Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3512
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Trailer wheel bearing?
I finally broke down and got an old 14' flatbed trailer off Craig's List so I can make 2 or 3 runs to BOLA with various building materials. This
trailer sat for 14 years but the owner put on pretty good used tires and redid most of the wood floor. I pulled the wheels off and was surprised to
recognise (I think) old VW wheels and hubs. The hub cap was the old half moon with the VW logo, and the wheel was the 2 parter where the wheel with
the tire bolted on to a plate that in turn bolted on the hub. I think this was how the 60's bugs were ;(kinda hard for me to remember alot about the
60s:cool . Any way, when I pulled the hubs the bearings were ball bearings and
not needle like the kind on my boat trailer. nearly all the races looked smooth but a few of the ball bearings were pitted and not smooth - maybe
10%. I packed them like crazy but I'm wondering what you mechanicos think about the probablility of these lasting 3 or 4 trips from No Cal to BOLA
(1900 miles) with maybe 750 -1000 pounds of goodies? Spindle, by the way is bigger on the inside and smaller on the outside. Made my 19-year-old
pack one side - probably the one and only bearing he'll have to pack in his whole life. I intend to go to used tire place and get a spare/wheel and
hopefully a matching hub.
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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Bearing are cheap. Because of the pitting, I'd replace what you have and carry an extra set and grease in case of problems on the road. I recently
bought a small flatbed trailer and took the hubs and bearings to a trailer shop, and they liked the look of the bearings and races, so I just got an
extra set for $10.00 U.S.
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vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 640
Registered: 4-4-2006
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Packo is spot on. The only time you should "cheap suit" something is when it does not matter. The fact that you will be towing this trailer
with stuff that you will want to keep as well as the fact that
YOU will be in the tow vehicle makes it more than enough
reasons to do the job right. Pitting, galling etc on bearings is NO GOOD. These things get hot and the smooth polished
bearing surfaces are not there for looks. Bearings and seals are inexspensive insurance as are new tires . Your tires need to be
in the best shape. Who wants to change a tire on the baja highway?
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4baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1339
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: morro bay ca
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jim this is a no brainer, have the hubs serviced and buy a extra set. allso bring a grease gun with you. allso have tools to change out the bearings
and a socket big enough to knock out the race. i have been broke down a few times with trailler problems and its a drag, do it right the first time so
i wont have to fix it when i see you broken down on the side of the road.
[Edited on 8-20-2008 by 4baja]
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Dont forget the cold chisel, small hand sledge, a file and some emery cloth in case one of those bearings does decide to seize up on the spindle.
Kudos to Roberto for reminding me of this possibility after driving the peninsula for many years w/o this stuff.
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3512
Registered: 8-27-2003
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We've (local trailer shop) determined that it's an old chevy hub - probably 50s or early 60s. Was directed to a shop in West Sac that specializes in
old bearings so will follow everyone's advice and take it there. Hook: good one on the emery cloth - my father taught me that trick but I forgot
about it.
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Vince
Nomad
Posts: 446
Registered: 10-17-2006
Location: Coronado
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Good info here, but please enlighten me on the emery cloth, cold chisel and hand sledge trick if you could. I am planning to pull my boat up from
Mulege one of these months. Gracias.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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IF a bearing seizes on the spindle, you may have to chisel it off. Then use the file to get the rough stuff off and the emery cloth to get it smooth.
This is the worst case scenario.
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