Fitting trailer bearings

[lanason]

I have taken the bearing out of my wheel hub on my trailer and I am in the process of refitting.

- Should I push the cups in dry or put some grease in behind ?
- Should I put some grease into the actual rollers in the bearing ?

Any other tricks or tips for the best re-fit ??

 

[VicS]

Just a smear of grease to help the outer races into position. Tap them home with a copper or brass drift (hardwood if you dont have copper or brass)

Well grease the rollers. About half fill the space between the bearings, no more or the grease gets churned round too much and goes all yucky.

Tighten the nut well while turning the hub to make sure the bearings are all bedded in place then back of a turn or so a adjust according to instructions before locking the retaining nut. I find that retightening the nut finger tight is often about right to give just the bearest detectable slackness felt at the wheel rim.

Put a dollop of grease in the cap as well.

 

[lanason]

Thanks Vic - bought the bearings a while ago and took the hub off but only now get round to refitting. The garden took precendence !!!!!

 

[Lakesailor]

What? Didn't you have 10 minutes to spare?

 

[lanason]

nah . . . . . . those 10 minute jobs never are.

got to fix no 1's shower today (leaking) any excuse not to........

 

[lw395]

Assuming taper roller bearings, do the nut up moderately tight, say about 25ftlb? then back off about 1/4 to 1/3 turn to get the split pin in the castellated nut. Check it after a few miles in case the bearings settle in the housings. If you can just feel the slightest slack thats about right.
The above should be reasonable unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
Hope that helps.

 

[paulm299]

If using copper/brass/wood drifts make sure there are no flakes or chips of the material left behind .

 

[tr7v8]

Quick tip.To save getting plastered in grease when greasing the rollers, put bearing & large dob of grease in a zipppy freezer bag, zip bag & work with fingers. Wear disposable gloves when you take bearing out. Best adjustment for bearing after seating is it, is to tighten nut until washer just moves sideways with a screwdriver or similar. Never overtighten them, they'll over heat & seize....

 

[lanason]

Well all 4 bearings now changed. Took longer than the 10 minutes suggested by Lakey. I'm a happy teddy now.

Now I need to decide what the next job is:-

- I'd love to put a new hood on
- and a new engine would be a treat.

 

[Lakesailor]

10 minutes each hub. I'm not an F1 mechanic. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[lanason]

Next time you can come down and show me how. If you do it under 10 minutes, I'll pay your travelling expences /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif