Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection

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Little35
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2008/01/29 13:40:23 (permalink)

Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection

This will be the third year for my boat trailer. I have been inspecting and repacking the wheel bearings every year. This requires removing and replacing the seal. Does anybody just do this every other year? Anybody just pull the hub and take a look and then reinstall the hub without removing the seal? I don't put my boat in a slip for the season, I trailer it everywhere.
Thank you for your time.
#1

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    mikeg
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/29 13:52:36 (permalink)
    Install a set of Bearing Buddies and just squirt a shot of greese in them twice a year. I've been doing this for about 10 years now and have never had a problem.

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    #2
    Carpet Bagger
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/29 15:25:27 (permalink)
    if your trailer carries over 3500lbs you have to do alot more each year than check the bearings....bearing buddies are an answer...u gota watch though if you are taking them off every year...you can ruin the seats and lose them...i lost 2 last year..lol

    CB
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    #3
    Little35
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/29 16:12:40 (permalink)
    My trailer has a 3500lb max axle. My rig is probably weighs 1700lbs. I don't have bearing buddies, the axle that the trailer came with have a different system. They have a grease fitting on the end of the spindle that sends the grease down the center of the spindle and then back up the outside of the spindle and through the inner and outer bearings. It seems to work well it just does'nt put the constant pressure on the grease like a bearing buddy. Did you ever see an spindle like these?
    I do grease the wheels after every trip.
    #4
    2dog
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/29 18:18:45 (permalink)
    You are making work for yourself by removing the bearings every year. You say that the axle spindle has a grease fitting and that you grease them after every outing. There is no need to remove and repack them every year. Just watch so you don't push the inner seal out. Every few years it would be wise to pull the hub to inspect the bearings though. As long as the bearings are greased the thing that kills them is arriving at the boat ramp and submerge the trailer hubs in the water. Those warm hubs are just going to suck in the water.
    #5
    fishbreath
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/29 19:10:30 (permalink)
    Another vote for bearing buddies. I grease mine a few times a year; probably not necessery, but grease is cheap and easy.
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    Little35
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/29 21:18:19 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: 2dog

    You are making work for yourself by removing the bearings every year. You say that the axle spindle has a grease fitting and that you grease them after every outing. There is no need to remove and repack them every year. Just watch so you don't push the inner seal out. Every few years it would be wise to pull the hub to inspect the bearings though. As long as the bearings are greased the thing that kills them is arriving at the boat ramp and submerge the trailer hubs in the water. Those warm hubs are just going to suck in the water.

     
    Yes, they are called Safe-T-Lube hubs. The grease gets pumped down the middle of the spindle and then comes back up on the outside of the spindle and pass over both bearings. It is just not spring loaded like the bearing buddies.
    #7
    2dog
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/30 18:46:14 (permalink)
    I don't know about anybody else, but my bearing buddies don't stay spring loaded with grease for long.
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    MuskyMastr
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/30 18:52:53 (permalink)
    2 dog your seals are probably worn.....I fill the bearing buddies on my 16 footer once a year and have never had to pull a cap for 10 years.   My 24' I fill twice a year.   bearing buddies are the way to go.  Although the safey lube system sounds good too.

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    snookyII
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/31 15:51:12 (permalink)
    The sure lube set up you have is the way to go. Just pop the front dust cap off, get an old box or towel to catch the old grease and your ready to go. Slowly pump and the old grease flows out the front and the bearing is completely repacked. Replace the dust cap(there should be a small rubber seal in middle of cap)remove the center dust cap seal and pump a few more shots in. If the grease comes out worn looking but not milky or cloudy your seals are good. You can also visually inspect your seals by looking at the back side at the axle. This system virtually eliminates complete removal of bearing unless a bad seal is found, then you will have to replace as you have been. Do not put a bearing buddy inplace of the dust cap you currently have. Two different types of systems and you will get water intrusion with the bearing buddy. Bearing buddies work ok ,but they do not remove any contaminated grease in your hub,they just keep the hub packed and alot of guys get a little over zealous and end up blowing the rear seal. In my opinion you got the easiest and best set up out there. Hope this helped!
    #10
    Little35
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/31 15:54:43 (permalink)
    Thanks for the input!!! This is what I do now during the season. I will just inspect the seals and if they are not leaking I will just change all the grease by pumping it through with the grease gun.
    post edited by Little35 - 2008/01/31 15:58:20
    #11
    2dog
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/01/31 19:32:36 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: MuskyMastr

    2 dog your seals are probably worn.....I fill the bearing buddies on my 16 footer once a year and have never had to pull a cap for 10 years.   My 24' I fill twice a year.   bearing buddies are the way to go.  Although the safey lube system sounds good too.

     
    No grease showing on the outside of the rear seal or the bearing buddy.
    #12
    Muddogaug
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2008/02/01 08:56:51 (permalink)
    I will pop off my bearing budies to take a look in there. If the grease is white I know I got water in there then I will repack and re grease. But while I am in there this I think is most important is to jack up your axel and make sure your axel nuts are snugged up. Give the tire a spin and grab both sides and wiggle the tire if it wiggles at all  its time to snug up the bearing retainer nut. All the grease in the world wont help a wobbling tire.
    #13
    ayliss
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2011/10/13 11:13:50 (permalink)
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    steeLpunishment
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2011/10/13 12:07:06 (permalink)
    welcome to the site ayliss
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    ShutUpNFish
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2011/10/13 12:14:35 (permalink)

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    bulldog1
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2011/10/13 13:44:43 (permalink)
    Jeez, the least you could do is spam us in ENGLISH...
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    eyesandgillz
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2011/10/13 16:18:39 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: ayliss

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    #18
    Guest
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2011/10/14 10:44:46 (permalink)
    On the way up from Washington county when I make a stop, I get out and put my hand on the axle. If I feel it is hot I shoot a couple Of squirts of grease in the bearing buddies. When I get home I will pull them to repack or change,haven't had to in 8 yrs.
    #19
    leadmen
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2011/10/14 10:54:08 (permalink)
    bearing buddys so easy to pump them up with grease give a shot or 3 befor the trip works well 10years now and they are in good shape
    #20
    bulldog1
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    RE: Boat Trailer Wheel Bearings Inspection 2011/10/14 11:09:43 (permalink)
    I use bearing buddies, but I still check my bearings at least once a year...
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