Side to Side wheel movement

[DC20]

So cleaning my new to me boat and trailer, I tugged on one the wheels today at the top (aluminum tandem axle). It felt like I could move the top of the tire almost an eighth of an inch and making a clunk noise (all 4 did this). The previous owner had replaced all the hubs and even gave me a box full of the old parts. That movement seems excessive doesn't it? I wonder if he just didn't tighten the nut enough?

 

[90stingray]

Re: Side to Side wheel movement

You are going to have to jack up the wheels and get a good feel of where it's coming from. Could be the hub, suspension, or lug nuts. But there should be some play in the hubs... but not enough to feel while there is weight on them.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Side to Side wheel movement

I think its time for a thorough hub inspection just for your own piece of mind if nothing else.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Side to Side wheel movement

That's too much free-play. Jack up each wheel and with your hands at 6 and 12 o'clock, pivot (not rotate) the wheel in and out. While you should feel some play, it should be very minimal, almost imperceptable movement. No movement is too tight. 1/8 inch is way too much.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Side to Side wheel movement

Depending on how well you can judge an 1/8th of an inch, it may be fine.
A 1/16 of an inch is normal.
DO NOT "Just tighten the Nut!"

The correct procedure is to firmly finger tighten the Nut while spinning the wheel.
Then LOOSENING the nut to the first position that the nut locking mechanism (CotterPin, Tab, Etc.) will engage.
Pulling the wheel Top/Bottom, Left/Right should produce a slight "Click", or a very small Wobble.

No play at all is Bad!

The play will not be there when the trailer is in the ground because of the Taper in the Tapered Roller Bearings.
The bearings spread and remove the play. That is what they are designed to do.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Side to Side wheel movement

When the bearings spread you actually get more play. It wouldnt hurt to just go through them. So you ha e one less thing to worry about.

 

[DC20]

Re: Side to Side wheel movement

Thanks for the input everyone. The play that is on each wheel is with the trailer just sitting there with the boat on it, not jacked up.
I looks like I need to go through each one and repack the bearings and replace the rear seal at a minimum.