On this episode of Tech Talk with TMC on Road Gang Radio, host Robert Braswell is joined by Roger Maye, National Service Manager for Consolidated Metco (KMET), to break down one of the most critical—and often overlooked—areas of truck maintenance: wheel ends and spindle inspection.
The conversation centers on TMC’s newly proposed Recommended Practice RP 665: Spindle Inspection Guidelines, which is currently out for ballot. Roger explains why spindle wear frequently goes unnoticed during seal or bearing service, how cone race rotation causes hidden damage, and why technicians must inspect every component once a wheel end is disassembled—not just the part that failed.
Key topics include:
What actually makes up a wheel end (beyond just the wheel itself)
Why spindle shoulders, journals, and mounting hardware matter
How cone race rotation leads to spindle wear and seal failures
Proper spindle measurement techniques and acceptable wear limits
Go/no-go gauges, micrometers, and inspection best practices
How excessive end play contributes to tire wear, bearing failure, and ABS faults
Common mistakes during seal replacement and hub reassembly
What drivers can catch during pre-trip inspections before failures occur
Why clean, correctly filled lubrication is critical to wheel end health
Robert and Roger also explain how TMC Recommended Practices are built through industry consensus, why they are valuable to fleets, owner-operators, and technicians alike, and how RP 665 fits alongside established wheel end RPs like RP 644A.
This episode is essential listening for technicians, fleet managers, owner-operators, and drivers who want to prevent wheel end failures, reduce downtime, and improve safety through proper inspection and preventive maintenance.
Learn more about the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC):
https://tmc.trucking.org
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