Which Bearing Goes Where

[cclaeys]

I know, complete idiot question, but removed the hub and it started to rain, picked up my work cloth to move to shelter and the bearings got mixed up (the inside and outside - from 1 hub only), one is silver and the other is a black color, same size. My question is, which is inside and which is outside.

 

[wayne h]

Re: Which Bearing Goes Where

hard to say the colors dont matter could be a diffrent brand . to be safe u will need a new set of bearings and races for that side even know u have a 50-50 chance there is still a possability of getting it wrong and then u will know it because the race will start flaking and comming apart

 

[rwidman]

Re: Which Bearing Goes Where

Pretty easy, look at the ones on the other side.

 

[placebo]

Re: Which Bearing Goes Where

I'm with Wayne on this. I once did just what you did and guessed wrong. Just a few hundred miles later I had to do it all again. Bearings are fairly cheap when the trailer is in your own driveway!<br /><br />David

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Which Bearing Goes Where

The big one goes on the inside. If they are the same diameter then it didn't make any difference which one went in which end - initially - but it does now, and what was done on the other side is meaningless.<br /><br />Here is the problem, bearings develop specific wear patterns with the races they ride in. So once you've put a bearing and its race in the hub they have to stay together as a set.<br /><br />So, what to do now? Well, bearings are dirt cheap, why not just stick new bearings and races in both sides?<br /><br />Thom

 

[cclaeys]

Re: Which Bearing Goes Where

Thanks for the advice guys. As cheap as the entire hub assembly is I think I will just do that, only about $22 each. <br /><br />This is an older abused (lack of proper maintenance I think) trailer, bearing buddies didnt have zerks and when I took the hub off the grease was like a milky chocolate pudding.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Which Bearing Goes Where

Excellent thinking.

 

[Richok]

Re: Which Bearing Goes Where

Here is another thought the next time you do that, tie a piece of string to the outside bearing and keep in mind it goes to the outside. If you have to come back later you know what goes where. I used to work in a school bus shop and thats what we done to keep bearings straight. We even at times had a premade tag with the letter o/r and o/L or outside/right and outside/Left. With kids around I find this still useful.<br />I'm with the other guys, replace bearing and race this time.