How to repack trailer bearings?

[duckboat maniac]

I am new to the whole "trailer maintenance" world, but I want to do things right. I have a lightweight trailer that is just right for a 12 foot boat, both of which are pretty old. I tried to pack the bearings today, but I am afraid I might have packed them too tight. Is that possible? I packed them until I saw clean grease coming out of the edges. The part behind which I was pumping grease actually began to slide out towards me, not completely out. The small ring on the very outside slipped out slightly on one side. I pushed it back in as well as I could, but am not sure it is set correctly. Am I in danger pulling the trailer on the highway? Thanks for any suggestions or words of wisdom.<br />Geary

 

[Scaaty]

Re: How to repack trailer bearings?

If these are "Bearing Buddys", and I think they are, they are supposed to do that. See if there is a spring around the inside holding in the plate with the grease fitting. If there is your'e fine. Just give them a pump until the plate starts to move out. No more...it just needs little pressure.

 

[duckboat maniac]

Re: How to repack trailer bearings?

That sounds like what I have. I definately kept pumping after they started sliding out. Do I need to do anything to relieve the pressure? The outer ring slightly dislogded from the inside of the bearing buddy. I put it back as best as I can, but it is not set like before. Any suggestions? Thanks.<br />Geary

 

[Scaaty]

Re: How to repack trailer bearings?

Knock it off and go buy a new one at any boat store if you want.

 

[trebot]

Re: How to repack trailer bearings?

If you have not had the bearings out for visual inspection, I'd recommend doing so. If they look good (both bearing and race), pack each bearing manually. There are devices on the market which allow you to pressure pack the bearing with a grease gun. Next, fill the hub cavity with grease. That's what bearing buddies do, but its a lot faster if you fill the hub manually the first time. Assemble the bearings onto the hub (use new seals). Install the hub onto the axle spindle. Tighten the nut fairly tight to preload the bearings. Install the tire. Back the spindle nut off so the tire will spin freely. A tiny bit of "wobble" is OK. Install the bearing buddy and pump grease until the inner cap starts to move. Too much grease will only ecape out the wheel seal. Check hub temperature after the first 10 miles of towing. If they feel "luke warm" you're probably OK.<br />If your "buddies" are old, I'd recommend replacement.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to repack trailer bearings?

duckboat maniac,<br />It Sounds to me that Very Possibly,<br />You're headed for a Serious Break-down...........<br /><br />Another member here has written a Great piece on this subject....<br />I hope you don't mind Thom.....<br />Click Here

 

[duckboat maniac]

Re: How to repack trailer bearings?

Thanks for all your help guys. It seems to be running just fine, but I will keep an eye on it.<br />Thanks,<br />Geary

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: How to repack trailer bearings?

Bondo,<br /><br />That article you tagged is great background information. Thanks.<br /><br />There is one little thing that needs clarifying. When you trailer your boat, your wheel bearings warm up, as we all know. But the grease inside the hubs only expands a small amount, so it is not the main cause of water ingress when the wheels get dunked at the slipway. <br /><br />The main culprit is air entrapped within the beraring housing (pockets in the grease, under-filling, dried-out grease, etc). This air contracts fast as soon as the hub slips under the water, and the space has to be replaced by something. Water seeps in - usually very small amounts only - and with every additional journey the grease gets emulsified, the water gets well and truly circulated in the housing, and the bearings steadily corrode.<br /><br />The positive pressure held there by Bearing Buddies helps prevent this, but their weakness is down to the over-enthusiasm of the greasemonkey - they can so easily get overfilled. Then bang goes the rear grease seal, as Toms article says.<br /><br />Ciao

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to repack trailer bearings?

The positive pressure held there by Bearing Buddies helps prevent this, but their weakness is down to the over-enthusiasm of the greasemonkey - they can so easily get overfilled. Then bang goes the rear grease seal,

The way I read duckboat maniac's post,<br />That's Exactly what He Did................<br /><br />But, Hey, He's Happy.......... For Now.........