Axle and Bearing condition

[gnrboyd]

I am re-packing wheel bearings and while I don't think I need to replace anything except the seals, I would like some opinions regarding the condition of my axles and bearings to confirm what I am seeing.​

Right axle:
This axle looks pretty good. (I think) I see a very light ring where the seal rides on the axle but I think this is probably normal. It also has some surface rust behind where the axle rides. (This is a used trailer I just bought...it is 15 years old but wasn't used heavily.)

Left axle:
The left axle has some light pitting or scaring on the top half of the axle but doesn't seem to be where the bearings ride. My feeling is that I should be ok if the hub is packed with grease. This side also has a line on the axle where the seal rides. I can't snag my fingernail when I run it across this area but it does seem to stand out in the photo. Is this normal?​

Bearings:​

The 4 bearings look pretty good to me. There are a couple of places that have some very light rings as shown in this photo. I think these are probably fine. Would you agree?​

Also, I've read somewhere that bearings and races are matched sets. I read this after I disassembled my hubs and bearings. On one side, I do not know which is inner and which is outer. (both bearings and the same part#) I left the races installed as I thought they looked pretty good. Does this really matter? I guess I have a 50-50 shot at getting it right. What are the chances of bearing failure if I install the bearings with the opposite races ? I would think this would be unlikely. Any thoughts?​

Thanks for your help.​

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

If you were told the trailer was used very little you were lied to. The groove where the seal rides is not normal. There should be no groove there. Any marks of any kind on a bearing or the race means it needs replacing. Never run a new bearing on an old race. it is counter-productive and invites early failure. Bearings are cheap and any auto suppy store can press the races for a couple of bucks. Do not be surprised if the seals on both sides leak and sling grease on the inside of the wheel due to the grooves in the spindle. Properly pack the bearings and when you install them make sure they are adjusted properly. Lastly -- the hubs and spindles have had moisture in them and that accounts for the pitting. It's called lack of maintenance.

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

So are you saying that the groove in the spindles where the seal rides should be cause for a replacement or just live with the idea that I may leak some grease? Is there anything I can do with this spindle to solve or minimize the problem? Would something like this be beneficial?​

http://www.bearingbuddy.com/spindle_seal.html​

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

they say they are, emery cloth and clean up the spindle. then make sure they are clean, before grease.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

Ayuh,..........

What I see is,......
In the Top picture,.... I'd polish the area where the Seal rides with 220gt. emerycloth,+ Put it back together.....
In the 2nd picture,... I'd polish the Seal area again, along with the rest of the quill, just to clean off the Rust.....
If you can't Feel the little score caused by the Seal,..... I wouldn't bother with a Speedisleeve,....
Not unless the score is more than say .015 or so......

The fact that you didn't tag your bearings isn't the end of their Life,....Matched Is in fact much Better,....
But I wouldn't loose any sleep over it,.... Nor would I replace them for that reason.......

In your 3rd picture,.......... You're Looking in the Wrong Place,............
Granted,... A Damaged Roller is something to Look for,....
But,.....
A Cone Bearing Fails when it's Races Fail,.......
Hold the bearing up to a light, with the Big end towards your eyes,....
Look down thru,+ Under the rollers,+ their cage, so you can see the Inner Race,........
That's usually where a bearing Begins to Fail.........
Any Pitting, or Scores,......... Junk It.........

When your ready to put it back together,......
Get yourself 1 of these,..... It puts the grease where it needs to be Easily........

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

Bond-o,

I held the bearing up to a light, and I can't see much. I can see the end of the rollers but there isn't much room to see anything else. From what I can see on the ends, I do not see any pits, nicks, or rust. I will try it again tomorrow when I take it outside and get some better light but I still don't see how I am going to see up inside enough to be able to detect pits or scratches inside the bearing assembly. Maybe I am misunderstanding your instructions. ?

From Silvertip's comments, I believe he is suggesting that the bearing in the photo should be replaced because there are some markings. This particular bearing had 2 or 3 faint lines on a couple of the rollers. This was the worst of any of the 4 which I didn't think was very bad. (But then again...I'm not sure...that is why I am seeking advice from the experts.) If I can't see anything using your method in the light, would you go ahead and use this bearing with the faint lines?

(I didn't take photos of the races as they look good. I do realize if I replace the bearing, the races will also need to be replaced.)

By the way....I do have one of those bearing packers. I ran across one at a freight salvage store for a buck or two and I bought it 10-15 years ago. I never used it for some reason back then. I remember looking at it thinking it probably wouldn't do as good a job as doing it by hand. I sold my last boat 6 years ago and am now just getting back into it. I'll be sure to use it this time.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.​

 

[wncrjb]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

So are you saying that the groove in the spindles where the seal rides should be cause for a replacement or just live with the idea that I may leak some grease?​

http://www.bearingbuddy.com/spindle_seal.html​

IF grease can leak out, water can "leak" in every time you back down the ramp.

wncrjb

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

Personally seeing how it is apart at the moment I would clean everything up and replace what I could. It sure beats wishing you had on the side of the highway. It is a relatively cheap price for a whole lot of peace of mind if installed correctly.

 

[Major Woods]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

A lot of good advise above.

The bearing (pictured) is shot, replace it.
Never replace a bearing and not the race.

Employed as a QA Engineer for a bearing plant.

 

[tommays]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

Before

You need to measure correctly mine were 1.720

A simple homemade driving tool

After

Better than NEW you need to use a sealent so they do not leak between the sleve and old axle


Google Speedi Sleeve


Tommays

 

[Wotam]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

What Silvertip says... "Bearings are cheap".

If there is any doubt at all, replace 'em.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

If in doubt, change it out !!!!

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Axle and Bearing condition

Well, I heard enough comments from everyone to go ahead and replace the bearings and races so I went that route. I'll just keep the old ones with me in the event I have an issue while on the road. They'd probably be good enough to get me home.

The bearing (pictured) is shot, replace it. Never replace a bearing and not the race.

Employed as a QA Engineer for a bearing plant.

Hmmmm.... I would guess a QA Engineer at a bearing plant could always find something wrong with a bearing. Just kidding. I'm assuming you said the bearing is shot due to the light line markings. There are some dust particles on the bearing that I was afraid some might think were pits.​

tommays....Thanks for the photos of the speedi sleeves. I cleaned everything up with some emery cloth and it looks much better so I think I will try without them this time. I'll keep an eye on it to make sure I'm not getting anything leaking out the back. I'll pull it apart next winter and see how everything held up and then go from there.​

I now have all new bearings, races, seals, and grease. Now I just need it to get warmer. Its about 5 degrees outside so the re-pack job will have to wait a few days until it warms up. The trailer is in the garage but it is even too cold to do in there. I used to ice fish, duck hunt, bow hunt, etc. in all this miserable weather but any more....I just can't do it. Getting old I guess. I may have to move south some day.​

I appreciate everyone's input on this subject. I'm sure I'll have something else soon that I will need some advice or opinions on. Thanks again.​