bldrbuck
one or the other
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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BrokenElbow If you had taken the unit to a local RV shop would you have posted the problem here or just taken it back? I know CW sometime does less than great work but do they really deserve the knocks give here?
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past-MIdirector
Michigan
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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They sure do like to pick on CW and Good Sam but a lot of them will defend Coachnet or FMCA. My only question is most of us after maintenance is performed will check operation before leaving, so why didn't he check the brakes before pulling out of the lot? Most people I know that tow check the brake operation everytime they hook up before they pull out onto the road.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Packing bearings is a slam dunk for a high school autoshop student.
If they get bad press for being knuckleheads who's fault is that?
Don't worry the same guy probably got a warm fuzzy employee of the month picture on the wall for actually showing up at work. The shop manager should not let this stuff go out the door.
Many talk down about China quality being so poor as if what we get here in the US is any better 
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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Loosening the brakes to get the drums off to re-pack bearings is normal. But after the bearings are re-packed and re-assembled, re-adjusting the brakes are required. Normally the brakes are re-adjusted while the wheel serviced is still on the jack. And before moving to the next wheel. It is not a good service to not get the brakes re-adjusted on one wheel. But no adjustment on all four? Someone has no idea of proper service.
Now they want you to bring your trailer back to them, with no brakes? I never would have taken it off their lot in the first place. You gotta wonder if they installed new seals, and preloaded the bearings correctly.
But then I would not be taking my trailer to any RV repair service for re-packing bearings. If you cannot do it yourself, find any reputable local automotive repair shop. You don't need to pay any RV specialist to re-pack wheel bearings. In fact, I would find a local mechanic to adjust the brakes and check the pre-load on the bearings. Obviously, the previous RV tech did not know what he was doing.
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garry1p
Oklahoma
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I agree repacking the wheel bearings is not rocket science but there are a few critical details like preloading the bearings and adjusting the brakes are important part of the service.
I would suggest when they adjust the brakes you need to see if you can feel any side to side movement of the wheel when it is jacked off the ground. There should be no play and the wheel should spin freely if you hear a slight scraping sound as the wheel turns that is OK (this is with the wheel jacked up).
Garry1p
1990 Holiday Rambler Aluma Lite XL
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Terrydactile
Bessemer, Alabama
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I am so thankful that I grew up working with my dad on cars and everything else. Makes doing jobs like this a breeze. Sorry your having the trouble. I love being able to do it myself even though my lazy butt doesn't want to sometimes.
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BrokenElbow
Valencia, CA
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Folks:
I wasn't knocking CW, they recently replaced my front cap and did a great job. I was just trying to understand if I was being told the right thing. It just didn't sound right to me and I don't want the tt to be unsafe to me or anybody else.
I took the tt back to CW for them to examine it and let me know what they thought. The tech who did the work told me that the axles were "loaded" with grease when he first looked at them and he had to clean them out and that he had not adjusted the brakes at all (this may be so, but the brakes worked perfectly before repacking the axles). The supervisor drove the rig and said he wouldn't recommend adjusting the brakes, that they were working...and they are, but not very well IMO. If they had ground the drums or something like that, I would assume that they had to break in. But they say they didn't do that.
All I know is that I can't adjust the F350 brake controller settings the way that is recommended in the owners manual because the brakes at maximum setting (10) don't lock up the tt wheels. It used to lock up the wheels at 5. You are supposed to set it so the tt wheels lock up at 15MPH and then back off until they don't lock. Then you have maximum stopping power. This worked perfectly before.
I have made an appt at another shop in town to take a look at the brakes and give me a second opinion. I'll let you know what I find out.
I agree about doing most of the work on your rig yourself if you can. At least you know how well it was done. I just haven't packed the axles before and didn't have time to learn to do it before our next trip.
Thanks for all the help.
2011 Montana 3455, MorRyde pin box, TrailerSaver BD3 air hitch, G614 tires, 2x6volt batteries, 2 x Honda 2000i, Rotochoks, Levelairs, TST TPMS, Arvika bike rack, Voyager Semi Wireless Rear Cam, Flojet Mascerator, 2008 F350 Lariat 6.4L diesel 4x4 SB CC SRW
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CamperTech
Seacoast, NH
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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Broken Elbow....
Don't worry about the CW defenders, they know not so much! I know some of the "technicians" and they're nothing but glorified prep boys! I'm sure they have some good techs...I just never met one!
As said, packing bearings is not rocket science, but inpecting & adjusting brakes really should be adressed when the bearings are done. There's no easier time to inspect & clean brakes than when the drum is off. Also, adjusting is easier while the wheel is off the drum. I can't understand why ANY company would not make that part of the bearing repack service. Not only is it the best time, but great customer service!
I hope you have better luck at the other shop!
Oh, almost forgot.....the "readjust to zero" statement is complete BS! They are screw adjusters and unless intentionaly turned they remain where they were last set.
* This post was
edited 08/04/10 10:33am by CamperTech *
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BrokenElbow
Valencia, CA
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CamperTech, thanks. I'll report the findings I get from the other shop.
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RonB1
Kansas
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Joined: 06/20/2010
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I take care of bearing maintenance in two ways:
1) Do it myself, then I know who to yell at
2) Take it to my auto mechanic who I trust. Not all can fit a larger rig in buy ours does.
RonB
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