First hub servicing ever, had a questions

[eavega]

So, after taking my boat to the lake a couple of weeks ago and noticing an inordinate amount of noise coming from the trailer (but the hubs did not get hot, so I assume I was on the path to breakdown, but not there yet), I decided to undertake my first ever hub servicing on my trailer (single-axle, no brakes, probably light duty trailer. My boat weighs less than 1000 Lbs and is 15' long). I went to Northern Tools to get all my supplies remembering when I had been there that they had extensive trailer maintenance stuff. I figured that for the cost, I might as well just replace the bearings, seals, etc. The kit I bought from Northern had everything I needed, but the seal was ABS plastic instead of metal around the outer surface. This worried me since what I removed from the hub was a metal disk, but I figured I'd ask the experts here. Will the plastic seal be sufficient, or should I go on the hunt for metal seals? Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, the bearings were shot. Water came out of the hub when I opened it up, and the inside bearings were about falling apart. I got real lucky that didn't happen while I was on a longer trip!!

Rgds

 

[wifisher]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

The part of the seal that is functional is the rubber and spring that rides on the spindle. As long as the plastic fits correctly when you press it in, and does not crack, I think it would be fine.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

You do know how to drive out the races, press in new ones, and how to hand pack a bearing?? You don't just stuff the hub full of grease! Make sure the spindle nut is adjusted for the proper bearing pre-load. All of this stuff is on-line. Just do a search for the procedure you want. "wheel bearing pre-load", "packing a wheel bearing", "wheel bearing replacement", etc.

 

[Bravo315]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

Hello Friend,

Good to see another chap from GA. I'm starting to re-do a trailer I purchased with a boat. I have been in your situation before. Now whenever I get a used trailer the hubs get replaced just so I know the history. Unbolt the hubs and replace the entire thing on each side. Install a set of bearing buddies, fill with grease and hit the road. The Northern Tool in Marrietta where you went has the hubs on sale now and then. Around $25 each side. To me the trailer is brand new unless it physically falls apart. (good working lights also)

http://s702.photobucket.com/albums/ww22/bravo315/1980 Thundercraft Titan 150/

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=461919&highlight=1980+thundercraft+titan

 

[eavega]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

You do know how to drive out the races, press in new ones, and how to hand pack a bearing?? You don't just stuff the hub full of grease! Make sure the spindle nut is adjusted for the proper bearing pre-load. All of this stuff is on-line. Just do a search for the procedure you want. "wheel bearing pre-load", "packing a wheel bearing", "wheel bearing replacement", etc.

There was a handy you-tube video, plus several online resources that showed pretty good step-by-step on how to do it. I did hand-pack the bearings until grease oozed out of the narrow side. Knocking out the races (is that what the outside part is called?) was not so easy. For future reference is there a tool that facilitates that? Popping them back in was just an exercise in patience until they hit the stops inside the hub. Explain Spindle Nut adjustment for Pre-load? is that when you tighten the castle nut 1/4 turn or so beyond snug to make sure everything seated properly? I did that, and it makes sense. After it was tightened I backed it out and pinned it.

 

[partskenn]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

The only tool I have to get the races out is a brass drift. Looks kind of like a center punch, only made out of brass so that you can hit it pretty hard, but if it slips a little, it won't scratch anything up. To put races back in, take the old race, turn it upside down, and work your way around it, tapping it with a hammer instead of hitting your new race with the hammer. Keep at it till you feel it seat all the way in.

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

Sears has a really cool bearing packing tool, I'm sure you can get it other places as well, basically you "sandwhich" the bearing in between a cone and a cup, it has a grease zerk on one end that you plug into your grease gun, start pumping till you see grease totally fill the bearing. Put a nice coating of grease inside the hubs, make your grease dams be each bearing and put her back together.
As far as seals go, if you can at all find a double lip spring reinforced seal you'll be all the better for it. single lip seal, no spring you'll be rebuilding every year, even with the bearing buddy.
Oh, , and don't over fill your bearing buddy! just squirt enough grease to make the diaphragm move, that's it.

Good luck.

 

[eavega]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

Hello Friend,

The Northern Tool in Marrietta where you went has the hubs on sale now and then.

Actually, there is a Northern Tools in John's Creek, which much closer to where I live! I first walked into Northern Tools living in Raleigh, and remember thinking that they had enough stuff to just build your own trailer from the ground up in there!

Rgds

 

[DJ]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

Sears has a really cool bearing packing tool, I'm sure you can get it other places as well, basically you "sandwhich" the bearing in between a cone and a cup, it has a grease zerk on one end that you plug into your grease gun, start pumping till you see grease totally fill the bearing. Put a nice coating of grease inside the hubs, make your grease dams be each bearing and put her back together.

Good luck.

I have one of those, I was BORN with it/them. It's called a palm and fingers. Just kidding, those "packers" are a very nice tool but I can't see buying one for a simple job.

Put some grease in your palm and "work" the grease into the bearing (big side down) in a petting motion shaving off a little bit of the grease blob on each motion.. Once you see the grease come through the dry (up/small) side of the bearing-all around. It's full. A bit messy but perfectly effective.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

And for future reference, putting the races in the freezer before driving them in helps a bit. Also, Harbor Freight sells a pretty inexpensive set of race drivers.

 

[DJ]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

And for future reference, putting the races in the freezer before driving them in helps a bit. Also, Harbor Freight sells a pretty inexpensive set of race drivers.

Excellent tip. Forgot about that one. They (races) almost fall in when frozen.

 

[eavega]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

Now that I think about it, would heating the hubs up some have made a difference in getting the old races out?

-E

 

[bruceb58]

Re: First hub servicing ever, had a questions

Now that I think about it, would heating the hubs up some have made a difference in getting the old races out?

-E

Nope. Heating the hub heats up the race.