Wheel bearing replacement

[BRamsey]

Guys I've got a wheel bearing going out on my '96 stratos trailer. How do I find out what size I need and where to buy the bearings and seals? I've seen some at Walmart but don't know if it's what I need? Thanks

 

[jbh3]

If you can remove the bearings and seal, take them to NAPA. They will have a number that NAPA can cross ref. Get a double-lipped seal. I wouldn't get my boat/trailer parts at Walmart.

 

[Hook1]

Go to Trucks N Trailers in Hixson. Let professionals tell you what you need. Or call Tennessee Trailers. Get the right parts and get good parts and you won't regret it.

 

[Tenncrapie]

I waited too late several years ago and Had to buy axle and all. truck and trailer fixed me up.

 

[chillerman69]

are you sure it"s the bearings? does your trailer have brakes? do you have some type of sealed lube system, like bearing buddy or vault? if you're sure it's a bearing and you know which hub, safely jack it up and support the trailer or axle. remove hub and the bearing are most likely tapered, so the front/outside should pretty much fall out, while the inside bearing should have to have seal pulled to get it out. If you've had the trailer for a pretty long time and this is first bearing failure, put the exact bearing back in. Exact includes the shields or NO shields. Bearings have numbers on them and easy to duplicate or cross reference. Several bearing places in town and many more online. You should get both bearings/outer races and double lipped seal for each hub. If you've just gotten the boat/trailer, spend a little extra time verifying that previous owner didn't put wrong style bearings in.
Good idea to clean and polish spindle where the seal makes contact. New seal can ride in a different spot and the roughness can eat a seal lip up pretty fast. There's more but need more info as you get it

 

[WarEagleChatt]

Ditto on Truck and Trailers.

 

[rusty50576]

Whole lot easier to just replace the whole hub. Little bit more expensive but way less hammer swinging

 

[dryhorn2]

If you can get the numbers off them any Auto Parts store can get them for you.

 

[Aries 181]

rusty50576 - 4/19/2017 9:03 PM

Whole lot easier to just replace the whole hub. Little bit more expensive but way less hammer swinging

This is what I would do but you would still have to pack the bearings.

Bill

 

[BRamsey]

Well I got it all taken apart. The seal has a number on it but neither of the bearings or races have numbers. Guess I'll run by trucks n trailers in the morning when I get off work and let them match em up for me. I'll take the hub with me also. Oh and by the way trucks n trailers is on access Road by the river, correct?

 

[Oldman]

yes

 

[rusty50576]

Aries 181 - 4/20/2017 5:45 AM

rusty50576 - 4/19/2017 9:03 PM

Whole lot easier to just replace the whole hub. Little bit more expensive but way less hammer swinging

This is what I would do but you would still have to pack the bearings.

Bill

I have bought them already greased up and I have also bought some others that came with and easy system to pack them without taking them apart. I have had good luck out of both of them for years but I don't have a heavy fiberglass boat, just three small aluminum ones

 

[xroadsbasser]

I pull mine off and take it to Trucks and Trailers. They replace what is needed and I put it back on...usually get it back that day!

 

[chillerman69]

I'm waiting on the type/brand of bearing grease discussions. I have the Vault system and have no choice, so I'm out.

 

[gman0804]

Agreed with the changing out the entire hub. Just got into this situation myself, as one of the spindles had already been changed out, and that created a different race, bearing, and seal then the other. Wished now I had just replaced the hubs so they would be the same. Basically the same money either way you go.

 

[spuds704]

There's no reason to change the hubs, the only thing that wears out in the hub is the bearings, races and seals. Cheapest place to buy quality, name brand bearings is a bearing distributor like, Motion Industries or Chattanooga Bearings or any reputable dealer. You'll save about a third of the cost than at a auto parts store. If your old bearings didn't have a name or number stamped in them, then they were most likely made in China or Taiwan. A good name brand bearing is, Timken, been used in the auto industry for a hundred years. I'm guessing it'll cost you about twenty bucks a wheel, if you replace the hubs it'll be three times that. If you're not sure how to do it, there's videos on You Tube that will walk you through it. If you take it to the trailer place, ask them how tight the spindle nut should be.