Who built the 46RH? They can handle a lot more that 300 HP when built correctly... Even bone stock they would handle 300 HP for a heck of a lot longer than 15 miles.... Find a better builder & keep the 46 RH....
I've seen to many trailer axles with the brakes full of grease....Bearing Buddies are a disaster waiting to happen... Take the damn things apart every few years clean & repack... And don't crank the bearings down to tight.... Like the O/P stated, "so I tightened them until the brake drum...
Exactly... And I know of plenty of other examples... It's when you bring aftermarket parts into the mix that thing don't work.... I'll agree age, possible abuse/neglect can be a factor... But the original design was sound...
Sorry I don't agree.... This " and of questionable original design" doesn't sound like he's saying they are decades old, unknown history, reliability can be in question due to age, possible abuse/neglect ect