Trailer wheel bearings

Submitted: Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 15:39
ThreadID: 23995 Views:8480 Replies:6 FollowUps:4
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Hi all
what's the debate on trailer wheel bearings?
End float?
Pre-load?
Has anyone got some info on the maintenance of Trailer wheel bearing and or a procedure on fitting them?

Todays the day to start getting the trailer ready for this years trip

Start at wheel bearings first time off for about 15000 Km
Found one side good the other side blue !!!!!
the problem I have is the split pin hole never lines up the same on both sides
does anyone use a adjusting cap?
Last time I used a Ford XA manual as they are Ford hubs which go for pre-load

If anyone can help it will be much appreciated

Regards

Richard
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Reply By: AT4WD ADVENTURES - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 16:46

Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 16:46
Richard,

Try this link for step by step info on trailer bearing servicing.

service bearings

stuart
AnswerID: 116390

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 19:11

Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 19:11
Thanks Stuart
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FollowupID: 371916

Reply By: Peter 2 - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 19:47

Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 19:47
My experience is that you should NEVER use wheel bearing grease in trailers or in Landcruisers as they simply don't get hot enough to soften the grease.
I used to use HTB grease and found that I had to regularly replace the bearings due to excessive wear.
A mechanic mate caught me repacking them one day (15 years ago!) and got stuck into me. He suggested using Castrol APX or similar and since then I've never had to replace bearings in either the trailer or truck.
Personally I'd rather have the trailer bearings loose than tight as they will tighten slightly as the heat up.
AnswerID: 116412

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 20:48

Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 20:48
Thanks Peter
Please read below Hit the wrong button
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FollowupID: 371929

Follow Up By: Peter 2 - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 21:55

Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 21:55
I should have said high temperature bearing grease rather than bearing grease.
the trailer hubs don't get hot enough to melt the HTB so the bearings only get to run in what is packed into them initially.
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FollowupID: 371950

Reply By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 20:46

Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 20:46
Thanks Peter
I use a Valvoline grease which is lithium based Bearing grease
After pulling it down today and remembering the trailer has done around 25000 Km without re packing only removing cap and checking grease colour and nipping them up.
The right hand side grease looks very good still blue in colour if only lighter.
The left side was black, bearing had not failed but had blued up around the edges
I do remember nipping them up just before Easter this year then going on a long trip, I must have over done them a bit.
The thread on the left side doesn't line up as good as the right with the cross hole
The right feels great when nipped up the left always is ever to tight or to loose
I my need to try some shims

Regards

Richard
AnswerID: 116424

Reply By: Skinnydog - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 23:11

Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 23:11
You will get a lot further with a loose bearing than a tight one.
Skinnydog
AnswerID: 116468

Follow Up By: Flash - Monday, Jun 20, 2005 at 08:29

Monday, Jun 20, 2005 at 08:29
Absolutely correct.
I have seen too many cooked bearings simply because people have a fear of a teeny bit of free play.
Loose is better than tight!!!!
If the holes don't line up then slacken it off a bit.
0
FollowupID: 371980

Reply By: ROTORD - Monday, Jun 20, 2005 at 12:38

Monday, Jun 20, 2005 at 12:38
Hello All

For real peace of mind , you can monitor bearing condition by feeling the bearing caps after a drive . Hot is bad , so is different temps between wheels . For any one considering doing their own bearing replacements I would rate it as an easy task with a hammer and punch . If you made some proper drifts : it's a doddle .
AnswerID: 116517

Reply By: Richard Kovac - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 20:54

Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 20:54
Thanks all
Thats not what thay told me about sex lol

Richard

AnswerID: 116794

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