Lippert is willing without question, to help out when something does go wrong.