Still learning the ropes. Trailer wheel "wobble" question

[jayhamm34]

So, I just bought a boat about a month ago. It is turning into a project boat, that's for sure. I noticed right off the bat, that the driver's (car) side wheel wobbles as I am going down the road. Before you ask, I checked the lug nuts and they are torqued properly. How would I check to determine what part to replace, bearing, hub, or axle or all three? Thanks

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Still learning the ropes. Trailer wheel "wobble" question

So, I just bought a boat about a month ago. It is turning into a project boat, that's for sure. I noticed right off the bat, that the driver's (car) side wheel wobbles as I am going down the road. Before you ask, I checked the lug nuts and they are torqued properly. How would I check to determine what part to replace, bearing, hub, or axle or all three? Thanks

Jack up the trailer (use a jack stand while it's jacked up), wiggle the tire, and spin it by hand. The wobble is most likely from a bent rim, bent hub, or really loose wheel bearings. Replace the rim or hub if needed, and/or clean, inspect, re-pack, re-seal, and re-install ALL wheel bearings (both wheels). All the wheel bearings on the trailer should be serviced as part of regular maintenance, especially if you find your wobbly wheel is the result of a loose bearing.

 

[jayhamm34]

Re: Still learning the ropes. Trailer wheel "wobble" question

Thanks, that sounds like good advice. Any idea on how to tell if the rim is bent, my calibrated eye is not so calibrated.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: Still learning the ropes. Trailer wheel "wobble" question

put it on at a different spot on the trailer and spin it. If it wobbles you have a bent rim.

That doesn't mean that the hub and axle you removed the rim from is straight so check them as well.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Still learning the ropes. Trailer wheel "wobble" question

Jack up that side of the trailer and then place a a pencil on a block of wood next to the wheel so the point of the pencil is about 1/8 of an inch away from the out edge of the rim (not the tire). Spin the wheel. Watch the gap. If it changes the wheel is bent. To prove it with a little more work. Move the other wheel to the wobbly side. If that wheel doesn't wobble -- I guess you proved that the wheel is bent and it is not hub or bearing. If your eye is not calibrated, how can you tell the wheel is wobbling?