Wheel bearings on small trailer...

Yakfisher · March 17, 2009, 06:55:06 PM

I just bought a used jon boat and trailer that had been sitting for about two years..... I am sure I need to repack the bearings and grease the hubs or whatever....

This is a small homemade trailer that has a grey solid cap in the middle of the wheel.. what are the steps to doing this?? Take the whole wheel off? Thanks for the help....

Bassinkorea · March 18, 2009, 12:20:20 AM

Yakfisher, since this trailer is homemade, do you have any photos you can post to help us help you??

Yakfisher · March 18, 2009, 06:39:18 AM

thats the only picture I have that shows the wheels.. I can take a better one later if that wont work.... thanks for any help you can provide....

this is a little jon boat that I am going to fix up for small ponds and reservoirs....

Bassinkorea · March 18, 2009, 08:11:10 AM

That little boat should do the trick at catching a few hawgs this year!!

Looking at the photo it should be a simple job. Since you mentioned it has stood for 2 years, here's what I would do......

1. Jack each side up at a time and remove the wheel (to make it easier)
2. Gently remove the silver hub cap so as not to damage it.
3. Under the cap is a hub nut with a cotter pin through it. Straighten and remove this pin and nut.
4. The hub and outer bearing should now come off and the inner bearing should still be on the shaft.
5. Remove all the grease from the hub, shaft and bearings using degreasing agent (I used to use parafin years ago) and check the bearings for damage.
6. If the bearing look good, repack them with new grease (make sure to use the correct grease for wheel bearings that run at high temperature).
7. Refill the hub with the same grease.
8. Refit the bearings and hub back onto the shaft, and refit the nut.

This next part is probably the most tricky part of the job......

9. Tighten the nut only as much so that there is no play in the bearing (not too tight or too slack). To test for play, put the wheel back on, put one hand on the top of the tyre and one on the bottom and push and pull the wheel in opposite directions (in and out at same time)......hope that made sense, as I just confused myself

10. Once the nut is tightened correctly, refit the cotter pin and the silver hub cap.

.....next side!!

Another thing, does the silver hub cap have a grease nipple in the middle of it?? If it has then future maintainance will be easy. I like to add some grease before each long trip on the road. If it doesn't have grease nipples in the hub caps, you could easily get some fitted by drilling and tapping the center of the hub caps if you are confident or get an auto shop to do this for you.

bassinagain · March 18, 2009, 10:05:20 AM

Easy way to pack the bearing without getting too greasy is to put the bearing and some grease into a baggy, zip it closed and then squeeze all the grease into the bearings.

Heres the Dexter manual. It also gives a lot of info about adjusting brakes as well.
Dang it. Don't know what happened to the link but here it is

Yakfisher · March 18, 2009, 07:16:51 PM

thanks for the help... this is one of my many weekend projects to get this boat on the water soon...

Bassinkorea · March 19, 2009, 12:20:56 AM

Quote from: Yakfisher on March 18, 2009, 07:16:51 PM
thanks for the help... this is one of my many weekend projects to get this boat on the water soon...

Good luck with your projects, they sure are fun

Let us know how it goes and if you need any more help

paxpress · March 19, 2009, 06:18:48 AM

Check the bearings and races for pitting. If you find any, don't use them. If they are pitted, it would be easier (but a little more money) to replace the whole hub vs. replacing bearings and races. Just make sure if you do replace the hub you get one that comes with bearings. A good trailer dealer should be able to get what you need.