ID0555609 – Axle Bearings may not have been Greased – 2019 Ditch Witch VT24

March 1, 2019

Axle Bearings may not have been Greased

The ungreased axle bearings could result in a wheel locking up, affecting vehicle handling and increasing the risk of crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V154

Manufacturer Charles Machine Works Inc

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 59

 

Summary

Charles Machine Works, Inc (Charles) is recalling certain 2019 Ditch Witch VT24 trailers. The axle bearings may not have been greased.

 

Remedy

Charles will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the axles for the affected batch number and rework the hubs with new seals and bearings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Charles customer service at 1-800-654-6481. Charles’ number for this recall is ID0555609.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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Publication Number: ID0555609

Publication Date: DRAFT

 

Safety Notice

Affected Models	HX30, HX50, HX75 on VT24 trailers (see attached list for affected VINs)
Attention	Dealership Owners, Managers, Parts and Service Managers
What Dealer Should Do	1. Read the attached customer notice. 2. Check safety notification search tool on Dealer Central to see a list of units in your area. 3. Order 2 kits for each affected trailer in your area. 4. Check axles using procedure on following page to see if they are from affected lots. 5. Repair both hubs on each affected axle using instructions provided by Dexter and attached to this safety notification. 6. Submit warranty claim. Reference the lot number on the claim.
Parts Required	1 kit per axle: 500-3425 12K axle bearing kit
Estimated Repair Time	inspection: 30 minutes per machine repair: 2 hr per axle
Compensation	labor and mileage
Dealership Notes	URGENT: Please perform this update as soon as possible in the interest of safety. Ditch Witch requests that you update all machines in your area by 09/30/2019. A notification will be mailed to owners of affected models in two weeks. Please note “What You Should Do” section of the attached customer notice. If you have any questions, contact the Trenchless Product Support Group.

 

Find Lot Number

1. Block trailer tires.
2. From rear of trailer, inspect axle lot number etching on both axles.

IMPORTANT: Front axle requires inspection from under trailer.

3. If the lot is one of the following numbers, replace both hubs using kit 500-3425.

123249668

123253883

123256699

123259902

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TITLE: Bearing Inspection and Replacement or Repacking – Medium Duty AFFECTED SITE(s): VARIOUS Revision Date: 2/22/19   PURPOSE:  To remove, inspect, and replace or repack bearings.     MATERIALS: 1. Torque wrench 2. Socket wrench 3. Sockets 4. Impact gun or breaker bar 5. Hammer or mallet 6. Chisel 7. Towel 8. Lithium-based grease (see Appendix A) 9) Appropriate replacement seal (see Appendix B) 10) Hub or gear puller. 9. Seal Removal Tool 10. Safety equipment including (but not limited to): safety glasses and steel-toed shoes   Bearing Inspection and Replacement or Repacking Safety Note: Secure the trailer/axle according to the Dexter Medium Duty 9K-15K Complete Service Manual (LIT-006-00) instructions. Do not jack the trailer up on the axle tube. 1. Identify unit(s) needing to be inspected based on production dates provided by Dexter. 2. Raise and support the trailer (or loose axle).   NOTE: Elevate and support the trailer unit per manufacturers’ instructions. 3.  Remove the wheel nuts with an impact gun or breaker bar and socket, and remove the tire and wheel. 4. Remove cap by unscrewing counter-clockwise while holding the hub stationary. 5.  Remove the hub (or hub & drum) from the spindle using a hub puller.

(i) Bend the locking tang away from the outer spindle nut and remove the spindle nut.

(ii) Remove the tang washer and unscrew the inner spindle nut (counter-clockwise) and remove spindle washer.

(iii) Remove the hub from the spindle using a hub or gear puller.

6.  Inspect the magnets, shoes, and linings for contamination.   Caution: Brake linings or magnets must be replaced if covered with grease or oil.  Do not try to clean contaminated parts.   7.  Inspect spindle for damage.

(i) Clean the spindle with a towel.

(ii) Feel for any spindle or seal journal damage by hand.

  NOTE:  If the seal journal or spindle is damaged, the axle must be replaced.   8. If a complete hub kit is supplied (with bearing cups, grease and seals) skip to step 15 9. Remove the seal from the drum using a seal puller. Ensure seal journal is not damaged during seal removal, and discard seal.   NOTE: If axle is oil lube skip step 10.   10. Remove and inspect bearing grease packing.   Adequate grease:

A. Grease must be between rollers

B. A 1/4” bead of grease must be visible opposite the filling side

C. Exterior of rollers coated with grease

  If bearing is less than adequately greased, proceed to step 10. If bearing is adequately greased, skip step 10 and move to step 11.   Adequate Grease  NOTE: Example only, actual bearing used in medium duty application will be much larger.   11.  Inspect bearings for damage or discoloration.

(i) Clean bearing cone and the inside of the hub and drum with a towel and suitable solvent.

  NOTE: Bearing should be as clean as possible to prevent contaminating new grease.  

(ii) Inspect both bearing cups and cones for any damage such as pitting, spalling, or corrosion (see Appendix C for example photos).

  NOTE: If damage is observed, contact Dexter Service and Warranty for replacement hub and bearing cones. Please have axle serial number available during communication.   574-295-7888 Ask to speak with Customer Service  

(iii)  Repack the bearing cone with appropriate grease (Appendix A) using one of the following methods:

 

• • By hand (Appendix D)
  • Using a bearing packer (see packer manufacturer instructions).

 

(iv)  Verify the area between rollers is completely full of grease and the entire outside of the bearing is covered with grease.

  NOTE: See step 10 for adequate bearing grease packing.   Serial Number (S/N) found on center of axle beam, S/N circled below NOTE: Photos are provided as examples only. Actual experience will vary.   WARNING: If a bearing shows wear/damage, the hub assembly and bearing cones must be replaced. 12. Clean the brake drum using a brake cleaner and a towel.   Caution: The brake cleaner may be highly flammable. Take necessary precautions.   13.  Re-install inner bearing.   NOTE: Ensure outer bearing is adequately greased per step 9 if axle is grease lube.   14.  Install a new seal using a hammer and a block of wood or flat piece of steel set on top of the seal (installation instructions in Appendix E). 15. Carefully remount the hub (or hub & drum) onto the spindle by hand.   Caution: Do not force the hub or hub and drum onto the spindle. When hub and drum are properly aligned with spindle, it will install with minimal resistance.   16. Install greased outer bearing cone.   NOTE: Ensure outer bearing is adequately greased per step 10.   17. Install spindle washer and inner spindle nut onto spindle   18. Rotate hub assembly slowly while tightening the inner spindle nut to 100 lb-ft. to set the bearing.   NOTE: Spinning the hub will seat and properly align the bearing cups. 19. Loosen the inner spindle nut to remove torque (free rotation). Do not rotate the hub. 20. Torque the inner spindle nut to 24 in-lb. 21. Install medium duty spindle torque retention system

(i) Install tang washer and outer jam nut.

(ii) Bend two tangs over inner spindle nut.

(iii) Torque outer spindle nut to 155 – 195 ft-lb., ensuring that the inner spindle nut does not turn.

(iv) Bend two tangs over flats on outer jam nut to secure.

  22.  Check the cap for damage or foreign objects.  Replace the cap if necessary. 23. Install cap by turning clockwise. Ensure plug and O-ring are installed in cap before installation. Torque cap to 20 – 30 ft-lb. 24.  Pull and push the hub assembly towards and away from you to check for excessive end play.   NOTE: Very slight wheel end play is acceptable. Any excessive end play may be corrected by re-torqueing the spindle nut (steps 17-19).   25.  Rotate hub slowly forwards and backwards. The wheel assembly should turn freely and smoothly.   NOTE: Re-adjusting the brake may correct any dragging.   26. If axle is oil lube remove oil plug and fill hub with approved oil (see Appendix B) to the visible fill line on cap. 27.  Remount the tire and wheel by tightening the wheel nuts with a torque wrench and socket to manufacturer’s recommended specifications.   28.  Remove the jacks, lower the trailer to the ground, and re-torque wheel fasteners.  

Level	Date	Reason for change	Writer(s)	Approval
A	2/22/19	New Issue	TGC	JRJ

  APPENDIX A: Approved Grease    B: Approved Oil   C: Seal Replacement Reference D: Bearing Damage Example Photos   Pitting: Spalling: Corrosion: Scoring/Peeling:   NOTE: Bearing damage pictures taken from Timken Bearing Damage Analysis Reference Guide online 10/31/2018.   APPENDIX E: Dexter’s Service Manual Bearing Lubrication – Grease, By Hand Along with bearing adjustment, proper lubrication is essential to the proper function and reliability of your trailer axle. Bearings should be lubricated every 12 months or 12,000 miles. The method to repack bearing cones is as follows: 1. Place a quantity of grease into the palm of your hand. 2. Press a section of the widest end of the bearing into the outer edge of the grease pile closest to the thumb forcing grease into the interior of the bearing. 3. Repeat this while rotating the bearing from roller to roller. 4. Continue this process until you have the entire bearing completely filled with grease.   APPENDIX F: Seal Replacement 1. Pry the seal out of the hub with a seal removal tool or a screwdriver. Never drive the seal out with the inner bearing as you may damage the bearing. 2. Apply a sealant similar to PERMATEX_® High-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket to the outside of the seal. Use only enough to provide a thin coat to prevent any excess from contaminating the rubber lip(s) of the seal. It is okay to apply a slight amount of lube to the inner rubber lip(s) to aid with installing onto the spindle. Note: No sealant should be used if the outside of the seal is rubber coated. For these type of seals it is recommended to apply a thin coat of oil to the outside rubber. 3. Clean the seal journal of the spindle to inspect for nicks or roughness. Use a file to remove any burrs from the leading edge or shoulder area. Clean the journal area with very fine emery cloth. Any presence of deep gouges or scratches in this area may cause seal failure allowing lubricant to leak out of the hub. 4. Clean the seal bore in the hub and inspect for any nicks, gouges, or scratches that may prevent the seal from retaining the bearing lubricant inside the hub. 5. Orient the seal properly. Many oil bath seals will be marked AIR SIDE on the side of the seal to facing out of the hub after installation. 6. Install new seal into place using a seal driver or seal installation tool of proper size. It is important that any seal installation tool contact the outer ring of the seal casing. If no seal driver is available, use a clean block of wood. It is critical that the seal be driven in evenly and straight. NEVER hammer directly on the seal. 7. The seals will be pressed flush to the back surface of the hub in the 9K-10K General Duty axle product line. The seals in the 10K through 15K axles need to be installed so that the airside face of the seal is approximately 11/16” from the inner bearing cone. It is NEVER necessary to bottom out the seal for proper installation. Driving the seal in too deep may damage the seal and may come in contact with the inner bearing preventing it from rotating freely. 8. Proper installation will maintain the seal flatness in the hub within .010″. A seal that is cocked too much inside the hub will be more likely to leak.  

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1 Affected Product

Vehicle

CHARLES MACHINE

DITCH WITCH

2019

 

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7 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V154-4644.pdf 245.779KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V154-5170.PDF 214.119KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-19V154-4682.pdf 147.656KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V154-5228.pdf 1889.748KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V154-3413.pdf 1658.404KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-1

RCLQRT-19V154-8632.PDF 211.136KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-2

RCLQRT-19V154-9477.PDF 211.235KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V154&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2026-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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