rsimms
Well-known member
No, not in stock. But give them the size and they can get them quickly ( a day or two at most).
Trailer Bearings Life Span
- Thread starter rsimms
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No, not in stock. But give them the size and they can get them quickly ( a day or two at most).
Bass Addict
Well-known member
Just to let you guys know you can over grease your axle bearings with bearing buddys. When you do so it pushes the seal out of the back of the hub or turns the lip out on the seal and it will let water in. Water is your main enemy with wheel bearings. Once it gets in and rusts the rollers in the bearing it creates pits and the chrome on the bearing starts to flake off causeing the entire bearing to self destruct. The bearings are machined pieces of equipment with tight tollerences. As for flat spots in the bearing from sitting, not trying to step on anyones toes, that is very unlikely. I have been a diesel/gas/trailer mechanic all my life and never seen failure due to sitting. Dont get me wrong I am not trying to contridict any one by no means. Wheel bearings should last a lifetime if they are proparlly taken care of.
smokinbasser
Well-known member
My 98 tracker trailer has one or two miles on it considering it was purchased north of Cincinnati and trolled around there for 5 years before coming south. I was a mechanic and was on the road so my tools can help me do just about any task. I have always felt the tires after a distance and the wheel near the hub to check for any heat at all. I have bearing buddies and pack them with a special blue high pressure grease by DA. I am still on the original bearings from 98. But I think I'll go out and give them a yank and see what shakes. Thanks for the reminder. Not one iota of wiggle, the proper greasing does the task! I should mention my boat has been garaged most of its life, which helps keeping a boat & trailer in a ready to go condition. I agree with the previous statement"if it aint broke don't mess with it"
team-d
Well-known member
I worry about it too but my trailer will be 10 years old this spring and so far so good. I have bearing buddies and give them a few squirts several times a year - also check them for heating on long trips but always figured by the time you feel them getting hot you're probably toast anyway. Would love to have some of the new oil bath bearings they are putting on a lot of new boat trailers nowadays...
Buoy-Master
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- Apr 30, 2006
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Oil is better. </p>
Even though allot of you have had great success with grease, its for a couple of reasons. 1 is that 10 years ago, bearings were just made better. American made. The new ones dont go that long. I had a 72 model trailer once and it had original parts...but dropped like a rock when it went out. 2. Easy maintenance., just dont over grease.</p>
Still...if your boat sits for a long period of time say 4-5 months or better, watch for flat spots on the bearrings. I worked warranty and purchasing for 5 years and have used 2 "major" names in the business. They do wear down and go bad.</p>
Even though allot of you have had great success with grease, its for a couple of reasons. 1 is that 10 years ago, bearings were just made better. American made. The new ones dont go that long. I had a 72 model trailer once and it had original parts...but dropped like a rock when it went out. 2. Easy maintenance., just dont over grease.</p>
Still...if your boat sits for a long period of time say 4-5 months or better, watch for flat spots on the bearrings. I worked warranty and purchasing for 5 years and have used 2 "major" names in the business. They do wear down and go bad.</p>
mmarcum6
Well-known member
I have worked in maintenance for about 18 years and have never witnessed flat spots on bearings or races from sitting. What I have experienced is damage caused from bearings sitting in one position with contaminates in the lube causing pitting on the surfaces. I doubt anyone here replaces their front wheel bearing every year or two on their truck, and this is exactly the same type of bearing and race. The key thing is to keep it lubricated and free from contaminates. It is true that water is the biggest problem with trailer wheel bearings, and over lubrication is what gives the water an avenue to get to the bearing in the first place. One option to look into is a line of self lubricating oil impregnated bearings that are rated for industrial use. I know they may be available from other brand distributers, but the one I'm most knowledgable with is SKF. The bearing retainer cage is made from an oil impregnated UHMW (oil impregnated Ultra High Molecular Synthetic Plastic). It can't rust and will release oil only when it is heated as in when pulling the trailer. When the bearing cools it wicks the oil back into the plastic. Because of the surface tention of the oil versues water the bearing only wicks in oil and not the water. The other thing is to use good quality grease as a surface coverd with grease will not attract moisture. Oil and water and grease and water do not mix. The water will always float to the surface. If both surfaces are covered well with grease then the water will suspend between the two layers and do no harm. As the bearing heats then the water will heat and be expelled as a vapor.
Northern tools has a good selection of bearings , seals , pretty much anything you need for a trailer of any kind , and they are cheaper than anyone Ive seen.
I just replaced my bearings and seals, was messy but not hard to do .. but I have basic stuff no brakes, just single axle.
Bearings kit for mine including grease was about 40 bucks at northern tools, that is for both wheels, of course if you want you can buy a new hub with every thing greased and ready to slide on for about 30 each side for a small trailer 1" axle.
I just replaced my bearings and seals, was messy but not hard to do .. but I have basic stuff no brakes, just single axle.
Bearings kit for mine including grease was about 40 bucks at northern tools, that is for both wheels, of course if you want you can buy a new hub with every thing greased and ready to slide on for about 30 each side for a small trailer 1" axle.
