Stuck Rear Bearing Seal

[Skyrydr]

Total noob here. I have to tow my 2006 Rinker 226 Captiva from California to Florida in July, so I decided to try and repack the bearings on my boat trailer myself so that I would know how to do it if I had a bearing failure during the trip. I have never done this before, so it's a learning experience.

I managed to get the bearing hub off and remove the front bearing easily. I also got the back bearing out, but it actually broke through the rear seal. We banged on it from the front using a metal pipe, but in doing so, the rear bearing turned sideways and broke through the rear seal. Now I have both bearings out, but the rear seal is still stuck in place and bent.

I have tried a pry bar, tapping on it with a screwdriver and hammer, and I just cannot get the rear seal to budge at all. Any suggestions?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stuck Rear Bearing Seal

Total noob here. I have to tow my 2006 Rinker 226 Captiva from California to Florida in July, so I decided to try and repack the bearings on my boat trailer myself so that I would know how to do it if I had a bearing failure during the trip. I have never done this before, so it's a learning experience.

I managed to get the bearing hub off and remove the front bearing easily. I also got the back bearing out, but it actually broke through the rear seal. We banged on it from the front using a metal pipe, but in doing so, the rear bearing turned sideways and broke through the rear seal. Now I have both bearings out, but the rear seal is still stuck in place and bent.

I have tried a pry bar, tapping on it with a screwdriver and hammer, and I just cannot get the rear seal to budge at all. Any suggestions?

Ayuh,.... Reach through the hub with a bar, 'n beat it out with a hammer,...

 

[Alan Lloys]

Re: Stuck Rear Bearing Seal

If the improvised methods do not work you should get the proper tool for it.
There is a special tool call a seal puller that is made for this purpose. I just have a cheap HF one which works fine for me.
It is a lot easier with the tool than prying the seals out with screw drivers etc. They are usually less than $ 10.

BTW remember that the rear seal is a consumable item. You should not put a seal back in the hub even if you are able to get it out in one piece. It is a press fit so a new seal is required every time you service the hub.

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: Stuck Rear Bearing Seal

We banged on it from the front using a metal pipe, but in doing so, the rear bearing turned sideways and broke through the rear seal.

If you were beating on the front of the bearing with a pipe or any other tool THROW THE BEARING AWAY. Beating the bearing like that will most always bend the cage and the rollers will bind and you will have bearing failure. I would remove the hubs and take them to a qualified mechanic to have new races installed. Why new races you ask? Never ever use new bearings with old races. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Stuck Rear Bearing Seal

If I may make a suggestion - Buy two replacement hubs which are complete with bearings and seals. If you can't get a bearing seal out working in your driveway, how do you think it's going to go on the side of a highway with semis whizzing by mere feet from you? Just being honest with you, don't take offense.

EDIT - Put the two spares in the boat for emergency use after following T_Herrod's advice.

 

[bspeth]

Re: Stuck Rear Bearing Seal

Get a punch and beat it into the edge of the seal.Just destroy the seal you are not reusing it.Then pry it out,its easier than you think.Put the new races in yourself,you just beat them in with a brass punch.Measure the amount of hub showing outside the race so you can check that they are fully seated. Bout 3 pumps of grease in between the races and smear it around with your fingers.Pack the rear bearing and install it,then use a 2x4 layed flat on top of the seal to drive it in with a hammer.Then do the outside bearing same way.Put the axle nut on tight enough to set the bearings in their races (a LITTLE more than hand tight)then back off and tighten finger tight.Cotter pin,little more grease,tap in the dust cap and you are done.Do this yourself,once you have done it you will realize how truly easy it is.

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: Stuck Rear Bearing Seal

This should help you out.

Pt.1 Boat Trailer Bearing Service At D-Ray's Shop - YouTube

 

[ctswf]

Re: Stuck Rear Bearing Seal

at $20 per set including races and seal i would always replace the bearings if i remove them...but maybe larger trailers arent as cheap im not sure

i would look in to sea tows roadside trailer service, i dont know if they come to the desert but i recall they service broken down trailers...i think