Possible issue with Dexter Axles

[RamLab2]

On the way home from Washington DC we had a wheel sheer off the hub while cruising down the highway. Thankfully no one was hurt and the wheel was recovered. But in looking up replacement parts on Dexter Axels web site I have found that for the D60 axel they have changed the design of the hub. So I am wondering if they had a flexing issue. Instead of the star pattern I have they are now a full circle pattern on the hub. Hope to find out more tomorrow when I call Dexter. I have included pictures. Of the six studs two sheered flush with hub, four sheered inside the hub.

[OldCoot]

My first suspicion would be the studs were over torqued rather than the hub flexing.

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

My first suspicion would be the studs were over torqued rather than the hub flexing.

Or a bad batch of off shore wheel studs?

[glen1971]

x2 O.C...

[RamLab2]

Here is the link to the new version of hub assembly if you want to compare the difference.
Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - Hub-Drum Kit

[RamLab2]

I would normally agree Old Coot but I showed my Dad (34 years in auto industry) the pictures and he said that it was very unusual in the way the studs sheered. Plus adding the design change I'm wondering if it was a combination of issues. Over torque plus flexing hub causes Seat pucker while towing. But I will let everyone know what Dexter has to say when I call them in the am.

[wana65stang]

comparing the two pics of the hub I would say its still a case of over torque or bad wheel studs. I have seen wheel studs sheared off like this before but it was due to high torque applied to the DRIVE wheel, yours isn't a drive wheel I know. Just my opinion.

[OldCoot]

In my opinion, if it was a shear, there would be distorted threads and the pictures show none. I will agree that it could have been a bad batch of studs, but over torqueing is still the best bet.

[ottawapaul]

Had this happen once in my rving history and it was traced back to over torquing by a rookie.

[fonzie]

Maybe check what is the torque on other wheels, it may give you an indication, especially if it was done at a dealer.

[wana65stang]

If it turns out that the problem was over torque and the same guy did all wheels I would be changing out all the studs just to be safe, you don't know if another is going to let go and you may not be so lucky next time. Just a thought!

[Blackhat6mike]

X 3 Oldcoot. Dealers never check torque, they just impact hammer them on. That could easily mean over torquing of 50 ft-lbs. No sense spending all that time on trivial matters such as torque.

[OldCoot]

I would just order 24 new studs and nuts from Dexter and change them all. I would then not all them to use an impact wrench on them. Torque should be ~110lb/ft if they are 9/16" studs.

Good time to check all the bearings, repack them and replace the seals.

[Tiggerdad]

Possible over torque but could also be loose studs. Anything new about the nuts? Look closely at the taper to see if they show that they made contact with the taper of the rim. IMO, those are the wrong studs. I am surprised that they have a hex pattern. Every hub I have seen, auto, truck, RV, tractor, etc have had a round head and are serrated to prevent turning when tightened.

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by Tiggerdad

Possible over torque but could also be loose studs. Anything new about the nuts? Look closely at the taper to see if they show that they made contact with the taper of the rim. IMO, those are the wrong studs. I am surprised that they have a hex pattern. Every hub I have seen, auto, truck, RV, tractor, etc have had a round head and are serrated to prevent turning when tightened.

I think you are looking at the picture wrong, the hex part in pic is the wheel nut you can't see the stud base, its still in the hub. You can just barely see the stud base with the spline on one of the two studs in the picture .

[Tiggerdad]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

I think you are looking at the picture wrong, the hex part in pic is the wheel nut you can't see the stud base, its still in the hub. You can just barely see the stud base with the spline on one of the two studs in the picture .

I think you're right.

[timothy clancy]

What type of camper is it if it's a key stone they gave a recall for this issue read about it @ rvdailyreport.com


Clancy vibe272bhs

[Brother Les]

Have you ever did any work on THAT wheel/hub? Why I am saying that is because I had the same issue of sheared lug bolts years ago and the tire passed me going down the road. Had a flat in the early fall one year and put on the spare (all the rims were the same) camped several times in the fall and spring. I forgot to re torque the lug nuts and I am 100 % sure that several backed off a little and let the tire 'wobble' and it ended up shearing off all the lug bolts. One of your lug bolts looks like it may have some thread damage. What does your rim look like? If some of the rim lug bolt holes are wallered out any, then your lug nuts were loose. Until I see more information, if may have been under torqued instead of over torqed.

[RamLab2]

Ok folks here is the latest update to my issue.
Thank you to Denise Davis at Forest River for her help. Forest River ended up replacing both axles, all four wheels and tires on the trailer. So after two and half months I am sitting at a campground checking out my 2012 Silverback 31B.
Also just an FYI warning, Dexter has stated that their axle torques are for steel wheels only that you need to go by the wheel manufactures torques for proper installment. I had downloaded there maintenance manual when I bought the trailer to keep up on care and since then they have changed the manual without letting anyone know. So make sure you periodically check up with manufactures specs.
Plus check Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for any updates on manufacturers.