Trailer wheel bearings.

[VaSteve]

On the way to VIR, the bearing of my tire trailer started squealing. I had recently replaced the wheel and torqued the lugs. I stopped for gas and the side where I had replaced the wheel was very hot. I had driven about 20 miles. I backed the lugs off a half turn or so and kept driving till I could get an auto parts store and get another bearing.

I felt it again and it was the same as the other side so I never worried about swapping it. It was fine all the way to VIR and back.

Today I swapped the bearing. The axle is a stub with two roller bearings in the hub. A castellated nut hold the hub and bearings on. It wasn't very tight. The design is similar to the front of a 911/944.

I can't figure why backing the lugs off a bit improved the situation. It shouldn't have anything to do with the bearings. Anyone have a guess?

[tdatk]

Don't know why that would help but some flaps carry the whole hub, less the spindle for ~40 bucks. Don't ask me how I know....

[Vicegrip]

Dono hard to tell without seeing the setup. Could the wheel distort the carrer?

[VaSteve]

Dono hard to tell without seeing the setup. Could the wheel distort the carrer?


Yikes.... Don't know. The carrier distorted my ankle when I knocked it off the axle. :grrr: The manual calls for higher torque on the lugs than I put on there (even before I loosened it). Trailer stays in the garage when not being used...been there since July. Bearing had some rust and water intrusion when I addressed it. Water could be from the drive back (got some rain). Maybe it was just "time".


Here's a shot of the current manual. Part #35 doesn't exist on mine. It's two bearings of the same type on either side of the carrier.
37568

[Trak Ratt]

I'm w/VG on distorted hub. Prolly from not tightening wheels bolts in cross pattern. BTW did you swap the bearings w/ the trailer upside down? The diagram shows it being done that way. How old is your HF trailer? When was the last time you serviced the bearings?

[roundel]

No grease fitting on yours?!?! I know I greased my boat trailer bearings about every use, but then again it was dunked into brackish water every use. Twice.

[VaSteve]

I did the work right side up. The car tires were still on it!

I have had the trailer about 5 years. No idea how long Bob had it before me. I have inspected he bearings before but not replaced them. And it wasn't any time recently. Lesson learned.

There's no grease fitting on the inside like in the diagram. There is a grease fitting on the outside cap, but I have never done it that way. I just packed them like I would the front of the car. Everything is nice and clean now. :)