Question for the Trailer Bearing Experts

For the first time ever, I put in new bearings, races and seals in the trailer hubs myself. Everything seemed to go okay, although the races were hard to insert. The hub nut went only on hand-tight and fresh grease is coming out the front bearing when I inject grease through the axle nipple, so I believe the bearings are greased sufficiently. Afterwards, when I drove from Lexington to Herrington Lake the hubs felt warm (not hot). Is this normal?

BTW: Caught no fish at Herrington in Rocky Fork and Cane Run last night.

[QUOTE=12VoltMan;520335]For the first time ever, I put in new bearings, races and seals in the trailer hubs myself. Everything seemed to go okay, although the races were hard to insert. The hub nut went only on hand-tight and fresh grease is coming out the front bearing when I inject grease through the axle nipple, so I believe the bearings are greased sufficiently. Afterwards, when I drove from Lexington to Herrington Lake the hubs felt warm (not hot). Is this normal?

BTW: Caught no fish at Herrington in Rocky Fork and Cane Run last night.[/QUOTE]

Castle nut might be too tight............I don't think they should feel warm at all.

Also, MAKE sure the tire pressure is right. Too low will also heat them up.

Later,

Geo

If your trailer has brakes, that will make your hub warm. If your pulling a boat in hot weather like today, that will also heat your hub up.

Did I miss the part where you hand packed the bearings? I would do that even if I had the ez lube just to ensure they were fully coated.

I concur on the nut. There should be just a little play in the hub.

[QUOTE=Colbyt;520374]Did I miss the part where you hand packed the bearings? I would do that even if I had the ez lube just to ensure they were fully coated.

I concur on the nut. There should be just a little play in the hub.[/QUOTE]races are supposed to be tight. freeze them first. and you need to be SURE they are completely seated in the bore or it will not be pretty later. also, purposely tighten them too tight at first and spin it. then back it off and set the preload. this makes sure everything is seated and where it needs to be.

I notice the bearing that faces the sun side while towing is warmer than the shade side. As stated before hot weather will cause a little heat (not hot). I usually take a board across the races to drive them level then take the old race to seat it tight. I have alway tightened the nut snug tight to seat bearings and make sure the grease go through the hub components well then back it off a little.