Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

[juels98]

Hi,

I have a used boat that I bought a few years ago and meant to re-grease my bearings. I'll be taking it on a 2 hr tow trip tomorrow so I figure I better finally do it.

The problem is this. My trailer has the Shorelandr stickers on it, but the title says Escort. No identification, model number or vin number can be found on the trailer itself. Also, the dust caps on the wheels are kind of clear polyurethane with springs inside. I googled the model numbers for those caps a few years ago, but couldn't find much info.

My question is this, I've packed bearings before-- does it even matter what model trailer it is and how the dust caps look? Bearings are bearings unless they're sealed hubs . Correct?

Thank you!!

Julian

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

Bearings are normally very similar. Are there any grease zerts on the end of the cap. The ones that I have seen with the spring are like the bearing buddies that you just use a grease gun on. Any pictures

 

[juels98]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

hi, thanks for ur reply. I wont be home for a couple of hrs, but i don't remember seeing a zerk. My plan was to clean and repack the bearings. How do i get the spring loaded cap back on? Is there anything else that needs to be done differently??

Thanks,
Julian

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

If its the type I'm thinking there may be a small cap covering the zerk. They should come of just like a normal caps.

 

[juels98]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

any special way of putting them back on?

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

Use a rubber mallet with a folded up rag for a buffer

 

[juels98]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

perfect. Thank u very much. Wish me luck

 

[lncoop]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

Just so we're clear, unless you have EZ lube spindles (which you most likely don't) you do have to remove the old grease before you add more, otherwise you'll blow the inner seals. You should be able to use a big pair of channelocks to wiggle the caps off. Once you're done with the repack gently tap the caps back on with a mallet to get them started, then hold a short 2x4 block flat against them and hit the block until they're seated correctly.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

I'd just grease them up as normal. Check behind the hubs to see if there is a hidden grease zerk, the hubs are like that on both my trailers. If there's a grease zerk, pump it up to load the cap's spring, but not bottom out the spring

You should be able to use a big pair of channelocks to wiggle the caps off.

I usually *tap* the edge of the cap straight down with a plastic dead blow hammer, rotate 90* and tap, rotate 90* and tap, etc., etc., until the cap drops off.

 

[juels98]

Re: Re-greasing Trailer Bearings-- on an unknown trailer model number

UPDATE: realized i wont have enough time to do the job today, and having realized the caps do have a zerk fitting and are spring loaded, i popped both off. Didnt see anything odd. Put them back on and adde grease through the zerk till it came out of the overflow hole. Hoping my trip goes well. btw, caps have Acutek 602 stamped on them. Thanks for ur help!!