Are my wheels ok?

[Biggems]

Ok so I'm still a noob but since I've been part of the forums and in the boating community, I've heard ALOT about the wheel bearings on trailers. I'm going to admit that I know absolutely NOTHING about that or even what that is. If you all could give me the run down on it, I would really appreciate it. It seems like something that is really important and I know nothing about it.

I've also attached a picture of one of the wheels on my trailer. The tire and the majority of the wheel are in great shape. But then the center of it and the bolts look like hell with rust. Not sure if this even has anything to do with wheel bearings....

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Judging from your comments, and the rust at the lug nuts...your bearings haven't been serviced for quite some time.

You can simply jack up one wheel at a time, grab the tire on both ends...and check for excessive play. Spin the tire...you are looking for reasonably free rotation, and NO metal on metal sounds, and any 'roughness'.

I would invest in new stainless steel lug nuts, get the old ones off and the studs 'chased' with the proper die. Use a little grease on the cleaned studs when you install the new lug nuts. This is a must, since you don't want to face your current setup on the side of the road, with a flat tire that needs to be changed!

Bearing replacement kits are cheap...and can be had at your nearest Walmart. Smart move to simply change them out....

 

[Biggems]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Ok next time I go out there I'll jack up each one and spin the tire. If it spins reasonably freely with no metal on metal sound, then do you think I should still get a bearing replacement kit?

Lug Nutz are cheap so I can deff. do that. any particular type of grease?

What about the center of wheal, it's really rusted too. Or is that normal? Also, (forgive me lack of proper terminology) the curved, flat rods on the inside that purpose serves as the suspension, is all very rusted as well.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Ok next time I go out there I'll jack up each one and spin the tire. If it spins reasonably freely with no metal on metal sound, then do you think I should still get a bearing replacement kit? I'll probably get 'flamed' for this, but...if your boat is light, and you don't trailer any great distance, and you keep the speed down...you can probably go a bit longer. I'd change them if this was mine...but my rig is heavier, and I have to go pretty far to launch.
Lug Nutz are cheap so I can deff. do that. any particular type of grease? I use Anti-Seize compound...but water proof bearing grease does fine. Just use both sparingly, as long as the threads are coated.
What about the center of wheal, it's really rusted too. Or is that normal? Pretty much. Also, (forgive me lack of proper terminology) the curved, flat rods on the inside that purpose serves as the suspension, is all very rusted as well. The springs will always rust...unless you take the trouble (like some do) to give them a good oil bath every season. The rust will not deter the springs performance, in most cases. Take a hard look at the suspension, and make a logical judgement as to what is superficial...and what looks to be weakened.

You will be the best judge of what needs to be replaced, if anything, on your rig. Don't be alarmed about surface rusting...that goes hand in hand with boating!

 

[Biggems]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Awesome thanks Rocky!

 

[kamby]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

my springs are rusted on mine, no biggie, as long as if yo hit them no big hunks of metal fall off.

Id service those hubs, new bearings, seals, races etc.. U never know and 10 bucks a kit or whatever it is hell of a lot cheaper than $500 boat axle, atleast thats what Olympic boat centers got me for when my dad forgot to grease the hubs and left on a 700mi round trip trip. Tire wobbling smoking spitting bearings out. And the vehicle he was in if the tire would have fallen off its a possiblity it would have flipped and took the truck with it.

You know the saying 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'

Id also get some berring buddies

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

I can see this is completely new to you. Changing out your bearings and doing regular checks is easy, but if you know anyone that has done it before, have them show you. Mistakes can be made. Bearings should have the grease presses into them before being used. How loose or tight the retainer nut us set is very important.
Regular inspections are necessary and what to do is easy, but knowing how to do it properly is a must.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

this is a good tutorial about any trailer. good stuff.
http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html

 

[Biggems]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Thanks Tasha. Looks like a great website. I'll read up on it.

And you are right, I know nothing about this! lol If you say it is easy to do and a beginner can handle it then great. I'll take it on.

You said wallmart sells the kit? Assuming it comes with everything I need right? Are there different types that would be specific to the trailer that I have?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Do not lubricrate lug nuts and studs. There are two reasons against this and only one for it. The only reason for it would be IF the trailer (or vehicle) manufacturer recommends it and few of them do. The reasons against it are it does not allow proper torquing since torque values are specified on a dry fit. If your trailer has closed, chrome nuts the grease can pack up inside which creates a hydraulic lock which also prevents proper torque settings. Lubricated studs also means on the off chance you actually use a torque wrench to torque the nuts, you actually end up over torqueing them, stretching the bolt which after a few miles loosens up. Search the web on this topic. There is an abundance of information explaining when and when not to lubricate studs and nuts.

 

[kamby]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Also check these folks out

they have videos and writen dialog very good info and they show you how to do it with common tools too.


http://www.etrailer.com/tvc-16-Trailer-Service.html Theres video that shows wiring, installing breaks etc as well

 

[AZcamperguy]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

I have the same questions as the OP. The information provided here is incredibly useful to guys like me that have no prior experience and no one around locally to explain how it is done. Thanks!

 

[Biggems]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Ok I wont lube any lugnuts.

Thanks Kamby, thats an awesome website. I will replace the bearings as soon as I have the time and money. Walmart right? are there different kits or are they all they same? When I get out there next (hopefully this weekend) I'll jack up each tire and give them a spin. If they spin relatively freely, then I'll assume It isn't THAT urgent.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

The metal caps on the center of the hub should be replaced with bearing buddies or similar.That way you can hit them with the grease gun a few times a year.
Look at these,http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Trailer_...9225001--**********.786564040--view_id.238559

Also you can buy the complete hub kits already to go on,new studs,bearings,lug nuts and all,
Look here,http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Trailer_...9225001--**********.786564040--view_id.217609

There are a few sizes so take the old hub or bearings with you..
Northern Tool stocks all of these fairly cheap too..as well as Walmart

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200334714_200334714

 

[thepotroast]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Ok I wont lube any lugnuts.

Thanks Kamby, thats an awesome website. I will replace the bearings as soon as I have the time and money. Walmart right? are there different kits or are they all they same? When I get out there next (hopefully this weekend) I'll jack up each tire and give them a spin. If they spin relatively freely, then I'll assume It isn't THAT urgent.

I believe WalMart carries a standard 1" trailer bearing kit. They sell for about $17 here, and that's for both wheels.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Sweet thanks everybody. I just want to make sure I'm not getting in over my head in taking on a project that I wont be able to finish due to my noobness. Sounds pretty simple though.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Have you seen a wheel come off a 1 ton dualie moving van and pass you at 60 mph? well I have and the result was about $2000. in damage to the van and the guys front porch,funiture, railings and vinyl siding after a couple of rusted stud we thoought were ok after chasing were left go. moral to the story lug nut stud set for van $25.00 property and van damage $2000. Be safe for your sake and others ( studs, nuts and bearings)

 

[kamby]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Im not 100% sure, but from what i understand bearing manfuctures use the same model numbers for exampble L44634 are the 1" model number, the ones in my camper were made in japan the replacements at walmart were chinese.

Also check to make sure the seals are double lip seals, they have a spring inside supposed to get a better seal for water use.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

I agree with the not greasing the studs and nuts but as rusty as those appear to be I would at least take them off, get a small wire brush(about the size of a toothbrush) spray the studs and nuts with wd-40 or the like, scrub them up and clean the rust off then wipe all off well with rag and re-install, it will make future work much easier to atleast get a bit of protection on them. As far as the bearings go its not super hard but you do need to be confident and kind of know the process. The hardest part for first timers is getting the old races/cups out and the new ones driven in square and all the way down. You should always replace the bearing and race togather, and the seal while its apart. On that small of a rig bearing buddies arent a must but are nice to have, depends on your budget, the metal caps you have are acceptable and have been around a long time. The problem with bearing buddies is people have a tendency to over grease them and blow out the real seal way faster than just normal packing by hand. The only way to tell what size bearings you have now is to take them off, clean them up and look for numbers on the back of the bearing itself. At that point you are well on your way to a bearing job anyways, so you can A inspect current CLEAN bearings and races looking for ANY rust, pitting, missing parts, wavyness of race, etc. if all checks out well re-pack and reinstall existing stuff. Or B take cleaned bearing to store and replace with exact same ones and re do all back to new. You will need a tub of good quality grease, new bearing kits, and seals if they don't come in the kit. The seals are important because they keep water out and the grease in. Read up on the process and print it off if need be so you have a reference and go for it. You will need to do it or have it done sooner or later...

 

[Biggems]

Re: Are my wheels ok?

Is this what I need? http://www.drillspot.com/products/509369/reese_7279142_wheel_bearing_kit_1

But I also need hubs right?

I have a wire brush about the size of a toothbrush so I'll take off the nuts and scrub them along with the studs and give them a good spray with some WD-40.