Boat Trailer Bearings

I bought the trailer today. It's in fairly good shape but its been sitting in a field for about a year. I'm going to get new tires, but before I take the trailer any distance at all, I need to repack the ball bearings on the axle. I could probably figure all this out by myself, but if anyone has any suggesions or can offer any help, I would certainly appreciate it.

So far nobody answered your question,let me try.To repack the bearings you first have to remove the wheel and hub assy.from the axle.To do this first remove the metal cap at the center of the wheel,you will find a large nut with a cotter pin through it,remove the pin and remove the nut.The whole wheel and hub will slide off of the axle.The outer bearing will fall into your hand,the rear one wont fall out because of the rear seal.You can purchase wheel bearing grease at any auto supply store.
You will now be able to see if there was water,dirt etc.inside the hub.Now you have to decide if just adding grease is enough or replacement is necessary.
With your hand work the grease into the bearing and adding grease in the back of the wheel.Reassemble,when you tighten the nut back on do not over tighten,just snug,reinstall the cotter pin and replace the dust cap.
Hope this helps

2007-06-22 11:44:33 by Buddy P

Simple, step-by-step instructions for replacing bearings. Includes grease packing instructions.

kits start at $10 & might be as high as $20.

2007-08-26 19:14:07 by nk12292000@verizon.net

Price: $18.99 $14.51

Bearing Kit Includes: 2 Cones, 2 Cups, Seal, Cotter Pin and Dust Cap
Designed to fit on 1-3/8 x 1-1/16-Inch OD tapered trailer axle spindles.
Replacement Bearing Kit for Boat and Utility Trailer Hubs

i have a small boat trailer which has to do 400 miles next week and want to change the bearings just in case. I was wondering, how do I know what to get. Do I just take the old ones out, look at the numbers and go on ebay or some shop or is it harder? Its a small 2 wheel trailer with a 14ft fiberglass boat on.

Also, should the main axel part of the trailer bend. Its just a square bit of metal not rotating but the main bit that joins the hubs of both wheels together. When the boat is on it, it flexes quite a lot. Is this ok?
ok, but will itbe ok for 400 miles? Im thinking of welding another bar across for more strength but dont have the time really.
Well the wheels do go in at the top a bit but the tread looks even. The trailer is very simple t-bar with a couple of smaller supports going from near the hubs to the front of the trailer. Is this bending a problem? Should I do something about it?

Should be no need to replace the bearings. All you need to do is re-pack them with axle grease. The axle is probably a torsion bar and is supposed to flex. Don't alter it.

2008-08-04 12:31:10 by alistairmoss2003

Price: $23.75 $20.70

Quick, positive lubricant level check
Keeps water and dirt out of hubs
The original product proven in 25 years of service

i have a small old john boat the trailer wheel bearings have a seal on the back side of the axle (tire) but on the front side when you take of the nut there is bearings with no seal only a washer in front of the bearings.is there suppose to be a seal there also?

no, you need a dust cap at least, or preferably, bearing buddies. either way, they're an interference fit -- you just whack 'em on with a rubber mallet. The bearing buddies have a springloaded pressure plate and a grease zert so you can make sure they stay greased. pump in just enough grease until you see the pressure plate start to move. Too much will blow out the rear seal. The grease under pressure prevents water entering the hub. Then before each outing, you push against the plate with your finger -- if it doesn't move, just pump in a little grease.

2008-08-11 15:39:09 by derrik

i lost the bearings on the expressway. the place i took it to said they cant find the right size seal which sounds strange to me. the bearings are packed and its ready to go except for the seals. its 140 miles away and i need to get it home so i can find the right seals. its a heritage trailer and they said they never heard of it.

You will have to measure the size of the hubs outer bore where the seal fits in, And the size of the axle shaft, where the seal lip contacts the shaft. (If you can't get the number stamped on the metal part of the old seal). If you are not in a secluded place away from civilization, you should be able to go to any industrial, automotive, agricultural supply store, and give them the measurements taken from the hub and axle, or the number from the old seal and I am sure that you would have no trouble finding what you need.

2007-07-17 14:50:28 by Zebbman