info on axle maintenance

[cosgo]

I know a lot of guys on here are probably running 7k axles, and i just wanted to chime in on my experience with going with a little larger axle. When I had my gooseneck built, I went with 8k axles (more weight, bigger brakes). What I didnt know whas that when you go to grease the axles they are NOT similar to 7k axles. On the 7k's, you hook your grease gun to the zerk fitting and pump till you see grease coming back (its full). On an 8k the spindle is not tapped to let the grease back forward, so you keep pumping and pumping and you never see the grease coming back toward you. Instead, you'll eventually pump enough grease in there to bust the seal, and saturate the brakes in grease. once the brakes are saturated, they'll need to be replaced. you cant clean them with brake part cleaner, you cant steam clean them. they'll always be saturated and not provide you with enough stopping power. Just an FYI for anyone that has this type of set up.

[Tony]

Thanks for the advice.

My enclosed trailer has 8k axles, but the hubs are similar to my 7k's. The grease does come out around the dustcap and the seals don't get stressed. Might jsut be that particular mfg.

[cosgo]

Must be. my axles are from quality. i dont recommend them.

[Haul-A-Round]

Angelo , the best way to service 8k Qualities is to tear them down , grease the bearings by hand as you would the front spindle and hub on a truck. trplace the bearings , nuts and tab washer and apply a liberal amount of grease inside the hub with a grease gun , replace the cap and quit.
anything more and the seals are gone along with every brake part inside the hub.
nice axles but a pain in the butt to service and depend on. Service out on the road is getting tough.

[cosgo]

YUP. Learned it the hard way. Surprisingly, after that lesson, im am actually impressed on the life after a service. Since replacing all brakes and seals, every time ive pulled them apart since, they have been flawless. A little bit of a pain to tear down, but now that i have a shop, its a little more bearable. I can service all four wheels in about an hour.

[ccoop769]

I know this is a old thread, but please explain why you cant use brake parts cleaner on the assemblys once they been saturated with grease?? I have done this plenty of times with broken seals and they work like new once cleaned.. granted its takes a few bottles to clean the assembly and hub...

[Buster]

They were speaking about the brake pads themselves. All the other hardware is fine to clean but once the pads are greased they are no good.

[ccoop769]

They were speaking about the brake pads themselves. All the other hardware is fine to clean but once the pads are greased they are no good.

Im also talking about the pads.

Ive sprayed pads down and they work. Im not a specialist but I would say they work the same as new. When doing maintaince checks, they brake stop and 12 volt stop the same as pads that have never had grease on.

[Buster]

Well Coop if its working for you, Great! I would not want to rely on pads that have been contaminated. Its just not worth the $10.

[ccoop769]

Guess im thrifty like that!!!

[cosgo]

Yeah, even though ive cleaned them and power washed them with ultra hot water and steam, they dont stop right.. Only choice is to replace. They just wont ever stop right again.

Although, i will tell you that after a good cleaning, you elevate the trailer and they seem to stop great. Its when you are loaded that you can tell they arent working worth squat.

[Haul-A-Round]

when that "cleaned" brake pad comes apart inside that hub let us know how it works out for ya.

anytime pads are soaked in oil they go straight in the trash , I don't care if they were brand new when it happend. you will never get all the grease or oil out of the pad.

[ccoop769]

ive been doing this procedure for years when I brake seals. Never noticed any difference or broken pads. hmmmm, maybe its because I use synthetic grease?????? i dont know, i just never noticed any difference, but now im thinking twice about doing it next time.

[ccoop769]

Also maybe im not clarifying, im also using regular electric brakes, not kodiaks nor hydralic, just good ole fashion electric brakes with the shoes, not pads. But im sure you guys are talking about the same thing. anywho......................

[ccoop769]

Yeah, even though ive cleaned them and power washed them with ultra hot water and steam, they dont stop right.. Only choice is to replace. They just wont ever stop right again.

Although, i will tell you that after a good cleaning, you elevate the trailer and they seem to stop great. Its when you are loaded that you can tell they arent working worth squat.

As far as this comment goes, i can understand the loaded part, but sometimes even in city driving I will have to turn my prodigy to boost 2 so the trailer doesnt yank me back and that is fully loaded with 4 vehicles. Still, good info, yes they are only 10 bucks for shoes, but im thrifty and never knew better till now. But still, how can I just throw away a pair of shoes that I have never had problems with?????? Are we all still talking about same thing, none of our stories coincide with each other!!!!! Or maybe I just havent experienced it yet as I only been running for 3 years as alot of you guys, including you cosgo has been doing this for alot longer then myself???

hmmmmmm, im sure it will catch up with me 1 day:eek: Thank god for 3 axles:D

P.S. Never had any problems whatsoever with my 10ks. I miss them:(

[cosgo]

Yeah, we are talking about the same thing.. I dont use synthetic grease, so i can comment on that, but certainly, after the grease mess i had, these things have been impregnated to fullest with grease, and they stop like crap.