Wheel bearings

[davidpbo]

Checked the wheel bearings, bakes, cables etc. and removed the slight oxidation on the braking surface of the drums on the boat trailer Thursday. All good, put the wheels back on, with the castellated nuts nuts and tightened them up as I usually do-that is tighten with a socket without really using the bar, ever so slightly then back them off to the next castellation. I forgot to rock the wheels before I dropped the trailer off the chocks, so jacked it up today and rocked them top and bottom and side to side. Three were fine, no movement but loose, one had very slight movement, I decided to tighten that bearing one castellation, still only just over finger tight but to me the wheel feels a bit less free running than it did. Is that likely to be a problem?

I have read that it is better slightly slack than tight to allow for thermal expansion when running, but a friend of mine who useed to make wheels said they should not be any movement.

 

[black mercury]

By what you describe I believe you have tapered bearings. They should be fitted by tightening the nut with a socket while rotating the drum until the drum gets slightly tight. Then back off the nut until there is only perceptible play in the hub. Then fit your split pin. Yes, slightly too loose is better than too tight.

 

[RichardS]

Checked the wheel bearings, bakes, cables etc. and removed the slight oxidation on the braking surface of the drums on the boat trailer Thursday. All good, put the wheels back on, with the castellated nuts nuts and tightened them up as I usually do-that is tighten with a socket without really using the bar, ever so slightly then back them off to the next castellation. I forgot to rock the wheels before I dropped the trailer off the chocks, so jacked it up today and rocked them top and bottom and side to side. Three were fine, no movement but loose, one had very slight movement, I decided to tighten that bearing one castellation, still only just over finger tight but to me the wheel feels a bit less free running than it did. Is that likely to be a problem?

I have read that it is better slightly slack than tight to allow for thermal expansion when running, but a friend of mine who useed to make wheels said they should not be any movement.

A tiny bit of movement is better than the bearing feeling tight but it's not that critical. However, check it again in 50 miles or so as it might bed in.

Richard

 

[davidpbo]

Thank you for input.
Cc 50 miles is usually my second check. 1st about 5 after a service.