wheel bearings

[brs517]

Does anyone have advice on where I can find instructions WITH diagrams on how to repack trailer wheel bearings? I've never done it, and just bought a used boat/trailer. <br /><br />Thanks<br />Brian

 

[MarkC]

Re: wheel bearings

Here's a link:<br /> http://www.rverscorner.com/articles/bearing1.html

 

[brs517]

Re: wheel bearings

Thanks Mark! That's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: wheel bearings

Brian be sure if you go through the time and expense of doing the bearings to repack them with the right grease. Valvoline makes a MARINE gease and so does NAPA. The gease is worth the extra buck or two.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Bob

 

[krosemond]

Re: wheel bearings

Get yourself some bearing buddies and a grease pump and you will never have to Pack them again!

 

[tcube]

Re: wheel bearings

I've heard two opinions: 1. Repack at the end of every season and 2. If you have Bearing Buddies and a grease gun, not to worry. <br /><br />Seems to me with the information in the link provided by Mark C it's not too difficult to repack. And, using the BBs is also a good idea. <br /><br />I have BBs and use a "water proof" marine grease regulary - where I launch is shallow and the hubs are completely submerged for the duration.<br /><br />I think I'll continue lubing the BBs and repack - can't hurt.<br /><br />Semper Gumby,<br />tcube

 

[Walter]

Re: wheel bearings

The time spent repacking your wheel bearings once every year or so is, in my humble opinion, the very best insurance to guard against bearing failure. BearingBuddys are wonderful, and I highly recommend them. The only draw back to them that I've experienced is some folks tend to over grease, thus blow out the hub seal. That kinda defeats the whole purpose of the BB. Nevertheless, nothing can replace a good cleaning, inspection, and re-pack. Also, I recommend doing this task at the end of the season so in the event water has penetrated, it won't sit in there all winter.<br /><br />Walt

 

[Down South]

Re: wheel bearings

If you pull the bearings to clean and repack them, always check the outter race of both bearings for wear. Another thing, replace the seals with new ones. Be careful not to over tighten the axel nuts when reinstalling the hubs.<br />

 

[JasonJ]

Re: wheel bearings

I just finally got around to repacking my bearings, in an old 63 Holsclaw trailer. It took me and hour to do both wheels. I swear it still had the original grease, but of course the rear seals were shot and the grease was just brown water. I replaced the seals, bearings, and installed the Bearing Buddies. The ones I got has the little orange indicator the shows itself when there is enough grease. Just pump until that comes out, and you'll never blow the rear seal. pretty simple, and the best insurance you can get...

 

[krosemond]

Re: wheel bearings

I had a bearing burn out on me one hot july day on the side of a newly tarred road, the ones that are jet black. It must have been 160 degrees on that roadside, and I had to change the bearing with my wife shading me with an umbrella. Ever since then, I replace all 4 every year. I didn't mean to imply that bearing buddies were a cure for ever checking and cleaning them, just for having to pack them during the season. But I don't bother cleaning the bearings, only the housing. If I am going to go to all that trouble, the 30 or so bux for the new set is worth the insurance of not having to ever spend another july afternoon like that!!!

 

[wd5iat]

Re: wheel bearings

Need some help please. We just bought a 1977 used boat and one of the wheels on trailer were wobblinb so we changed the bearings on both wheels, packed them real bood and the wheel is still wobbling. The hubs have raised areas around the bolt holes and on the other side it is flat. Should the raised area be on the side where tire mounts up or toward the trailer. Also we tried 2 different tires and had them on three times and one time it just barely wobbled and other times it was worse than before. The wobble I mean is that there is no slack at all when you shake the wheel when off ground, but when you spin the tire it doesnt turn true, like goes in and out. Husband thinks axle is bent, what do you all think??<br />Answer via my e-mail please and as soon as you can...<br />Thanks<br />Shirley<br />wd5iat@juno.com null

 

[JB]

Re: wheel bearings

Hi, Shirley. You have a bent wheel or hub.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[saltwateranglin]

Re: wheel bearings

I agree with Walter. I trailer several thousand miles a year with a 23 footer and although I hate to tear down and repack four wheels, I do it at least twice a season. Bearing buddies are helpful but as said, they do tend to blow out seals if over pressurized. Also keep in mind that dunking a hot trailer wheel will tend to pull the water into your bearings...best to let them cool if you can wait...pretty hard to do when your anxious to get on the water! Last few years during lay-up I have started to pull wheels off and garage them. Gives me a chance to clean them up good over the winter and keeps any salt moisture from pitting the spindles and bearings.

 

[Peter O]

Re: wheel bearings

Here's a new bunch of questions following this old thread. I just bought a '96 boat with a '76 boat trailer and will be doing the bearings next week. The link talks about brake drums. Since my trailer does not have brakes, how much do I skip? I have done my old trailer before but never took the wheel off, just the dust cap. I also have not replaced grease seals - didn't know about them. Should this be done everytime? What is a good solvent to use to clean the bearings?<br /><br />thanks

 

[DJ]

Re: wheel bearings

Peter O,<br /><br />Use the instruction from the link given earlier in the replies. It's a good one. Whether or not your trailer has brakes or not really does not matter. The service is the same.<br /><br />Yes, you should replace the grease seals every time. It's relatively easy to do.<br /><br />As far as a solvent, you can buy parts washing solvent from an auto parts store.