Trailer Wheel Coming off

[redneck joe]

Oh and yeah go new. Should all be standard size so cheap. I used etrailer.

 

[Themanofsteel]

Thanks

 

[Scubadon]

There are a lot of good videos on YouTube showing how to maintain the trailer bearings if you are unsure how to do it.

 

[keith2k455]

Got it everyone. Thanks. And FYI. I bought this boat less than a year ago. It's my first boat and so I just didn't think to look at the tires on the trailer. Definitely something I'll keep an eye on going forward.

You seem willing to learn and do things right. I'd take the time to do this yourself and learn about trailer maintenance. Is not difficult but necessary to ensure safety. It also doesn't take much time. I live on the IL river and couldn't find anyone to fix my trailer right if I needed it. If you live in an area like me, DIY trailer maintenance is a necessity.

 

[Themanofsteel]

If the axel is still ok I just may get a new bearing kit. But not sure what to buy. Maybe someone can help me find the correct kit for my specific trailer or are these parts standard on all trailers. Let me know.

 

[NYBo]

The parts are generic. Some guidance here: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...lers-and-towing/301522-re-wheel-bearing-sizes

BTW, the Escort trailer that came with your boat had 4-lug hubs and wheels, so either you don't have the original trailer or the axle has been replaced.

 

[smokeonthewater]

OR the hubs could have been replaced

 

[gm280]

Themanofsteel, First I would like to say, I am glad you are learning about your boating equipment even with this situation as it is. Please don't take any of these comments as anything but helpful and/or educational. We all had to start somewhere.

If you have no idea what type bearings and seal you have, take the good side off and remove the bearings and rear seal and carry them with you to most any auto parts store and buy replacements. But buy replacements for both sides and replace. That way you know for certain they are new and in perfect condition.

Also, search YouTube for how to repack bearings and install bearing races and rear seals and install everything correctly. I say that because it is much easier to see then to explain. But it is not hard to do and easily learned. JMHO!

 

[redneck joe]

Remove bearings and seals, wipe clean and there will be numbers on them. Take them to an autoparts store.

 

[smokeonthewater]

The FIRST step is to disassemble the parts and verify that there is no damage to the spindle or hub.... This can require a bit of experience to determine.....

That coupled with what I see in your pics is why I suggested a new axle assembly.... There is a fairly high chance of damage and a fair chance that a novice could miss that damage.

 

[Themanofsteel]

Ok smokeonthewater. I going to dissemble today, clean up and upload some pics.

 

[Themanofsteel]

No Title

So I removed wheel smokeonthewater. Here are the pics. The inner bearing was completely gone with the seal. The outer bearing was intact. So what do I need to repair? Found this one etrailer https://www.etrailer.com/p-BB1980A-SS.html. Will this fit? Does it have everything I need?

 

[smokeonthewater]

The link you put up comes up as a bearing buddy so no

In your pics the hub is for sure junk... I can't tell you from the pic if your spindle is damaged. Some will surely tell you it looks fine but I STILL think you would be wise to replace the axle.... Between a loaded hub for this side and new bearings for the other side you are looking at $50.... For $130 you get the whole thing...

If you are still determined to use that axle you need to look CLOSE at the spindle for any damage... Stress cracks, gouges, nicks, wear, signs of heat or fatigue.

Then mic the areas where the inner and outer races ride...

If seal area is damaged it will leak water in and grease out so that has to be checked as well.

 

[JimS123]

I am reminded of a vacation a few years ago. We were on the interstate and my wife was pulling the jetski ahead of me and I was right behind her pulling the boat. A boater (and I use the term loosly) passed us at a high rate of speed pulling a cuddy cruiser on an obviously overloaded trailer. Things looked very bad to me and I felt doom was near . As he just passed my wife his trailer wheel locked, spewing black smoke. A few seconds later the axle spindle broke off and the wheel became airborne. It hit the car in front of my wife. We both had the sense to hit the brakes, so we suffered no damage. The wheel / hub / spindle flew off in the field beside us. The trailer jacknifed and the pickup / boat / trailer careened into the ditch. Wer stoped long enough to be sure no one was hurt.

The point of my story is......forget trying to diagnose your problem yourself. Take the trailer to an expert that knows what to do, then watch him do it so you will be educated in the future. Based on the pics you showed us, you have an accident waiting to happen. The life you save might be the realtive of the person that sues you.

 

[keith2k455]

My opinion is the same you are being told. When I pull my boat (or any trailer) I need some piece of mind so I can pay a little more attention to the road instead of spending my energy worrying about a spindle I know is most likely bad. I think your spindle looks like it may snap off. There is some corrosion close to the u bolts that would worry me. You have to have piece of mind or you shouldn't tow.

 

[keith2k455]

Another note. . What about spring bushings and the coupling for the hitch? Are you sure you aren't dealing with a scrap trailer here?

 

[fhhuber]

Hub broken in the inner seal area. Its done, can't be fixed.

Spindle/Axle looks like it may be bad at the inner seal area also. Main bearing area doesn't look bad but has to be checked with a caliper and micrometer to see if it really is still good there. That doesn't really matter since needing bearings + a hub + the inner seal area machined (if its fixable) means you may as well get an axle that comes with hubs and bearings.

do it right... or have a trailer shop do it.

 

[alldodge]

Not being there to look closer, my opinion is get a new axle. While you could probably get the inner race of the bearings to seat sufficiently enough with some work to not cause an issue, I don't think you will be able to get the seal to seat properly. First time in the water it may leak and cause it to wash the grease right out. As for the hubs, I do think you should be able to reuse by replacing the races. Look close at the end for what may hinder the end cap from sealing

 

[GA_Boater]

Well there you have it. Superman. I would take the axle off, toss it the back of the truck and take it to a trailer place. It's very hard to diagnose what's wrong by looking at a series of pics and we can't touch it. I've seen worse looking spindles that were perfectly serviceable and better looking ones that were junk.

Don't tow the trailer! Let an experienced guy look and touch it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Absolutely do not reuse that broken hub under any circumstances...
It's not just about seating the seal... The hub is critical and it is compromised. That chip could very easily end up being the start of a crack that causes the hub to fly apart while towing.

As for taking it to a pro for hopeful repair, 2 hours labor plus a hub and bearings will exceed the cost of a complete new axle.