utility trailer wheel bearing question

[Scottintexas]

I have a 16' double axle utility trailer. I've owned for 15 years and it was abused pretty good before I got it (the under support bars are bowed)

I seem to remember when I first bought it messing with the wheel and possibly replacing a couple of the bearings but that was 15 years ago. I really don't know what I'm doing,

I had one wheel that when you pulled outward on the top of it would move about 1/8-1/4 of in inch. enough to definitely hear and feel it. With the wheel off the hub would move in/out about 1/8 of an inch. Also when you spun the hub you could hear a slight grinding/contact (it wasn't terrible but it wasn't quiet).

after enough youtubes and knowing I'm going to have to do this to the boat trailer I'd thought Tonight was the night I figured I'd pull it apart.

The hub came off very easily and the outer seal and bearing came out and looked to be in good condition, it feels tight and rolled ok.

I couldn't get the inner bearing out and it appears there's a gap of about 1/8 inch between the outer seal and the bearing itself. I can move the bearing up/down within that gap.

1. Is that normal for that space to be there?

2. Also the spindle ?? it is not finished in the center section between the bearings, is that normal?





any advice would be greatly appreciated,
@Bruce

 

[Bruce]

That does look nasty. The unfinished section should not contact anything so it should not be an issue.

Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately I have never had to change trailer wheel bearings before. I have changed the wheel bearings on a Porsche. That was just a matter of pressing the old bearings out, heating up the hub, freezing the bearings and pressing them together.

Can you use a press to push out the stuck part of the bearing?

 

[Scottintexas]

I was able to remove the inner bearing and seal. when I put the bearing on the spindle and turned it, it felt rough or as if there might be sand inside the bearing and I could hear it,

when I would hold the removed bearing in my fingers and push on it, it would feel like the outer part would move 1/16 inch like it wasn't sealed against the rollers tight but the outer bearing feels the same way,

 

[Scottintexas]

wondering if maybe the inner seal in my first question wasn't tapped fully in allowing the wobble of the bearing?

If that's true then the seal wouldn't be flush with the edge of the hub,

I'll take another wheel off tomorrow to compare,

 

[mdwarchichoke]

I went with new bearings. They are cheap unless you want Timken's or something. Just make sure the spindles do not have any grooves in them. If it a working trailer hauling everyday, by the better ones. But for yard work and occasional short hauls to the dump, the cheap sets have worked find for me so far. This is were I got mine, but Tractor Supply, Northwest Tool etc has them too. I kept the old ones and repacked them into a spare hub I had. Never have roasted a hub yet, but i have learned to replace trailer tires due to age the hardway! HA

https://www.southwestwheel.com/c-218-running-gear-parts.aspx

Have fun its greasy, but not hard at all. Cheaper latex surgical gloves makes it less messy. I did all four of mine. Figured I had the wheels off anyway.

 

[Scottintexas]

I can't believe it but the job got done today, no more wheel wiggle.

I replaced the bearings. The inner bearing still had play between the hub and seal but the other were like that also.

The spindle on the other side also had the same "unfinished" area between the bearings.

Two great tips, black plastic gloves from Walmart (the blue ones rip very easy, the black ones are more durable and I could even take them off and on).

Lisle bearing packer, I know don't laugh but the thought of working that bearing in my hand with the grease, it just seemed easier and it moves the old grease out,
It was tremendously east\y and with little to no mess, well worth it to do the boat also,

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/products/?product=192

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I did this last year due to water intrusion on one of my hubs. I decided to replace the entire hub. There wasn't a big cost difference and I found it much easier. It's something that could be done of the side of the interstate if needed.