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81nautique 
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Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5796 |
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 Topic: Trailer wheel bearingsPosted: March-13-2006 at 1:30pm |
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Replaced the wheel bearings on my trailer this weekend and need a few opinions.
On one wheel hub, I can spin the new inner bearing race by hand when inserted, it's not sloppy loose but I can spin it. To stop it I took a center punch and put 4 small dimples at 90 degrees to each other in the hub where the race sits. Then pressed the race in, still not as tight as I think it should be. Would you guys replace the hub or am I good to go. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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M3Fan
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Joined: October-22-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3185 |
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Posted: March-13-2006 at 1:40pm |
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Since a hub is about 35 bucks (with races installed, even), I'd replace it. My shadetree mechanic instinct would tell me though that the tapering of the race will keep it in there anyway. I'd say it's a toss up, leaning towards new because they are cheap.
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79nautique
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Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872 |
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Posted: March-13-2006 at 1:47pm |
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REPLACE THE HUB. The race has to be pressed in and should not spin. The race will spin in place the way it is now and lead to bearing failure very quickly.
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81nautique
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Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5796 |
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Posted: March-13-2006 at 2:08pm |
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Yeah, That's what I figured, I'll replace it. I do a lot of trailering and the peace of mind is worth it. Thanks
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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Munday
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Joined: August-17-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 538 |
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Posted: March-13-2006 at 3:19pm |
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Bolt the old one complete to your spare tire,cap the inner etc. to make it water tight.
Now you got a complete spare set up.My trailer has an extra splindle bolted into a cup i made also,i figure i can call a welder to come for roadside assitance cheaper than a roll back wrecker. Good luck Munday PS my uncles old race car trailor was set up this way but his drop spindle pivoted so when in shop trailer rolled on 3 full size tires |
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JEFF KOSTIS
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Joined: April-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 817 |
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Posted: March-13-2006 at 8:01pm |
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Did the old bearing races show any signs of rust pits where the bearing might of seized onto the race and spun it for a bit?? You can usually see lines in that direction. Wondering what caused the "looseness". I agree with all and that is to replace it.
Jeff... |
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81nautique
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Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5796 |
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Posted: March-14-2006 at 5:56am |
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Jeff,
There were no signs of any problem. I needed to replace the seals because I overfilled the bearing buddies and grease was getting flipped onto the side of the boat and figured I might as well do the whole job while it's apart. Both new and old races are loose so it's got to be the casting. I'm gonna replace it and save the old one as a spare like Munday suggested. I don't see new hubs in Skidim Catalog, anybody got any suggestions for a source? |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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JoeinNY
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Joined: October-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5698 |
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Posted: March-14-2006 at 6:41am |
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I wouldn't pay for the shipping on a new hub they should be very available. A TSC or decent autoparts store should have them or can get them in a day, more common sizes are even available at wally world.
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tcarden
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Joined: February-21-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 54 |
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Posted: March-14-2006 at 8:17am |
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I agree. Go with new hubs and new Bearing Buddy's. Make sure your spindle is smooth and clean where the new rear seals make contact. Tighten the nut to where there is little or no back and forth movement. Make sure it doesn't bind though. Wheel should spin freely. You're set!
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JEFF KOSTIS
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Joined: April-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 817 |
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Posted: March-14-2006 at 6:44pm |
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Forgot to mention (which you probably already know) to check the spindle where the seal rides to see if its grooved or pitted. Being a trailer, it doesnt get used much so the likelyhood of rust approaching the seal is not uncommon, then tearing it apart. We use "Speedi-sleeves" (all stainless) and eliminate the grease ooze.
Jeff.... |
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81nautique
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Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5796 |
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Posted: March-14-2006 at 8:20pm |
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Jeff,
The seal just slips over the speedi Sleeve right? If so they are already there. I 've never seen that before but I just cleaned em and put them back on the way they came off. Looks like a good idea to me. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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JEFF KOSTIS
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Joined: April-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 817 |
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Posted: March-15-2006 at 8:00pm |
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A speedi-sleeve is very thin and have to be ordered in accordance with the size of the spindle. Its a press fit over the area where the seal rides creating a new stainless surface. It increase in size doesnt affect the seal. We use them all te time on our GM trucks on the rear end spindles that always seem to leak 80-90 gear oil into the drums. We intall those and problems gone.
Jeff... |
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AWhite70
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Joined: March-05-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 242 |
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Posted: March-16-2006 at 4:28pm |
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Bearing Buddy also markets a product called "Spindle Seal" that provides a similar function to a speedi-sleeve except it isn't a press fit and uses an o-ring to seal the sleeve to the spindle. I have them on the trailer for my '79 and they work very well.
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81nautique
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Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5796 |
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Posted: March-16-2006 at 6:16pm |
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Awhite70, That's what I have, the "Spindle Seal" it is a loose fit with the O ring. I cleaned and re-installed them. Thanks for clearing that up for me
Alan |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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David F
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Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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Posted: March-18-2006 at 7:32pm |
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I believe you are supposed to use a larger (i.e. sized to the sleeve) when using spindle seals.
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ultrahots
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Joined: September-08-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 618 |
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Posted: March-19-2006 at 12:16am |
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Replace it.Keeping it around as a spare is not a bad idea.It just might be the weekend saving idea if you trailer it a lot.
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