Well I'm trying to replace the hubs on my trailer right now. So I have been through this thread a few times while I try to learn how all this works. I have also read the two links that were posted. But I'm a visual learner so I usually go to Youtube to see the how to videos and actually found a video of the same e-trailer link posted before. I thought this might help anyone trying to start from scratch on this stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGDb83odXhU

Thanks a bunch for the link Holsterguy.

Bearing and Race removal and Replacement

Greasing Trailer Bearings

Bearing Buddy II with auto indicator hub cover

You guys make me nervous! I don't even want to go any where very far for fear that my wheel and tire are going to go flying past me. lol

On the way back from the lake today (90 miles), I lost a bearing buddy and apparently slung most of the grease out because about 10 miles from home, the bearings on that side started smoking heavily. I limped home, the bearing is still in there, but it is fried. I am too tired to go mess with it tonight, but what do you guys think the odds are that the hub can be salvaged and I can just replace races and bearings? Anything in particular to look for on the hub to know if it need replacing as well?

How do you get the axle off once the wheel is off? I have bearing buddies, but i want to inspect the bearings. Shouldn't the axle just popped off with a rubber mallet? Or am i missing something?

should I hand pack my own bearings?
Just kidding I have read this entire post from first to last
I actually enjoy packing bearings I guess it's kind of therpy
my dad taught me when I was a teenager at the time I though he was punishing me grease all over the place and it took so long (10 minutes) This thread was so entertaining even though I know how to do this. Thank you guys for all those that don't know how
I am a member of several forums and so many others would have blown a gasket (no pun intended) when someone chimes in and asks a question that has been beaten to death on other threads or even previously in the current thread. how many times was it mentioned to add grease to bearing buddies each trip and yet noone got crappy with anyone else. all contributors should pat yourselves on the back for this one. You probably save more new boaters like myself lots of cash on replacing bearings and seals. the bad thing is now I realise I need to replace mine! Thanks again to all contributors I really enjoyed this thread!!

Great thread. On my boat, I run bearing buddies. I removed, clean, repack and reseal my bearings once a year. I pump up my bearing buddies every 4-5 trips to the lake, or when needed. Rarely do I put much into them tho. Good seals are the key so the grease doesn't just get pushed out the rear of the hub. Every time I stop on longer towing trips, it a habit of mine to grab both hubs right up close to the wheel and feel how hot it is. If you can't hold on to it, it's too hot! Actually, it should be just warm to the touch if all is well.

On my other trailers, since thy don't get dunked in the water, I repack them every 2 years or so, and keep the bearing buddies full when they need it.

We had one hub go bad on us many years ago and it ruined a whole vacation cause we were stuck without a way to fix it 'til we could find the parts (3days later when the parts houses opened back up in the area). This was before there was a tractor supply in every town. We didn't notice it til the grease was literally ON FIRE! It ruined the axle and all. Since then, I am very particular about my bearing maintenance. Even those on the front end of my trucks. Same principle on most trucks. Same headache if it goes bad. Only it can have much more catastrophic effects, depending on when it chooses to let go.

I also have the cool bearing system, I looked at the cover of one of my tires and it is loose to where the other ones won't move. Does not look like it has leaked any oil. I drove it about 80 miles and nothing changed, no oil leak but the cap that you look thru to see the oil is loose. I know nothing about this system.

I have the oil bath hubs. Man I am glad I do not have to mess with the changing of bearings. I have not had a single problem with oil bath hubs. Very informative stuff here though. I still have a trailer with bearing buddies. I just grease em about once every 2-3 months.

I have a TI tandem axle trailer that I have been having hub & bearing problems with, (only on one hub) the Right Front. The trailer is 10 years old and I have had to replace the hub and bearings 3 times, I grease the bearing before any long trip or about every 2-3 trips to the lake. Any ideas as to the problem with this one hub or axle????

Wyatt

Is the hub losing grease vs. the other hubs? Always keep the inside of the wheel clean. That way you can just look at the inside of the wheel,from the other side of the trailer,to determine if the inside seal is leaking. The grease will be thrown on the inside of the hub in a spider web pattern. Check it out. Hope this helps.

Might have a slighlty bent spindle

i work onboats and we tell our customers to grease them 5 times a year.dont need to take aprt or anything just wipe old grease out so u can see the new grease ooze out.3or 4 good solid pumps should do it happy fishing

usually under most conditions u can replace bearings races and rear seal.hard to mess up a hub in most cases

some are threaded but u should be able to pry off with as mallot and a chisle or flat blade screwdriver

I have an older boat and trailer, it is a 1985 and I have had it for about 6 or 7 years, I have replaced the bearings and the bearing buddys, but one side I can't get to seal, I have put several bearing seals on it but no luck, I felt of the axel and it was rough so I sanded it and it still leaks, everywhere I pull the boat I drive about 30 miles and put in some more greese, is there something I can do besides get another axel???

just bought my first boat 2 months ago, took the bra covers off the hub and on 1 side there was some black grease in tact covering 2/3 hub and on the other side there was some black runny grease( half liquid/half solid).

Is it normal to have grease on the outside of the hub??? I believe there are BBs installed. Lake is only a 15 min drive from my house. Its 6 mins driving 50-55 mph and 6 mins driving 40-45 mph then 3 mins drinving 30mph.

after reading all of this thread i will start waiting 15-20 mins before I launch my boat.

look at this pic, where the grease gun goes in, is where all the grease was. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...5003000_175-3-0

I'm currently having an issue with grease coming out of the hub. I think I may have problem. Where can I take my rig to have inspection and repairs if needed.

Thanks,
Ron

If grease is coming from the rear of the hub, your seals are probably ruptured. You can replace the hub easily (or replace the seal). Any trailer manufacturer can replace your hubs. If the grease is coming from the front of the hub,that's a different story. That depends on whether you have Bearing Buddies or not.

I don't think I check and repack nearly as often as I should or some others think we should, maybe been 5 years now, but the best advice I can give is always carry a complete set of spare bearings and seals and tools with you to change on the road if ever needed. You don't want to find yourself on the road miles from nowhere on a Sunday looking for parts or tools. Done that, been there, and ended up making a seal with duct tape to get home once. I also received a call on the radio (pre cell phones) one time from my wife in another car following me saying she saw a bearing buddy come off and go rolling down the road, possibly from over greasing.

More advice from experience:

Take the lug nuts off once a year and spray the lugs with green CorrossionX. Nothing worse than needing to get a wheel off when you can't get the lug nuts off, for bearing problems or a flat.

Inspect and repack your bearings at home in the driveway where you can take your time if its the first time, on a day that Husky Trailer (if in Houston) is open to get new parts. I've also seen seals and bearings at Academy. Keep track of the tools and parts you use and put the complete set in a Rubbermaid container for the road, including a small grease gun. I transfer the Rubbermaid container from the bow of the boat to the tow vehicle and back every trip.

What are the best grease/oil seals?

Do you still have the crome wheels?