Bearing failure?

[ohiou_98]

I just re-packed my trailer bearings. (I'm hoping everything was done correctly!) Unfortunately, I'm leaving for a long trip the day after tomorrow (350 miles), so if things go bad I'll be far from home when they do.

Here's my question, how many miles should I go on a test drive to determine if the bearings are ok? In other words, I'm wanting to drive around to test my bearings, but not sure how long of a drive is an appropriate test? Will I experience immediate bearing failure, or will bearing failure require hours of driving before they rear their head?

Help?


Thanks!

 

[rbh]

Re: Bearing failure?

You should know in about 5-10 miles, pull over and wet your finger tips touch them carefully on the bearing area if its smoking hot and you burn your fingers time to redo the bearings.
Cool to medium warm (depending on distance traveled) is normal, if the grease is melting out and you also see smoke, thats not good.


OH ya, remember to throw a glob of grease on the ball or in the hitch it won't ruin the chrome as fast and nearly no friction going around a corner.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Bearing failure?

I just re-packed my trailer bearings. (I'm hoping everything was done correctly!) Unfortunately, I'm leaving for a long trip the day after tomorrow (350 miles), so if things go bad I'll be far from home when they do.

Here's my question, how many miles should I go on a test drive to determine if the bearings are ok? In other words, I'm wanting to drive around to test my bearings, but not sure how long of a drive is an appropriate test? Will I experience immediate bearing failure, or will bearing failure require hours of driving before they rear their head?

Help?


Thanks!

Your question is more or less like asking "When will I be struck by lightning". If you did a proper job inspecting, packing, and pre-loading your bearings, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Odds are the more miles you drive, the more likely you may have a failure.

All that being said. I would take it out for a 5 mile trip, bring it home, then feel the hubs for excessive heat. A slight amount above ambient temp I would consider normal. Too hot to touch is no good. Next jack up the trailer on either side and give your tires a wiggle. If they feel loose, then either your bearings have an issue, or you didn't pre-load them enough. Next spin the tire. If it seems like the tire spins with no more than the resistance of the grease in the hub, you should be good. If you try to spin the tire and it stops instantly, or is just plain difficult to spin, then you have an issue with the bearings or too much pre-load. May also want to make sure your grease seals aren't leaking, put a jack stand under this if you're sticking you head or body under the trailer. Final thing, check to ensure your lug nuts are still properly torqued, and your tires are properly inflated.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Bearing failure?

Just like they have said 5-10 miles and check for heat. A lot depends on the weight of the boat also. If you have a small aluminum boat there isn't much "work" for the bearings. A heavy boat there is a lot more pressure on the bearings. I would take some spare parts just in case. I usually have a set of bearings when I take a long trip. "just in case" and some grease. Good luck.

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: Bearing failure?

You can also buy a pre-assembled hub with bearings and seal installed. Example-

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/57207_lg.jpg

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Bearing failure?

Last spring on my boat's first trip of the year the hubs were checked at 50, 100, 150 and 200 miles. Everything was just fine. Somewhere after the 200 miles is where the bearing buddy flipped off, the bearings disappeared and the spindle got eaten. Moral of the story is it can happen any time.

 

[Eyeman]

Re: Bearing failure?

I agree with others on the short run and then check. As a side, something that I always do is check the bearings/brakes at every fuel stop. If you're going 350 miles it's likely you'll need to fill up. First I hold my hand on the tire to make sure it isn't overheating from low air pressure, then I touch the rim near the hub and if it isn't hot, I touch the bearing buddy or hub directly. All of the tires, rims and hubs should be the same temperature. The only exception that I've run into is on an extremely hot day with the sun shining on only one side of the rig, it can be slightly warmer.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Bearing failure?

I just re-packed my trailer bearings. (I'm hoping everything was done correctly!) Unfortunately, I'm leaving for a long trip the day after tomorrow (350 miles), so if things go bad I'll be far from home when they do.

Here's my question, how many miles should I go on a test drive to determine if the bearings are ok? In other words, I'm wanting to drive around to test my bearings, but not sure how long of a drive is an appropriate test? Will I experience immediate bearing failure, or will bearing failure require hours of driving before they rear their head?

Help?


Thanks!

Jack up wheels one at a time, spin wheels, check for play, bearing/grinding sounds, etc. Be sure you didn't over-tighten that pre-load hex nut on the end of your spindle. A bit of play there is O.K./Fine, and a lot better than over-tightening, which can really fry a bearing...you should be fine!