Replaced Wheel Bearings, Need Advice ?

[Justin Rossiter]

Hello Fellow Fisho's

Long time reader, first time poster, so go easy !!

Decided that I wanted to replace my trailer bearings myself (1st time attempted), which I did Took a whole day all up and most of that time was spent trying to get old race's out and new one's in. Anyway, I put the wheels back on, did the nut up, slipped the pin in and gave them a spin. I noticed that there was no play in either wheel (Phew) However, one wheel would spin more freely than the other, figured I might have the nut too tight, so pin out and loosened the nut off and then re-tightened, but a 1/4 turn less, still the same, no play at all, but not spinning as freely as the other wheel. Is this something that is going to cause my trailer to wheel to fly off, explode and try and kill me or is it normal after replacing ?

Thanks

Justin

[Argle]

Is it a braked axle? If so maybe a bit of brake drag on one wheel?

[NAGG]

It could also be the inner seal touching the axle
Give the trailer a tow for 30mins or so ....... then check for heat - then jack it up a see if there is any play & how it spins .
It's always a good idea to recheck newly installed bearings .

Chris

[Justin Rossiter]

Thanks Chaps

Non braked axle, the seals are Timken marine seals so are a snug fit.

Justin

[Mike Delisser]

Nagg could be right. It does spin a bit doesn't it. There only needs to be a slight diff in how tight they are to make a diff to how freely they spin and it's sometimes hard to get it perfect and still line up the hole for the split-pin. Not a biggy if it is still spinning.

But
Did you also replace the cups?
If you did.......were you careful not to damage the new ones tapping them in?
If you didn't.....did you check if the surface was pitted?

[wags on the water]

Where are you based ? Might be worth getting someone to look over it for you. It's easier to 'diagnose' when something is in front of you, than a few sentences on the web.

[Noelm]

maybe it is just too tight, there should be a tiny bit of "play", but as mentioned, take it for a drive around the block, then check the adjustment.

[Justin Rossiter]

Yep replaced the cups, that is what took the longest, getting the old ones out and putting the new ones in very very very carefully. Which I must say is bloody hard !! the overwhelming desire to belt the crap out them was certainly there at times !!
Based in Hobart, so will drive around in the snow and ice for 30 min then check to see if hub temp is above freezing yet.

Justin

[Argle]

Yep better to be a bit loose than too tight - tight bearings will overheat and fail but loose will go for ages. Note when i say loose I mean a small amount of play not wobbling all over the shop.

Cheers

[fishfeeder]

This might be obvious but did you pack the bearing with grease ??
I was always told to spin the wheel while tightening up the nut until the wheel became harder to turn and then back off the nut a little..

Putt the wheels on and go for a drive around the block a few times and then jack up each wheel and spin the tyre, if it feels loose tighten a little.
You should check for heat during each trip and your bearing shouldn't get above warm.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Brett

[Justin Rossiter]

Thanks Heaps Chaps

I will take it for a spin around the block a few times, jack it up and check again. If all else fails will head to my mechanic for a quick check.

Yes plenty of grease in the bearings, what a wonderfully messy job that is Also plenty of grease in the hub and bearing buddy about 1/2 full of grease as well.

Justin

[bigjimg]

Does the Timkin seal rubber fit over the flange on the stainless inner hub tap in cup? If so may just be a little tighter.Jim

[wags on the water]

Hobart - a little too far to travel for a look to help you out....

Cheers,
Wags

[WalFish]

A little tip for getting the bearing cup out without having to flog th ebejesus out of it is to chuck the whole hub in the barbecue. If you have a barbecue with a hood, turn it up to full bore, chuck the hub in and close the lid. Come back 20 min later, take the hub out and a few gentle persuasive taps with a hammer and pin punch will have her out in no time. Then find a nice piece of soft timber to use as a buffer between the hammer and the new cup, tap the new one in. Works a treat and then you can cook a little lunch while you pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

[Scubafish]

Just A Tip and what i have done to my trailer,drill & tap out the hub and put a grease nipple in so the grease goes in from the center of the hub And you fill the hole cavity with grease and put a very small hole in the outer cap of the bearing.You can then loose those bearing buddy's that keep getting stolen in the car park.i find it is a better way to make sure you get grease in properly on both inner & outer bearings.P.S not enough weight in the nipple to upset the balance of the hub.