Trailer bearings, WTF!!!!
 

Smoked another bearing today bring the boat home from the shop. There has got to be a better set-up!!! I grease, grease, grease, and still end up on the side of the highway tieing up an axil.

I sometimes dunk my my rear truck wheels and they never have a problem. Why are trailer bearings so cheezy???

What about this?
http://www.dexteraxle.com/nev_r_lube_bearings

I don't what everyone else does ,, but I replace my seals every spring with new ones about 10-15 dollars
well worth it, and inspect the races bearings and repack with High temp grease.
I also inspect the disc brakes and surge unit.
Never can be too safe. this is the first year I didn't find
any races or bearings that had to be replaced.
I use stainless bearing buddies and put a few pumps in just before launching to keep pressure on the seals.

Pure you sure you are not over tightening or undertightening them? Best way I have found it tighten the nut to about 15 foot pounds. Spin the wheel a couple times then back it off and tighten as tight as you can but ONLY with your fingures.

Jon

nice stuff , but it don't look like its made for marine use
even there disc brakes are made of cast iron.

I have 4 8,000 Lb. Dexter axles nuder my trailer with those hubs.Trailer has 38,000 miles on at now and never touched. I think they are the cats a$$.

Also try to buy Temkin Bearings if you can.The cheep ones never seem to work.You also may be near the weight limit of the cheep bearing.Get them from a bearing store not AutoZone.:D

wwwTOPDJcom,
I do the same , only I do it every FALL(at winterizing) so I get any moisture out before it sits all winter , which can cause rust and pitting of the bearings and races:(

good Idea, but I dont have the toy barn up yet :D
too cold in the fall here in NY ,, I take my chances
and if I end up with a bad race & bearing I just replace it
. every since I started swaping out the seals yearly
I been ok,, Once the barn is up I will go your route and get it ready in the fall for the next season.

At least we are some of the few that take em apart.

I would hate it on the side of the road.

EXACTLY!! The cheap azz chinese bearings most places sell/install these days are absolute crap.. Hell, I yank them off of my new trailers when I bring em home, not worth the gamble. I run Timkens with a double lip rear seal and Amsoil syn grease thousands of miles a year, no problem.. Knock on wood :D :D :D

Yeah, those bearings with the plastic cage around the needle bearings are really nice (and cheap). Always make sure the seal is snug on the spindle before installing them on the hub. I bought 6 seals begining last season and was in a rush. Needless to say 1 of the 6 was the wrong one. Although they looked the same it was very decieving.

Another way to detect trouble is every time I tow I do a walk around(when I get to the lake or home) and feel the bearing cap temp if one is hotter than the others I know there is trouble brewing..

Re: Trailer bearings, WTF!!!!
 

Definately check to see you if are installing them to tight or loose.

Re: Trailer bearings, WTF!!!!
 

I fill the posi lubes when I get home every trip. That way it forces any water out then, not letting it sit until the next time I go out.

I had a lot of trouble with my last trailer with the bearings. I wasn't burning them, I was actually breaking the bearings. Change to Timkens and the problem was solved.

Re: Trailer bearings, WTF!!!!
 

i switched to merc high pref gear lube with clear caps so you can see if water is in the bearings. i trailer about 100,000 miles a year between five truck and trailers that go in the salt water.