I caught it just in time!

[LubeDude]

I`m normally a person that stays right on top of things as far as maintenaince goes.

I bought my boat used about 2 years ago, "SUSPOSIDLY" the trailer bearings were all done at that time. I don`t very often trailer more than about a mile to the boat ramp and ocationally 20 or so miles. Well, I`m going to a little lake called Cottage Grove Lake over off of I-5 this Saturday, it will be about a 150 mile round trip so I decided I better have a look at my trailer bearings. I decided to take one off last night , bring it to work and pack it and put on a new seal today and the other one tomorrow so I wouldn`t have to tow the boat into town.

:^OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:^

I pulled the hub and the grease just ran out in globs, grey and runny, must be emulsified with water. No rust, everything actually looks fine but I doubt if I would have made it over and back without some kind of failure. I`d have been one of those guys that I point to and say, "Theres a guy that doesn`t check his bearings often enough"! Would have been a ruined trip for sure.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: I cought it just in time!

Re: I cought it just in time!

Good catch, LD. Never hurts to check them, especially before a long trip. I was out doing that today, as I'm heading out for a 300 mile trip tomorrow. Just put new bearings on it in the spring, but better safe than on the side of the road. Don't want to be one of those guys either....8)

 

[JB]

Re: I cought it just in time!

Re: I cought it just in time!

Got bearing Buddies, LD? The grease should be under pressure to not allow water intrusion, provided the seals hold the pressure.

Better check the seals, too.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: I caught it just in time!

Got bearing Buddies, LD? The grease should be under pressure to not allow water intrusion, provided the seals hold the pressure.

Better check the seals, too.

Yes, I have buddies, also the grease fitting in the back of the hub. I don`t think that they were checked before I bought it like they said. Yep, new seals every time they come apart. I really give no fault to anyone but myself, I rarely trust anyone else just for this reason! I bought this boat from a broker, I hate brokers.:devil: The grease I pushed out of the buddies was just a white lithium type grease, I don`t think it was even marine grease?

 

[bjcsc]

Re: I cought it just in time!

Re: I cought it just in time!

You found it before it failed and/or caused you problems. That still counts for staying on top of things in my book...

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: I cought it just in time!

Re: I cought it just in time!

I have had that happen if all of the cleaning solvent wasn't blown / dried out of the bearing after being cleaned. Just a small amount will turn the grease all watery and needless to say not to much lubrication.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: I cought it just in time!

Re: I cought it just in time!

I also found that the lug nuts were so tight that I actually had to take the nut off the spindle and bring the wheel and all into the shop and use my impact to get the hubs off the wheel, If I would have had a flat I would never have got the wheel off!:^ The seal on one side was gone, grease all over the inside of the wheel.

So, now all is well, new grease, new seals, new lug nuts at $2.00 apeice.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: I caught it just in time!

That's cheaper than new spindles for sure! Way cheaper than the fiberglass repair after the boat skids down the highway when the hub snaps loose; saw a nice bowrider laying in the ditch just a few days ago, still attached to the one wheel trailer! Ouch!!!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: I caught it just in time!

Lubriplate Brand trailer hub grease is white lithium as are all the greases they mfgr.....as far as I know.
Mark