How To Repair Wheel Bearings On Your Trailer
Wheel bearings for all makes of trailer hubs. Taper, sealed and roller bearings. A range of bearing seals to suit most applications
Keeping Trailer Wheel Bearings Properly Maintained
It's a subject as old as trailering itself, but keeping wheel bearings properly greased and maintained is a ritual many still forget to perform. The evidence of that is clear. It's still easy to catch a very familiar sight on the side of any highway in America on a hot summer day; a family sitting dejectedly on the grassy roadside, perhaps eating a picnic lunch, while Dad goes off to find a marine service dealer who can replace the trailer's damaged wheel bearings. While servicing wheel bearings isn't glamorous or sexy, it sure can save a lot of lost time and certainly prevents the loss of valuable vacation time — something no one can afford to lose.
Today's wheel bearing assemblies are no different than those of twenty, thirty or even fifty years ago. They still use grease as a lubricant and coolant, they still employ caged rollers that roll on a pressed-in race, and they still use a rubber-lipped seal to keep grease in and water out. What's changed is the grease used to lube them; today's synthetic greases, if used, can offer longer bearing life and a more forgiving environment against roller failure. In addition, there are more methods of protecting and greasing the bearings without actually changing the grease than ever before. While "Bearing Buddy" protectors have been available for many years now, they've since been improved, and have met many forms of competition. In addition, new forms of lubrication have been introduced in recent years; oil bath systems offered by several manufacturers have become more popular.
While greasing the bearings through an outside fitting can keep the water and potential corrosion at bay for a while, the most effective way to ensure that the bearings are full of fresh lubricant is to change the grease on a regular schedule, just like your Dad did before you. The only advantages that protectors like Bearing Buddies gives to today's trailer boaters are reduced grease change intervals and the ability to "top off" the grease between changes. Regardless, the grease should be changed at least once per season (more often if you trailer long distances or trailer frequently).
If you've never changed wheel bearing grease before, be prepared for a messy afternoon. Time-wise, that's about all it will take you, even for first-timers; it's an easy job. Tools needed are few and simple. You'll need pliers (side-cutting pliers work well when removing stubborn cotter pins), a lug wrench to fit the lug nuts on your trailer, a jack, jack stand, a hammer, large flat-bladed screwdriver, and a short (six inch) length of scrap 2x4. Of course, a grease gun with zerk end fitting will be needed if your wheels have bearing protectors installed (such as part number 1980S, 1781S,2047). A large pair of pliers (water-pump pliers or Channel Locks as they're sometimes called) may be needed if the large nut holding the hub on has been tightened too much.
If they don't have them now, this is the time to fit your wheel hubs with bearing protectors. Available from just about any trailer dealer, hitch installer or auto parts store, bearing protectors have become commonplace — RedTrailers.Com stocks the most popular sizes. Most common among boat trailers are the 1.781" and 1.980" inner-diameter sizes, but if you're in doubt, take your dust cap along with you to match up the inner diameter (the part that fits into the bore of the wheel hub). A pair of bearing protector covers will only add a few bucks to the tab, and protect your wheels from any excess grease that may escape the hubs at highway speeds.
