2004 wheel bearings !!

RODACTION · 04-14-2005, 05:23 PM

I took delivery of my 2004 NorthRiver in May of 2004....I always service my bearings yearly. I have owned 13 boats in my life and only had this happen once before. My wheel bearings were junk !! Water or salt water leached in and scored them. So as you may of seen a fellow Ifisher lost a spindle last Saturday, I just wanted to give this as a heads up. The shop said that the stock bearings were cheap ones and replaced them with a more quality type. This is by no means to be a bad comment about NorthRiver or their choice of trailer brands. Just wanted to say you may want to have your bearings checked ! Ken

Pete · 04-14-2005, 05:42 PM

If you don't take good care of your bearings ... this could happen to you, too!

SouthCoastStu · 04-14-2005, 07:31 PM

Good advice! I had one head south on me (Rogue Trailer) about 1 1/2 years after I got it (new). One thing I learned was after putting new bearings in (besides getting good quality) was to check them and reset if necessary after a couple hundred miles. Also, don't over grease!

1pump · 04-14-2005, 07:57 PM

I've owned three different boat trailers since they were new. Every one had bearing and/or seal problems from the get go. IMHO, the problem wasn't the O.E. bearings, but cheap seals and crappy grease. Virtually all roller bearings are created equal. The import ones are just as good as the US made ones. But if you can't keep the water out and the grease in, they're toast.

swampy · 04-14-2005, 08:38 PM

Dang , Pete !!! What an ugly sight !!! Why does that look familiar ?! Check your bearings , ya'll. swampy

Streetwalker · 04-14-2005, 08:53 PM

I have learned the hard way that its all about the seals. I have also learned the hard way that certain large tire store chains ( except for the one in Tillamook ) dont put marine grade seals on. I now replace the works yearly, need it or not.

RODACTION · 04-15-2005, 10:44 AM

Wow Pete! That no lookie so good, hope she gets put back together. Hi, Swampy....KB

Pete · 04-15-2005, 11:18 AM

Well, dropping the wheel off the flatbed wasn't good, but it didn't do any obvious damage. Report from the shop is that the spindles and axel are good, so the repair won't be as painful as it could have been. No new Avet reels for me this season. :depressed: