Trailer Bearings

[Luke512]

Fished a tourney on Lake Cumberland this past Saturday night, it was a all nighter (8a-8p). I live in Paris, about 2 hours from Cumberland. So I was tired from the all night tourney, and headed back home. Then I noticed one of the wheels on my trailer wobbling like crazy as I was driving. Knew it was the bearings going out. Only problem is I was nowhere near being home yet, had no tools, and have never changed the bearings/races/seals before. I tried to go slow and limp it home, but it got to wobbling so badly the bearing buddy popped off and I could hear grinding. I knew I could go no further or the wheel was going to come off, so I limped it over into a parking lot and was stuck, didn't know what to do. It was Sunday morning and I doubted if find anyone to help me or any repair shops open, googled repair shops in my phone, and after about 30 minutes of trying to find one, I got the guy at TJ's Marine to answer. He said he wasn't open today, but just happened to be at the shop. He came out to where I was broke down and changed bearings for me, but didnt have all the tools and bearings and seals and etc.. that he needed so he had towel several trips from where I was broken down to his shop and back. Took him about 3 hours total, but I was so thankful for him. Finally made it home after fishing a 12 hour tourney and being broken down for 4 hours. When I got home I'd been up for 28 hours. So.... My question is - that was a nightmare of a trip.... And I don't want it happening again. Even after watching him change them, I still dont know if I could do it myself if I had to, and don't think I have all the tools. But I want to avoid that again at all costs. My question is, does anyone know of anyone in the Paris/Lexington area that would take my wheels off and inspect the bearings/races/seals on the other side (the one that didnt go bad the other day) for a decent price? (I'm short on money after paying the guy to come out to where I was the other day, it wasn't cheap). But im just worried that since one side went out, the other could soon also. I just bought the boat back in February, it's a 2004 Triton TR186. Or if someone knows anyone who would be willing to take the time to slowly take mine apart and explain step by step what I'd need to do to fix it if it were to happen again (or let me watch you when you do yours?). Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated. It was just a horrible trip, and they are good and working now, I'm just so paranoid about it happening again that I am second guessing taking another trip, because i dont want to be stuck on the side of the road again, amd dont really have the money to pay to go through that again. although after he fixed the side that went bad, the trailer drove fine all the way home.

[CTFSHWHISKER]

Mine did the same thing sunday morning.only thing i did not have warning,wobbling or vibbrating the wheel hub assembly just came off on wk parkway.my wheel assembly went over a mile down the road before rolling in a field.mine was lack of maintenance or just not checking.anyway go to tsc
and you can buy a hub kit.it is all sealed up and you can just keep it in the boat.big hammer.prybar.jack big punch/chisel and pliers channel locks etc will get you going.and some good marine wheel bearing grease.oh towels and hand cleaner.they also make a nut kit with nut pin and washers.mine ruined the nut and boogered the threads but i got her back together to get home.
there are videos on youtube showing how.it is pretty easy barring any major spindle damge..best thing is to check periodically.look behind the wheel for signs of grease coming out of the seal.or jack it up and spin the wheel and check for looseness or grinding rough sounds but they can't be too tight.

[Catfish Bob]

Exactly why I didn't take my boat anywhere this season until I got new bearings. $90 at NAPA for seals, races, cap, everything but the grease. Use blue Marine grease.

Any mechanic shop that wants work would probably take on the job for $100 or less.

[Colbyt]

For people that do long hauls what CTFSHWHISKER said is the best action plan. Keeping a spare hub with bearings and the minimal amount of tools necessary to change it out is very cheap insurance. Prices vary a little bit. I can buy a new hub with bearings and races delivered to my door for less than $25. Changing is as simple as removing the cap, one cotter pin, one nut and sliding it off and the new one on.

Cleaning and repacking once per year is a standard marine trailer maintenance item. Any garage or service center can do the job as the process is the same for auto wheels and trailer wheels. Done yearly grease and new seals are the only real cost at about $12.

I would be willing to watch you do yours but I won't do it for you.

[MagikSmallie]

Make sure to keep fresh grease pumped into your bearing buddy. Every winter/early spring I take mine off and re-pack the bearings and inspect for chips or wear and replace if necessary. Bearings are a cheap replacement unless your on the side of the road. I am in the process of changing my hubs right now to these "no touch" Vortex hubs. They say no maintenance for 6 years or 100,000 miles. http://tiedowneng.com/avortex.html

I always keep tools ready for this, just in case, a jack, pliers, new seals and bearings, grease, pliers, and a wrench that will fit the bearing nut. watch a youtube video on how to do it, once you do it a time or two you'll see how easy it is. keeping a spare hub loaded up and ready to go is a quick easy fix if you ever have to have it.

[Buzzy]

Here is a link to youtube where Ky afield shows you how to pack bearings!

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

[Colbyt]

Here is a link to youtube where Ky afield shows you how to pack bearings!

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

An excellent video. I would not use gasoline to soak the parts. Use diesel or K-1. Those tend to be a bit safer. Taking the wheel off the hub also allows the hub to be soaked to remove all grease. A baby bottle brush works well to clean the interior of the hub.

[MSD]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Pre-G...its/701816.uts
Something like this is very handy to keep in the truck. Kinda like an insurance policy. You can shop around and find cheaper ones, but everything come in a handy storage box.

[GeoFisher]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Pre-G...its/701816.uts
Something like this is very handy to keep in the truck. Kinda like an insurance policy. You can shop around and find cheaper ones, but everything come in a handy storage box.

Man, WHAT a great idea........I'm gonna have to get one.......

[sweetwater]

Man, WHAT a great idea........I'm gonna have to get one.......

I agree, not as expensive as you'd think it would be either. Add one of these and you're in business. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Quick...h-All+Products

[Luke512]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Just don't want another trip like that, that was long, tiring, and horrible!

[Embrey]

find it on you tube or something. bearings are about the easiest maintenance thing you can do. the way you learn is tear it apart, so you have to figure it out .