hot hub and wheel

[skicat]

I trailered my boat 20 miles for the first time after winterizing. The dealer had repacked my wheel bearings. Three wheels were cool after arriving, one was hot to the touch. What is causing this, and should I do something about it?

 

[JB]

Re: hot hub and wheel

Moving to Trailers.

 

[gss036]

Re: hot hub and wheel

You probably have one bearing on too tight. Jack up the wheel and see if it spins freely and has any play at all. Remove the dust cap and check to make sure there is grease in the hub. If the nut is on too tight, simply pull out the carter key and back the nut off and then just finger tighten and recheck. If it spins ok, replace the carter key and dust cap and you are on your way. Since you paid to have it done, if the bearing is scored, take back and let the guy repair it properly.

 

[jlshields]

Re: hot hub and wheel

Could be a brake shoe dragging. And YES you should find out what's causing it or you may spend some of your boating time sitting along side the road!

 

[shafe80]

Re: hot hub and wheel

I had the same problem and replaced my bearings and my tire is still locking up. How would I fix a brake shoe dragging?

 

[datawire]

Re: hot hub and wheel

We got some oil on the brake pads once - they swelled to the point a wrecker couldn't drag it. About 6 cans of "Brake Kleen" (by CRC) later, all was ok till we could get it home and replace the pads.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: hot hub and wheel

Originally posted by shafe80:<br /> I had the same problem and replaced my bearings and my tire is still locking up. How would I fix a brake shoe dragging?

Drum brakes often (always?) have an adjustment on the inside of drum. I had this problem once and just backed them off until they didn't heat up again. Nowadays, I have a good guy service my brakes and bearings every spring, as well as a checkup before major trips, if any. Haven't had the problem in years. <br /><br />If you do take it to a guy to fix it for you, have him show you how to back off the shoes if you don't already know how. Could be handy in a pinch.

 

[skicat]

Re: hot hub and wheel

Well I jacked up my trailer and found that the wheel which got hot was hard to turn. I took it apart and found either grease or brake fluid on the shoe. I had to back the adjustment down all the way, cleaned up the fluid and reassembled. It now turns very easily. Have I really fixed it, or is the shoe ruined? Could a brake fluid leak be the problem? How do I fix that? Thanks

 

[kd6nem]

Re: hot hub and wheel

The shoes need to be replaced. IF you're sure the dealer caused the problem you can ask them to fix it. Electric trailer brakes don't use hydraulics, right? I've never worked on trailer brakes, but kind of doubt there should be any brake fluid in that area. Probably it is grease? Maybe it expanded to the point of leaking out because of the heat; got hot because the bearing was too tight? I'd inspect the bearings and races, too. Replace if pitted, scored, or discolored. Check both inside and outside ones.

 

[skicat]

Re: hot hub and wheel

The trailer has surge brakes, so there is brake fluid. It kinda looked like brake fluid, but I could not find a leak, and am not sure.

 

[kd6nem]

Re: hot hub and wheel

What does the fluid smell like? Might be hard to tell if everything got too toasty in there. Find & fix the source of whatever got on the shoes then change the shoes.

 

[skicat]

Re: hot hub and wheel

I am taking the boat out tomorrow. It is about 20 miles to the lake. I will feel the wheels when I get there. If they are all cool, I am leaving it alone. If it is still hot, I am taking it to a garage to have the brake fixed. I will post my results.

 

[skicat]

Re: hot hub and wheel

When I got to the lake, three wheels were very cool and one was now only slightly hot. I jacked it up and found that it turned quite easily with no noise of a brake hanging. I gave it a squirt of grease. After the return trip I felt the wheel again and now it was only warm. I am thinking maybe I need to back the nut off a little. What do you all think?

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: hot hub and wheel

Could be your mechanic might have missed that wheel, or didn't put enough grease in it, he should have caught the bad seal in the other wheel, get a can of Brake Clean and clean all the grease-brake fluid from the first wheel that got hot, if it's brake fluid you have a blown wheel cylinder, you will need to put a kit in it or replace the wheel cylinder, or you will end up with no brakes on the trailer, if it was lack of grease clean the bearings and hub real good and check the bearing and race for scoring or discoloration, if it is replace the complete bearing, hate to say it but it sounds like you need to change mechanics, dosn't sound like he did a very good job on it. (just my opinion)