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B112
USA
5230 Posts |
 Posted - 11/26/2009 : 08:13:53
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So I'm picking up my PowerMax from the farm in upper PA later this weekend and noticing that the trailer I'm using has a lot of play in the wheel bearings. I'm going to jack it up to see if I hear noise in the bearings. I'm not sure what the normal play should be on the wheels, so I'm all ears to suggestions.
Some of my research:
http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/owners-guide/maintaining/bearings/index.html |
Michael |
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skunkhome
USA
12827 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 09:54:38
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| There should be no noticable play what so ever. Running loose bearings will fracture the rollers. I tighten a bearing until it retards the spin of the wheel then back off about 1/8 th turn and line I up the cotter pin. Drive the trailer about five miles and check to see if the hubs are getting hot. |
  Phil
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."
Benjamin Franklin |
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biggie_rat
USA
1235 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 10:14:35
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quote:
Originally posted by skunkhome
There should be no noticable play what so ever. Running loose bearings will fracture the rollers. I tighten a bearing until it retards the spin of the wheel then back off about 1/8 th turn and line I up the cotter pin. Drive the trailer about five miles and check to see if the hubs are getting hot.
I second that motion.
B.R. |
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olcowhand
USA
5115 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 10:43:40
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quote:
Originally posted by biggie_rat
quote:
Originally posted by skunkhome
There should be no noticable play what so ever. Running loose bearings will fracture the rollers. I tighten a bearing until it retards the spin of the wheel then back off about 1/8 th turn and line I up the cotter pin. Drive the trailer about five miles and check to see if the hubs are getting hot.
I second that motion.
B.R.
This would be a 3rd!! |
Daniel in Ky -- So much to do, so little time!
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B112
USA
5230 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 10:43:42
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| Thanks. I drove 180 miles, checked twice on the way and they were not heating. I checked this morning the spin based on the article above. I heard no bearing noise, but I think I hear rust in the tire... something more in one tire. I've got another 230 miles before I get the trailer back... so do I repack on the way? Or just watch it? i.e. could I get stuck without the right tools... I'm going to try again to mount a set of four bearing buddies, so that I can pump grease and adjust the nut verses disassembling the bearings. |
Michael |
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B112
USA
5230 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 10:52:32
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| BTW: When checking for heat, I'm touching the grease cap... I presume I'd feel the heat there. |
Michael |
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skunkhome
USA
12827 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 11:45:53
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quote:
Originally posted by B112
BTW: When checking for heat, I'm touching the grease cap... I presume I'd feel the heat there.
I would grab the actual cast hub. If you are running loose bearings a simple bump on the road could crack your bearings and even the races. |
Phil
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."
Benjamin Franklin |
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B112
USA
5230 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 21:49:52
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| I am getting the recommendation that I can tighten up the hub nut without actually repacking the bearings. Further being advised that bearings really only need a little grease and any extra really only holds heat. If I can easily remove the bearings, I may still repack them. Thoughts? I'll be checking this out further after the holiday. |
Michael |
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skunkhome
USA
12827 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2009 : 01:46:41
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| I would wash the bearings on varsol to remove contaminates introduced in the extraction process and I would probably repack by working a dab of grease from my palm into the edge of the bearing ring. It might be less risky to just snug the bearings and then install bearing buddies rather than pulling the bearings if a good clean work sight is not available. |
Phil
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."
Benjamin Franklin |
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B112
USA
5230 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2009 : 14:07:00
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| A good clean work environment wasn't available with enough parts supplies open during this task... thus I did the quick fix. I jacked the trailer hooked to the truck, spun the wheels and checked the play further. The nut was hand tight and I needed a larger than 12" adjustable for the nut. It's just a touch bigger like the article said, so I used large pliers. I tightened the bolt up till I saw friction and then backed it off. The wheels spun for a while and there was no play when I was done. I put all new cotter pins in and just put the bearing caps in. I didn't want to pull the bearings and get all messy on the holiday. So we got 230 miles left. I went to harbor freight and bought all sorts of supplies which will go in my towing tool box. We all need one of those! |
Michael |
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skunkhome
USA
12827 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2009 : 21:01:52
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| Sounds like you did good. Best not to get too fancy when you have limited resourses. |
Phil
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."
Benjamin Franklin |
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frog19
79 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2009 : 13:53:34
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| I try to keep a good check on my wheel bearing, But on the front of my trailer I have a toolbox mounted and I keep a jack, 4 way, a set of bearing already pack wrapped in a freezer bag then in a can to keep clean,a can of carb cleaner, rags and tools to fix along the road anything that might happen. tie down strapes and a trap. some people think I'am crazy and I might be but I'am ready to go anywhere in a drop of a hat and ready for problems |
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Trailer wheel bearing packing and play
