Boat trailer bearings

[jackhammer]

The bearings (hub) on my trailer feel very warm to me, almost hot. I repacked them 6 months ago and have been on several trips 100 miles or so. Does the sun and heat from the road heat them up? I'm a little concerned because I'm going to ky lake the 23rd and it's 235 miles.

[brucehampton]

If your hub has a grease fitting you should inject grease until your tension
spring moves a little (1/2 inch or so). I assume most hubs have grease
fittings.

[peter]

I replaced my bearings this spring. Afterwards 0ne would become too hot to touch for more than 2-3 seconds after driving 50 miles or so. I asked around and was told that was too hot. I loosened the castle nut one notch and it no longer ran hot. Exactly how tight the castle nut is supposed to be I don't know. Maybe jacked up the wheel should spin freely?

I have checked mine in mid summer and when they are right they are not hot to the touch (I could grab it and hold on to it for as long as I wanted).

[lilmule]

It would also pay to stop every now an then to check,say at rest areas.
Your timing should be about right for a decent fishing trip,current lake temp is 71f,dropping some each week.
Pool is at 355 so stay in the channel when on plane.
Patterns main lake pea gravel points at bay mouths,backs of bays,flats next to deep water all schooling action,if not around activity find it,that is the key for success.Ive been tossing nothing but topwater for last two weeks,again activity lack thereof and you get but a few bites.
Even white bass,yellow perch,shellcrackers and bluegill are in on the act,and largemouth are targeting 5-6 in shad.
Warm days slowed that but by then should be full swing.
Enjoy your trip

[jackhammer]

I replaced my bearings this spring. Afterwards 0ne would become too hot to touch for more than 2-3 seconds after driving 50 miles or so. I asked around and was told that was too hot. I loosened the castle nut one notch and it no longer ran hot. Exactly how tight the castle nut is supposed to be I don't know. Maybe jacked up the wheel should spin freely?

I have checked mine in mid summer and when they are right they are not hot to the touch (I could grab it and hold on to it for as long as I wanted).

Peter, the hub is nowhere near the temp that you can't hold on to them. They are just very warm. I tend to be over cautious when it comes to bearings on a trailer anyway. I did remove the castle nut and tightened it back up until there was no play in the bearings. I know I don't have it too tight. Maybe that's just the way they heat up on my paticuliar trailer.

[MagikSmallie]

Yeah if its hot or even warmer to the touch then you either need grease or the castle nut as peter said is too tight. The wheel should spin fairly freely when jacked up but make sure you have grease in the bearings via the grease fitting or you can burn em up and be stuck on the shoulder of the highway.

[projectbass]

I think your supposed to repack a couple times a year, I would repack just to be on the safe side traveling that long of a distance...hot to the touch is not good

[artcarney_agr]

I replaced my bearings this spring. Afterwards 0ne would become too hot to touch for more than 2-3 seconds after driving 50 miles or so. I asked around and was told that was too hot. I loosened the castle nut one notch and it no longer ran hot. Exactly how tight the castle nut is supposed to be I don't know. Maybe jacked up the wheel should spin freely?

Castle nut should only be finger tight.

When I put the hub and bearings back on the spindle after servicing them, I tighten the castle nut down snug with a wrench, then back it off to finger loose, then tighten it back with my fingers. If it is too tight, the hub will get hot, which is not good at all.

As for repacking, once a year is pretty conservative. Usually every two years or even more is adequate if you're maintaining good grease in there or have bearing buddies. I highly recommend bearing buddies, because they allow you to maintain a check on the seals and grease level with just a quick glance. If something if failing, the bearing buddies will let you know.

You should be able to place the back of your hand on the hubs and be able to leave it there as long as you want.

[coombro]

I agree with Art yet I go a little more than finger tight. Spin freely and no wobble when jacked up. I pack and inspect mine every spring regardless of the amount of trips I make. Check bearings for rust, pits and don't forget to inspect the racer. Also look for discoloration caused from heat. You should be able as Peter said to hold onto them as long as you like regardless of how far you have driven. Hot now could be frozen later. I would do a complete redo and if any sign of damage to bearing or races replace. Hot now could be locked up later. Hate to see boats sitting on the side of the road just waiting to be picked clean.

[peter]

Castle nut should only be finger tight.

When I put the hub and bearings back on the spindle after servicing them, I tighten the castle nut down snug with a wrench, then back it off to finger loose, then tighten it back with my fingers. If it is too tight, the hub will get hot, which is not good at all.

As for repacking, once a year is pretty conservative. Usually every two years or even more is adequate if you're maintaining good grease in there or have bearing buddies. I highly recommend bearing buddies, because they allow you to maintain a check on the seals and grease level with just a quick glance. If something if failing, the bearing buddies will let you know.

You should be able to place the back of your hand on the hubs and be able to leave it there as long as you want.

Good description of how to tighten. Never done that but makes sense and will do it that way next time. Tightening snug with a wrench first would set every thing up. Thanks.

[roadrunner]

I agree with Art yet I go a little more than finger tight. Spin freely and no wobble when jacked up. I pack and inspect mine every spring regardless of the amount of trips I make. Check bearings for rust, pits and don't forget to inspect the racer. Also look for discoloration caused from heat. You should be able as Peter said to hold onto them as long as you like regardless of how far you have driven. Hot now could be frozen later. I would do a complete redo and if any sign of damage to bearing or races replace. Hot now could be locked up later. Hate to see boats sitting on the side of the road just waiting to be picked clean.

I agree I like to check and repack bearings every spring before first trip should be good for the year.

[crappiepappy]

Check this out : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsCH1d6R7J0

... pappy