Thoughts? Trailer bearings…. UPDATED WITH PICS

Jeffncs

Jeffncs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Location
Wake Forest
Passenger side bearings are showing signs of overheating (blue heat spots on bearing). I haven’t loooked at the driver side yet.

If driver side are not showing signs of damage, should I replace them or just repack and run them? I assume logic is to replace all and keep the best set as backup.

Thanks.
 
Jeffncs said:
Passenger side bearings are showing signs of overheating (blue heat spots on bearing). I haven’t loooked at the driver side yet.

If driver side are not showing signs of damage, should I replace them or just repack and run them? I assume logic is to replace all and keep the best set as backup.

Thanks.
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If they look good and aren't Chinese bearings, I say pack and run them. I would be prepared with new ones before I went in though. That is, unless I could let it sit a couple days until the new ones showed up.
 
justjeepin86 said:
If they look good and aren't Chinese bearings, I say pack and run them. I would be prepared with new ones before I went in though. That is, unless I could let it sit a couple days until the new ones showed up.
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I know for fact they’re Chinese bearings. I bought seals, bearings and races to do all 4 going into it.

Aside from packing with my bearing grease packing tool, should I shoot a squirt or 2 of grease into the zero after they’re packed and hub reassembled?
 
Jeffncs said:
I know for fact they’re Chinese bearings. I bought seals, bearings and races to do all 4 going into it.

Aside from packing with my bearing grease packing tool, should I shoot a squirt or 2 of grease into the zero after they’re packed and hub reassembled?
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Fill the cavity between the bearings.
 
Kinda related. But this is a killer idea for tool box on trailer for repairs. Pack them and vacuum seal em
 

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Replace and spares. Failure loaded and on the side ditch sucks.

Edit. On another note I regularly repair more passenger side trailer components then anything else. The curb side catches everything.
 
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So I’ll be replacing all 4 sets tonight if weather holds. I’m going to see if I can save any of the drivers side bearing as backups in case of breakdown.

Also - is consensus to FILL to interstitial space between the bearings? I’ve read conflicting opinions online (some say overfilling with grease generates more heat; others say to load it). Thoughts? I have always added some grease into the hub but never filled the void. Internet info is mixed and I don’t know if it’s a legit, fact-based answer or rumor/guesswork.
 
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Nah, don't fill it ALL the way up. Certainly add some in between the two bearings though. Think about it as if it were filled with oil. You wouldn't want it more than half full.
 
we fill the cavity at the plant on the tack tank trailers, motor grader and 3000 force feed loaders front hubs. When we had new people, and they did not fill it we had a bunch or warranty claims for hubs and bearings. I am not saying over fill, there must be room for expansion or the seal will push out.
 
skyhighZJ said:
^^ this and the trailer grabbing the rough edge or dropping off on these narrow NC roads beats that side up way more than the drivers side.
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The other theory. We see it in large apparatus spring packs regularly. The passenger side breaks down and the trucks lean severely. Why? The middle is normally higher and the outter lane carries more slope. The crown carries water away or we'd be driving in puddles everywhere. This lean transfers more consistent heavier loads to the curb side....


Also loading those wheel bearing more😉.
 
The “Karen’s” (HOA) finally sent me an email warning to move the trailer.

Decided to knock out the passenger side - bearings are toast! Nasty grease and obvious signs of overheating. I’ll do the drivers side tomorrow. I think the axle nuts were possibly too tight or they didn’t get enough grease from factory.

Due to rushing a little tonight, I may pop the cap and pull the cotter to make sure I have the torque about right.

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