How do you check Trailer Barrings/Axle?

[Magnum61]

I just bought a boat with a Magnum single axle trailer. Where would I start to check this to make sure I'm not going to have it break down in any way.

-MB

[warlo527]

The easy way would be to jack up the wheel and give it a spin. It should spin freely and there should be no grinding noise. Then grab it and see if there is any movement. It should be tight with no play or wiggle. Those are the bare minimums I do before a long trip.

If it was my new purchase..i would take everything apart and repack the bearings with grease, inspect everything, and keep them greased.

[Fishalot]

Your ears will not always tell you what you need to know. Pop of the bearing caps or bearing buddies and check the grease out. make sure water has not sat in there and pitted the bearings. Like stated above, tear it down and if all is good, repack and put back together.


Fishalot

[DirectDrive]

Disassemble, clean, inspect, repack, new seals, reassemble.
That's the only way to be sure on a newly acquired, used trailer.

[MustangDriver]

Originally Posted by DirectDrive

Disassemble, clean, inspect, repack, new seals, reassemble.
That's the only way to be sure on a newly acquired, used trailer.

+1

Not hard to do and pretty cheap.

[BerettaMan]

Originally Posted by DirectDrive

Disassemble, clean, inspect, repack, new seals, reassemble.
That's the only way to be sure on a newly acquired, used trailer.

+2 Should be done once a year

[honker1]

This may not be to scientific, but I carry a infrared temperature sensor and shoot the hubs whenever I stop. Temperature around 111 degrees and I am comfortable
Also when I grease the bearings, the grease goes to the back bearing first and then feeds to the outside bearing. About every third trip, or before a long hull, I use a plastic knife and remove the grease behind the rubber dust cover. Then shoot more grease to the bearings until it comes to the front and fills the void I dug.

[SXS]

[QUOTE make sure -MB[/QUOTE]
The way to "make sure" is to tear it down, clean and inspect the bearings and races. Replace parts, if necessary, then give it a regular service. Since you don't know what the previous ownder did, you need to get everything good at the start.
I know. I froze-up a bearing in the Wilson River highway and had to drag the trailer a ways before I could get off the road. Not only cost me for a tow, new bearings, and a new tire (Ground flat on one side) but it ruined a nice day.

[the flyman]

I agree with SXS, Tear it down to scratch, you'll know what you have and how to do it.. Doing it right the first time will save a good days fishing, and your mind will be on FISH, not bearings!

[chummer]

When i bought my boat, I immediately pulled the bearings and drum to inspect the brakes. They were completely rusted away so I replaced everything with a new backing plate & brake assembly. I also replaced the bearings, races & seals even though they looked to be in good shape. I cleaned up the old ones, put them in a baggy and keep them in the boat for back-ups that I hope i'll never need.

[Lou]

Lots of good advise, here.
Learn to pack bearings. Not difficult. They just sit against
the races and run in grease.

[Fishnchips]

All great advice here.

It's a lot more fun to deal with the bearings now in your driveway than it is to deal with them later on the shoulder of the highway...

I am a strong advocate of bearing buddies! If you don't have them, please, get some!

[newbergfishjunkie]

I agree with fishalot. It's just way too easy to change them. I typically repack mine yearly and change them every other year. Remember that that small wheel is turning 2,3, or even 4 times around for every time your truck tire turns once.I also use bearing buddies. Maybe alittle over cautious but I've lost a wheel once going down the freeway.

[Poindexter]

I lost a wheel going down the freeway about six years ago. Ever since, I take my boats in every spring and have the bearings re-packed.

[FearNoEvil]

Originally Posted by Poindexter

I lost a wheel going down the freeway about six years ago. Ever since, I take my boats in every spring and have the bearings re-packed.

i repack mine every summer, and change them out every other year, or so depending on use...

i have never had one go out, but i wanna keep it that way..

i'll also give the bearings 4-5 pumps of grease before every long trip..

[Califbill]

http://www.championtrailers.com/tech...l#articleindex

Has some great how to articles. Including packing bearings.