How do I grease this trailer wheel???

[Darren Nemeth]

I have wheels like this on my trailer and tried to get the hub thing off to grease them.

It won't twist off.

What am I doing wrong???

 

[slasmith1]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

It should not be threaded it just pulls off. If it is too tight use a rubber mallet and tap it alternating from side to side.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Nothing special about it, just a typical bearing cap pulls right off. If tapping side to side doesn't work for you, just tap a screwdriver between the cap and hub and pry it off side to side.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Ahh, pulls off.

Okay, guys, thanks!

 

[mthieme]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Looks like the rim meets the hub...most likely rusty.
Hit it with some PB Blaster and use a mallet as described above.
You don't need to remove the wheels to do the bearings though.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

One tip, don't go WHACKING it with a hammer or you will dent it. Nice even taps with a rubber mallet, plastic dead blow hammer or block of wood while turning the tire will get it off in not time.

 

[Pascal]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

much easier to get the dust cap off with out damage with one of these. they are available for less money than the one shown here.

http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Hub-and-dust-Cap-pliers-V216.HTML

they are worth the money if you are servicing bearing hubs regularly.


damage to the sealing flange will let water.

 

[danfrompgh]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Am I missing something in the picture? You do need to remove the wheel to redo the bearing,taking the wheel and the drum off together is much harder. Plus, you get the added benefit of taking the lugnuts off in your driveway instead of struggling with them along the road....just my 2cents worth

 

[mthieme]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

WOW.
They've more than tripled in price in I last got one.

 

[Pascal]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Am I missing something in the picture? You do need to remove the wheel to redo the bearing,taking the wheel and the drum off together is much harder. Plus, you get the added benefit of taking the lugnuts off in your driveway instead of struggling with them along the road....just my 2cents worth

The pic in the OP doesn't seem to indicate that there are brake drums involved but your observation about taking the wheels off in the driveway is an important one and just one of the benefits of hand packing the bearings regularly instead of over reliance on a bearing buddy - as beneficial as they are!

 

[Pascal]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

WOW.
They've more than tripled in price in I last got one.

I don't remember what I paid for mine but I imagine that I thought it was expensive at the time - 30 years ago......

ya - tools are expensive but each job that I am able to do myself, I figure the difference in cost compared to having someone doing it for me and the tools needed to do it come out of part of that difference - when it is feasible. I have built up a fair selection of tools that way, outside of the tools I bought when I worked in a dealerships and private shops.

 

[dlngr]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

I use a pair of channell lock pliers to pull the dust cap off. i also take the lugs off,and put neverseize on them. The trailer I have now has lugbolts,instead of nuts and studs,so they'd be a real problem if they ever rusted.

 

[srothfuss]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

If it's your first time, you can follow this link to Sailing Texas's video and written instructions for repacking the bearings. It'll give you a good idea of the steps involved to do it correctly.

You can download the video (dialup and broadband sized) to use as future reference as well.

Edit: The video is for trailers without brakes... I didn't catch whether or not your trailer had brakes behind the wheel.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Thanks guys for all the tips.

A quick jimmy with a screw driver got it off. I never knew it was going to be so easy!!!

There are no breaks on the trailer wheels. Just has the axle and wheels.

I bet those haven't been repacked in greasse in years.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

I bet those haven't been repacked in greasse in years.

Milkshake? thats what I had when I pulled mine. P.O. said "the bearings are good to go!"

 

[Pascal]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Milkshake? thats what I had when I pulled mine. P.O. said "the bearings are good to go!"

Sounds like he told the truth any way you want to look at it

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Milkshake? thats what I had when I pulled mine. P.O. said "the bearings are good to go!"

I guess I am lucky. No milky look to the grease at all.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

I agree that the lug nuts/bolts should be checked regularly for rust/corrosion and your driveway is the best place. If however you are replacing bearings and races it has always been much easier for me to leave the wheel on the hub. It makes driving the races in and out much easier. Are you replacing or just re-packing? If you plan on trailering much and don't know the age/condition of the bearings and races you need to atleast remove them(bearings) clean very well and inspect for pitting, rust, flat spots, and replace if you see anything questionable. Also inspect the races if they arent perfectly smooth they will chew up the bearings quicker. You could probably get all the parts you need for around $25-$30 that would be new bearings,races,seals and a tub of grease. If you don't plan on towing very much or far distances probably get away with a good clean and repack of whats there. When you go to put the dust caps back on spin the wheel and lightly tap with mallet until its seated well make sure to clean the lip of the hub and dust cap..

 

[NYBo]

Re: How do I grease this trailer wheel???

Milkshake? thats what I had when I pulled mine. P.O. said "the bearings are good to go!"

You obviously misunderstood. He said, The bearings are ready to go!"