Bent axle, or just need bearings replaced?

[12thManFalseStart]

One of my wheels is not perfectly vertical like the other one, and shows on the tire wear. Just bought the boat/trailer last week, and totally missed this while looking at it. Single axle late 70's early 80's caulkins trailer. If it is just the bearings, what would something like this cost to replace, and who could do it? Like les schwab? Thanks.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Bent axle, or just need bearings replaced?

Sounds like you need to jack it up and give it the wobble test to see what is going on. They should be re-packed anyhow. Is the trailer big enough for the load?

LK

 

[etracer68]

Re: Bent axle, or just need bearings replaced?

You will need to jack up the trailer, and check the bearing, to see if its lose. If its not loose, you may have a bent axle. You can get ideas on prices of the parts right here on iboats.

 

[12thManFalseStart]

Re: Bent axle, or just need bearings replaced?

ok, jacked up the trailer, and the wheel isn't loose. Still isn't vertical though. I can't really tell if it's the axle that's bent or what. Wonder what this will cost me? Already need to replace the tire on that side due to wearing it down about 1 1/2 inches on one side. Another kicker, is I just bought it last week with the boat, and there's no title to it. Dude told me some states back in the 80's didn't require you to title them under a certain size, and the guy that bought it new lived at a lake, so didn't ever take it down the road. I have to figure out if I can even get it titled, so here comes the headache of heading to the state patrol, etc. Maybe it was damaged, hence why there's no title, and no license plate to attach, which will get me pulled over real soon I'm sure.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Bent axle, or just need bearings replaced?

12th,, replace the axle and be done with it. I installed a new 3500lb axle to haul my 19.6 cuddy, it costs me $150. I too was having problems with an old axle with smooth spindles, bearings not sitting right and being chewed up, since new axle, no problems and incident free hauls to date, make sure you check your grease at least every 3 x you dip it in the water... water will get in!!, new axles today have grease zerks, dont use bearing buddies as they can blow out rear seals.. the connect the grease gun to the zerk and pump the new axles have a hole channeled through the spindle and directs the grease from rear to front, as you pump you will see the old grease oozz out the front. its a good idea to jack up the wheel while doing this and spin the wheel while pumping..

 

[Carusoswi]

Re: Bent axle, or just need bearings replaced?

Can you explain your comment concerning bearing buddies?
I've used a set since '92, and have not had hubs off since installing them, no problems yet, so, I'm guessing no problems.

Just completed a tow of over six hours at highway speeds yesterday, no problems.

What should I be looking for?

Caruso

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bent axle, or just need bearings replaced?

Bearing Buddies are fine. Its the person who doesn't know how to use them that are the problem. Only time you blow out the rear seal is if you put too much grease in them. Basically, once they are full, no more grease is ever needed but people want to give then a squirt every once and a while and those are the ones that have problems.