Trailer maintenance; grease your hubs!!!

localboy

I was doing a little pm on the trailer & boat. I went to put new grease into the hubs. Three of the four were fine; clean grease in & out. The last hub, the left front, was full of milky, white, viscous "grease", obviously mixed w/ water. This hub has always run hotter. Now I know why. the last time I did this last season it was pretty clean, but that's obviously no longer the case. >1 cup came out when I filled the hub w/ new grease. Looks like it's time for new seals and repacks of all four hubs. I think this time I go w/ marine grease in all four.

Pics:
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album1459&id=bad_grease_2&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album1459&id=bad_grease&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album1459&id=bad_gease_3&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php
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BrentB · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:36 pm Post subject:

What were the condition of the bearings and races?

localboy · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject:

I haven't taken them apart. I'm looking for seals as we speak.

BrentB · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:07 pm Post subject:

We needed to replace the bearings and races on our dual axle sailboat trailer.

Very messy
Thank goodness for Lava soap

http://www.easternmarine.com/Trailer-Wheel-Bearings-Races/

lloyds · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:10 pm Post subject:

I am assuming you have the perma lube system on your axles. I think that is what it is called.

localboy · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject:

I have the "SuperLube" spindle on a King KBT7000B2 model trailer, built in 11-2006.
http://www.tiedown.com/pdf/c718.pdf

I have no part numbers and have had no luck locating them. King Trailer's website was useless. Guess I'll call a dealer.

lloyds · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 7:01 pm Post subject:

I didn't realize they hold that much grease. But superlube is what I was trying to think of. I have the same trailer.

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 7:27 pm Post subject:

King part numbers will be on our website under King Trailer parts.

naptime · Guest

If you need to replace the seals, bearings or race the part number is on the part. Just take the part to your local NAPA store And they will provide you with a replacement. For repacking use gloves that can be purchased at the NAPA store to bypass the mess. Your local auto store has the tools to remove and install the seals/races. I always use a good wheel bearing grease to repack. I have had very good performance from West Marine wheel bearing grease (red color).

smittypaddler · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:29 pm Post subject: Oil bath wheel bearings

I'm on my way back to Wisconsin from Long Island, New York, having bought there a used Norseboat 17.5. It's on an EZ-Loader trailer with oil bath hubs, which I'd never seen before, and had no knowledge of. About 200 miles into the trip home, I noticed the oil level, which you can see through a transparent window on the wheel hub, had gone down to about a quarter full. I stopped at a truck service center, and the mechanic showed me how to add oil. It's done through a tiny hole on the side of the hub, about a quarter inch in diameter, with a set screw removed with an allen wrench. The mechanic recommended a heavy oil specifically for oil bath hubs, and said it was top quality, and might plug up the leaking seal that was causing the oil level to go down. Sure enough, 600 miles later, the oil level in that hub hasn't dropped at all, and the hub feels just a little wamer than my skin temperature. I'll replace the seals on both wheels when I get home. I thought you all might be interested in the experiences of a total novice with oil bath wheel bearings. Any advice on what else I need to do would also be appreciated.

journey on · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:16 pm Post subject:

For those of us with leaking inner seals, please check the hub where the seal sits/rubs when you install a new seal.

On the E-Z Loader the hubs were worn and allowed oil to drain out of the hub. Not only does this drain oil out, but it also lubes up the brake pads. Since the hub and axle are one piece, I used Speedi Sleeves . These are thin stainless sleeves that slide over the hub, don't leak and give the seal a smooth surface on which to seal.

I use (per E-Z Loader recommendations) SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil. This is probably better than the 50W engine oil that Reliable recommends, since it's designed to lubricate bearings and gears. If your bearings are grease lubricated, remember to pack them before installing them. The hubs on the E-Z loader are made by Reliable, though they don't sell any parts to usn.

Boris

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:59 pm Post subject:

80-90 was originally desiged for lubricating hypoid gear sets.....It can be used for bearings too, but it will create extra drag and will require more enery to pull. The difference though in actual practice is probably almost none.

Spike · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:18 am Post subject:

Smittypaddler
Be real carful about adding oil to your hubs as it is very easy to over fill them. They may, and I'll stress the word may not have been low. You have to let them sit for a bit to get a true reading on them Have to give that heavy oil time to run down. Even when I change the oil I add very slowly alittle at a time. Learned this the hard way. To much oil is as bad as to little. I also use a good brand 90 wt.

smittypaddler · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:55 am Post subject: Overfilling

Chuck,

I learned my lesson about overfilling a few years ago when I had the oil changed on my twin Honda 40s in Florida. The mechanic put oil in and told me it had to settle for awhile, and went to lunch. I was impatient to get going, and when I checked the dipstick, not realizing how clear the new oil was, thought it needed more, and put some more in. By the time the mechanic returned I'd overfilled both engines. We had to pull the boat out of the water on a lift (I didn't have my trailer with me) to drain the excess oil out. That lesson cost me for the extra lift, but might've been worth it, as I'm more careful now.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:12 am Post subject:

Mark is quite adept mechanically I'm sure. I posted a list of the part numbers somewhere on here, I'll look and see if I can find it again. I have been through the hub thing, in spades.

As to grease, I swear by Gary Estes's advice, and Gary swears by Lucas Red 'N' Tacky No. 2.