Trailer HUB FAILURE!

Hey gang, it’s all apart and the tech says the spindle is good. So, we’re replacing both drums/hubs, brakes and their components, and of course all new bearings. Naturally doing both sides, the brakes never worked to begin with, and the backup bypass lever has never functioned properly....suck in ‘brake mode’, so we’ll sort that out as well, and put a controller on if needed.

Good news you don’t need an axle.  My reverse lockout never worked properly either so I drilled a 3/8 hole through both sides and installed a lockout pin.   I have to push the boat uphill when backing to my garage.  Can’t do it with the trailer brake fighting me.   After using trailer brakes for 35 years I learned they need attention every year if you want them to work.

Gotta love trailering.  This happened on our last trip.  My "fix" worked well enough to get it back to storage.

Hopefully they get you going soon then,has to feel like it's taking forever. David maybe it's softwood....

KENO wrote:   I think you should check your hour meter and check that lifting/tubing ring on the back too. It's probably been fixed for a couple of weeks now and the repair boys have been out enjoying some hi flyin' tubing escapades with the boat  I think this is them in the link, with another customer's boat link

gun-driver wrote: KENO wrote:   I think you should check your hour meter and check that lifting/tubing ring on the back too. It's probably been fixed for a couple of weeks now and the repair boys have been out enjoying some hi flyin' tubing escapades with the boat  I think this is them in the link, with another customer's boat link I believe that was Pete on his proto-type preparing for the national tube jumping compitition. I believe he went on tour after the nationals promoting his new sport of Tube Flying.

MrMcD wrote: Well Ken, it looks like we don't have to take our 40 lashes after all.  The spindle is actually fine. Have yet to hear if the hub is fractured.   If the bearing came apart without hub failure the only way I can see that happening is if the bearing was ultra loose.  The bearings run in a race.  They can't get out of that race unless there is excess clearance.   Mark's axle nut and washer are still in place but no idea how they were adjusted prior to failure but the wheel coming off can't happen with all the parts in place properly.

Ultra, I've contacted the National Transportation Safety Board, they are headed out to do a full investigation of the bearing and hub failure.  They have reports of a bunch of old mechanics arguing about the cause and want it solved.

I did not consider the off shore bearing issue, the quality of those bearings were terrible initially but have improved over time, today even the top brands are from overseas.  Maybe those rollers did shatter, good old USA Timken bearings did not do that.  

It is ok to say CHINA
Nothing good comes out of China

63 Skier wrote: Ultra, I've contacted the National Transportation Safety Board, they are headed out to do a full investigation of the bearing and hub failure.  They have reports of a bunch of old mechanics arguing about the cause and want it solved.

Where did all the little roller thingys go? 

All on me Ken. All seemed good, no wobble, no binding. All greased. Entirely possible I lost a zerk, grease left the hub, and that was it. 

I have traditional hubs. And that is what is going back on. :-)

What’s a “bearing buddy hub”?

I’ve found bearing buddies to serve very well as high quality hub dustcaps. Can’t say I’ve ever used them to grease a bearing, doing so certainly wouldn’t replace the need for a proper repack, if needed.

I’ve had good luck with the Chinese bearings and haven’t had any bearing issues on one that I’ve repacked. Suspect there is something problematic about the method used to service them, considering the premature failure. I would consider seeking some advice on that front.