Trailer Wheel Bearing

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Outer wheel bearing took a dump today. Wheel stayed on. Pulled over and was able to detach trailer, hit auto parts store, "road side mechanic" it and head home. Inspected axle. Looks good. Inspected inner race and bearing. Good. New outer bearing is good however the race was a little rough. Lightly sanded it down without compromising the fit and put it all back together with new grease and hardware. Only issue is now the wheel has a slight wobble of play. About 1/4 inch play even with the outer nut tightened down tight enough where it can spin smoothe and still hold together. Did they give me too small of an outer bearing? The race wasn't dinged up enough to cause 1/4 inch of play. If I tighten it anymore the wheel gets tight to spin.

[Smokinal]

C'mon cat! You know better than that. Take it all back apart, go spend the whole $14 on new inner and outer bearing and race sets with a new seal and do it right the first time.   sanded the race....

 

Of course I'm just bustin your chops but seriously go get all new bearing sets and a seal and you should be good to go.

[Way2slow]

If a race has any pits, marks or bluing from heat, it's 100% pure junk.  Since you have already pulled it home with your new bearing on that bad race, you get to do it all over again.  Get you another new outer bearing with a new race, and also a new inner bearing with a race and two new seals so when you knock the inner bearing out of the other wheel to clean and inspect it, you have a new seal to go back with if everything else looks good.  The reason for not using the inner, it's was contaminated with fine metal from the outer going bad, and will most likely fail before many trips.  It just does not cost that much more for the heartburn they can cause to go ahead and do it right the first time.

 

Again, NEVER!!!!!!! reuse a bearing or race that has any kind of markings other than a smooth, somewhat shinny surface.  Sometimes they will have somewhat of a textured look, if so, replace it. that's the metal starting to peel. 

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Got a new kit. :-)

Thanks guys!!!!

[Smokinal]

There ya go brother. Let us know how it comes out.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Glad you got the new kit. 

 

My original thought was that you may have left out the washer, which aren't always included (usually aren't) with the bearing kits. Just an idea.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Install was perfect. Very simple and smooth! :-)