Can the Spherical Axial Bearing Be Replaced on a CURT Q20 5th Wheel Hitch?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hi Chad, happy to help!

The lower axial bearing used in the CURT Q20 is not offered as a replacement part by CURT. It is a sealed component that is integrated into the hitch head assembly, so the replacement service kits only include the bushings, dampeners, and hardware around the pivot mechanism, not the bearing itself.

Before assuming the bearing has failed, can you tell me a little more about what's going on with the hitch? The most common signs of a worn bearing are excessive clunking or chucking when starting, stopping, or going over bumps, squeaking or popping noises coming directly from the hitch head during turns, or noticeable play in the hitch head when it's uncoupled. If you can move the head by hand and it feels excessively loose that can also point toward a bearing issue.

That said, many of the symptoms people attribute to a bad bearing end up being caused by something else. Dry grease, worn rubber dampeners, or worn bushings are much more common. Before replacing anything, I'd recommend making sure the hitch head has been properly greased at all three grease fittings, checking the rubber dampeners for wear or deterioration, and verifying that all mounting hardware is torqued correctly.

We do carry the Replacement Service Kit part # C16125-SK9 that you were looking at for the Q20, Q24, and Q25, which replaces the bushings and related wear components. If the spherical bearing itself has failed, CURT's solution was to replace the entire hitch head assembly with part # 16530. We no longer carry that replacement head, but it may still be available through other retailers or Curt. Unfortunately, because the bearing is integrated into the hitch head, replacing the head assembly is the only way to replace the bearing itself.

Depending on the age of the hitch, there may also be warranty options available, so I'd hate to see you spend money on parts before we're confident we've identified the actual problem. How long ago did you buy it? The Q20 has a 10-Year Limited Warranty, with specific coverage periods for its different components.

expert reply by: Heather A

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