bearings,bearings,bearings

[sirrob281]

Hi all, well I have a 23 yr old escort-bayliner single axle trailer. It was my fathers and I know he never did anything with the bearings in the last 10 yrs. I just replaced the tires. They were the originals! Heres the questions, I have never done bearings in my life so this is all new. I have done some research but the one thing about this trailer has is that there is a grease fitting where the bearings are and so I have no idea where to begin. If anyone can give some good advice here it would be great. I took out the boat today, maybe 50 miles all together and the bearings seem to be very cool, and quiet, so i have no idea, but I am just assuming they should be replaced or repacked. Thanks guys any help would be very cool.

 

[rheagler]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

Jack the wheels up off the ground, one at a time is fine. Spin the wheel. If it spins freely with no real noise the bearings are most likely ok, pump some grease into the fitting and relax. If it spins kind of rough and sounds like a rock crusher, the bearings need attention. Repacking or replacing bearings isn't rocket science but it is messy and is easier with some special tools - seal driver, bearing packer. If you go to www.championtrailers.com they have a technical article that explains the procedure much better than I can. Look under "technical assistance" "hub packing procedure". If your trailer has brakes, they will cause a little drag when you do the spin test, but you will be able to tell. Hope this is helpful.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

replace them, if you are unsure you can do it. take it down to the tire shop. they will have you on the road in 30 minutes.

 

[rndn]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

Replace the bearings. Spinning the wheel to listen for noise is no way to check 20 year old bearings and races. If you are not familiar with replacing wheel bearings then as suggested above, take it down to a local garage and have them replace them. It's worth the time and money to know the bearings are done right.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

Definitely replace them and have piece of mind! I did mine and had never done bearings before. That championtrailer webpage just about walks you through the process. Ask questions here and people will help. I am just an average do it yourselfer and I could do it ok. When I bought the boat PO said he had just checked them and they were OK. I took it out maybe 6 times that season and came home one day and the bearing completely broke down on one axle in my driveway as I pulled it into its spot. Change them before you have a worse problem.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

New bearings are fairly cheap and it never hurts to replace them, but I'm cheap and sometimes I go by the maxim "if it aint broke, don't fix it" So I say pull the wheels and bearings, visually check the bearings, and if not pitted or otherwise deteriorating re-pack them and install new seals. If they are bad or questionable--or if it will just give you more piece of mind, then of course, replace them.

 

[2broke4this]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

I would probably replace them, but at the very least inspect them or have them inspected. My boat and trailer are about 75 miles from my new home because I took the word of the previous owner (my fault) and didn't do anything with the bearings (again, my fault) before making the trip from the middle of Indiana to the coast of Georgia. I stopped periodically to check them, and they were nice and cool, so I figured nothing was wrong. After a ridiculous storm during the last leg of the trip (the slowest and flattest), I noticed sparks coming from my right rear axle. I thought it was light reflecting in the water coming up from the road at first. The trailer is at a shop getting a new axle (bearings fused to it) because I didn't think I had the time/money to check them out or have them checked out. Don't be that guy. Sorry, had to chime in...

 

[rndn]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

Great example, sorry you had to go through that though. Hopefully it will save many others from the problem you are going through right now. The average driveway mechanic can't tell if the bearings are good as new, slightly pitted, or have minor flat spots on the bearings or races by pulling them out for a looksee. As mentioned above bearings are inexpensive and are a wear item so if they are ever in question, just change them along with the races and seals. It's not worth having a bearing let go while you're traveling down the expressway doing 60mph.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

NEVER take it for granted that a previous owner took good care of bearings in a trailer, also be wary of trailers that have sat for a long period of time. When I bought my first pontoon I got the trailer with the deal loaded her up and got about halfway home when the passenger side bearing totally went out and the wheel came off!

The Trailer was one of the narrow between the toons type and the pontoons of the boat kept the wheel from leaving the axle. It also kept me from removing the tire. So I had to leave my boat on the side of the road until the next day as it was already getting dark.

Then I got to figure out how to get new bearings on it without being able to remove the wheel/tire from the trailer! Ended up having to brace the tire against something remove all the lugs, taking the hub and what was left of the bearings and races to a napa to match up some replacements.

Got them to press in a set of races then got real nice and messy packing the bearings. One sick day and a bunch of irritation later I get it home. I've since gotten rid of that trailer and built a tandem float on with brakes.

The previous owner felt bad about the whole mess but it was just a stupid mistake on my part, had I checked them or just shot some grease in them for good measure I probably wouldn't have had a problem!

 

[shipoffools]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

REPLACE THE BEARINGS!!!!! Like the water pump impeller on your motor, bearings are too cheap and easy toreplace,and when they fail it ruins your day.

 

[bass buster]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

Hi all, well I have a 23 yr old escort-bayliner single axle trailer. It was my fathers and I know he never did anything with the bearings in the last 10 yrs. I just replaced the tires. They were the originals! Heres the questions, I have never done bearings in my life so this is all new. I have done some research but the one thing about this trailer has is that there is a grease fitting where the bearings are and so I have no idea .

I could be wrong, but if there is a grease fitting on the hub, you must have bearing buddies. Good thing!

Since the trailer hasn't been serviced for 10 years, it might be wise to replace the bearings anyhow.

If you do have the bearing buddies, just grease them up first, and take a short and safe ride with the boat in tow. You'll know soon enough if the bearings are bad

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: bearings,bearings,bearings

I could be wrong, but if there is a grease fitting on the hub, you must have bearing buddies.

The zirc fitting on the spindle probably means that he has an "EZ Lube" style axle.

-E