Post by: 92xj on March 22, 2022, 05:24:56 PM
Would you replace this based on the discoloration? This is clearly not heat related as heat coloration would be around the whole thing and different colors. The mark is located on the bottom side of the spindle and has to be from sitting the past 6 months with well used grease from all the towing last year. Though it looks like it, there are no grooves, divots or knicks and the area is as smooth as the non colored area. If you closed your eyes and felt this, you would not have any idea there was anything there.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51955940315_0bc6925b51_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51955414598_5e1c3788e6_b.jpg)
Post by: wadu1 on March 22, 2022, 05:46:06 PM
Post by: Mudman on March 22, 2022, 05:53:41 PM
Post by: 92xj on March 22, 2022, 05:55:31 PM
What do the spindles look like? Almost looks like water damage.
I would agree but nothing major I don't think.
The grease was still 95% red with the rest dark brown but not milky
Spindle looks them same.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51954404402_d91190855c_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51955694264_554a2d412d_b.jpg)
Post by: Special T on March 22, 2022, 06:04:03 PM
I've done the brakes, bearing repack so many times on my gooseneck I hate it. Those bearings and brakes are so clean and pretty. Absolutly reuse!
Post by: Alchase on March 22, 2022, 06:11:57 PM
Bearings are cheap, spindles not so much. If it was the low spot, it seems to make sense it could be water related somehow, though I haven ever seen grease do that.
Post by: Kc_Kracker on March 22, 2022, 06:15:54 PM
Post by: Bareback on March 22, 2022, 06:20:54 PM
Post by: Stein on March 22, 2022, 06:41:56 PM
Post by: 92xj on March 22, 2022, 06:53:45 PM
Thanks everyone. Bearing is repacked by hand and seal in place. Will slide on spindle tomorrow and then knock the 4th one out.
Post by: trophyhunt on March 22, 2022, 07:25:04 PM
Post by: 92xj on March 22, 2022, 07:41:43 PM
How often do you guys look at your trailer bearings? Our trailer is a 2019 and I’ve never looked at them.
Yearly. Mines also a 2019 and this is the third repacking I’ve done it had done. Decided this year to do it myself since warranty is now up. I also replaced the china bombs with some Goodyear endurance tires last week. Once the 4th wheel bearings are complete, I’ll be good to go for the year and will pull everything back apart next march and repack bearings or replace if needed.
From April to end of august I pull the TT every other weekend from 2-6 hours from home. Then September and October I’m all over the northwest dragging that thing around.
Now my hunting boat, that guy is abused and I haven’t looked at the bearings in 6 years :bash: I’m afraid of what I will find when I do, but plan to start that project this weekend as I know it’s going to be a few days of gathering parts and frustration towards myself for neglecting them.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on March 22, 2022, 08:31:45 PM
How often do you guys look at your trailer bearings? Our trailer is a 2019 and I’ve never looked at them.
I would take a look. I go 2 years max.
Post by: Alchase on March 22, 2022, 09:19:38 PM
How often do you guys look at your trailer bearings? Our trailer is a 2019 and I’ve never looked at them.
I was a out of sight out of mind kind of guy with my boat trailer, until one day I stopped to help a guy who had a 18 ft boat on a inexpensive base model trailer, and the spindle just let loose.
I asked him how old the trailer was. He said 2 1/2 years, no salt water! :yike:
I had had my boat and trailer for about a year at the time. I drove straight out and bought some Bearing Buddies. I gave them a squirt after every trip I was so paranoid. :chuckle:
Post by: KFhunter on March 22, 2022, 10:35:23 PM
I'd still replace though, if convenient to do so. If not convenient, clean up and use it.
Post by: wadu1 on March 22, 2022, 10:41:34 PM
How often do you guys look at your trailer bearings? Our trailer is a 2019 and I’ve never looked at them.We had an old single axel Kit 22', I repacked or replaced them every year.
That was until the wheel separated, the tire was still mounted, and all the lug nuts were intact with about 10" of the wheel still spinning when I got it stopped. NOT FUN
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 23, 2022, 05:58:03 AM
Post by: HntnFsh on March 23, 2022, 06:30:02 AM
If you have to do that every year your axle and or bearings are probably undersized.
It used to be almost every car and truck on the road had the same wheel bearings. I don't know anybody that repacked those every year.
To me that would be the same thing as changing the front hub bearing assemblies every year. They do the same thing. They still have seals to keep water and debris out.
If It's a concern, jack the axle up and spin the tire to see or hear any roughness. Wriggle from top to bottom and feel for play. Check to see if oil is getting by the seals. You'll know real quick what kind of shape your bearings are in.
Post by: HntnFsh on March 23, 2022, 06:33:19 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on March 23, 2022, 06:41:52 AM
I don't get the whole thing with replacing or repacking wheel bearings every year. Unless it's a boat trailer.I tend to agree with this, once a year seems to quick, not that it hurts it though. I’ve replaced two China bombs so far, had a blow out already and ruined a wheel and two tires. I’ve also added a tire pressure monitoring system that works really well, simple to install. It gives me piece of mind when I’m traveling down the road.
If you have to do that every year your axle and or bearings are probably undersized.
It used to be almost every car and truck on the road had the same wheel bearings. I don't know anybody that repacked those every year.
To me that would be the same thing as changing the front hub bearing assemblies every year. They do the same thing. They still have seals to keep water and debris out.
If It's a concern, jack the axle up and spin the tire to see or hear any roughness. Wriggle from top to bottom and feel for play. Check to see if oil is getting by the seals. You'll know real quick what kind of shape your bearings are in.
Post by: HntnFsh on March 23, 2022, 06:54:23 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on March 23, 2022, 06:59:15 AM
I've always made it habit to walk around and feel how hot my hubs are or hit them with an infrared thermometer when I stop for gas or whatever. You'll know pretty quick if one is running hot and needs looked at.I do the same thing, it's a quick and easy check.
Post by: birddogdad on March 23, 2022, 09:46:03 AM
I've always made it habit to walk around and feel how hot my hubs are or hit them with an infrared thermometer when I stop for gas or whatever. You'll know pretty quick if one is running hot and needs looked at.I do the same thing, it's a quick and easy check.
just holding your hand down there will tell you enough....
Post by: Woodchuck on March 23, 2022, 09:52:10 AM
Post by: Alchase on March 23, 2022, 01:37:32 PM
I don't get the whole thing with replacing or repacking wheel bearings every year. Unless it's a boat trailer.
If you have to do that every year your axle and or bearings are probably undersized.
It used to be almost every car and truck on the road had the same wheel bearings. I don't know anybody that repacked those every year.
To me that would be the same thing as changing the front hub bearing assemblies every year. They do the same thing. They still have seals to keep water and debris out.
If It's a concern, jack the axle up and spin the tire to see or hear any roughness. Wriggle from top to bottom and feel for play. Check to see if oil is getting by the seals. You'll know real quick what kind of shape your bearings are in.
A buddy of mine had a two year old 85 Bronco (full size) that ate front wheel bearings for lunch. Every time we would go trail riding (west side so mud was involved), He would have to pull his front bearings and re-pack or replace after a couple trips. At the same time, my jeep Comanche, I would wave at my wheel bearings once a year, unless it has been in the salt.
Post by: HntnFsh on March 23, 2022, 04:09:37 PM
I don't get the whole thing with replacing or repacking wheel bearings every year. Unless it's a boat trailer.
If you have to do that every year your axle and or bearings are probably undersized.
It used to be almost every car and truck on the road had the same wheel bearings. I don't know anybody that repacked those every year.
To me that would be the same thing as changing the front hub bearing assemblies every year. They do the same thing. They still have seals to keep water and debris out.
If It's a concern, jack the axle up and spin the tire to see or hear any roughness. Wriggle from top to bottom and feel for play. Check to see if oil is getting by the seals. You'll know real quick what kind of shape your bearings are in.
A buddy of mine had a two year old 85 Bronco (full size) that ate front wheel bearings for lunch. Every time we would go trail riding (west side so mud was involved), He would have to pull his front bearings and re-pack or replace after a couple trips. At the same time, my jeep Comanche, I would wave at my wheel bearings once a year, unless it has been in the salt.
My guess would be that there was a contributing factor to his Bronco eating wheel bearings.
Post by: MR5x5 on March 23, 2022, 05:08:35 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 23, 2022, 05:16:21 PM
Ridgeratt - that is a classic. Where can I get some of those check bearing lights!?
I think if that lite comes on you have more problems than just a bearing.