I need to replace some trailer bearings

SDE · Jul 29, 2017

I removed the hubs and decided to replace the outer bearings on two of the hubs. Unfortunately I can not see a number on the bearings. I found a web site for etrailer. They have a bearing kit for a 7000 lb axle. From the looks of the kit, they should fit. All is from China. But the bearings in the hub say China also. Are theses China bearing worth buying?

The hub caps have a rubber plug in them. You remove the plug and then you can grease the bearings with a grease gun. With this type of set up, do the inner seals need to be a special seal to keep the grease from getting into the brake system? The bearings that I need to replace, looked like they had gotten wet. The cages were stained and the bearing grease was brown. The only way that I can see any water getting in them would be thru the rubber plug. What should I do to prevent this from happening again?
Thank you
SDE

cole in mo. · Jul 29, 2017

Replace those caps with solid ones, napa can get the right bearings.

jm. · Jul 29, 2017

Cole what is your thinking or replacing the rubber caps. Have 4 trailers two of which are 9 years old and they have those rubber plugs and no problems to date. Makes it easy to take a look at the bearings. We chart the trailer miles and pull the wheel and bearings ever so often for a total service but that plug and grease is easy.

JDBRIDER · Jul 29, 2017

Why replace just the outer bearings?

kcm.MN · Jul 29, 2017

(quoted from post at 17:52:13 07/29/17) Why replace just the outer bearings?

Exactly! If you replace one, replace both. The bearing you leave behind may go bad at the worst possible time. Better to have peace of mind.

Steve@Advance · Jul 29, 2017

I've never used the rubber plug type caps. The spring loaded Bearing Buddy type have a bypass hole to try to keep too much pressure off the seal, but it is still easy to push grease past the seal, or blow it out. Got to be real careful! Bearings are not intended to run packed completely full of grease, they tend to overheat, with no room for expansion the grease has to go somewhere, so it pushes past the seal.

Getting water in trailer bearings is not a real big problem under normal use. But boat trailers, or any time the axle gets submerged, nearly impossible to keep it out. What happens is the air and grease inside the hub are hot and expanded, it hits cold water, contracts, and sucks the water right in!

As for China bearings, I wouldn't be too afraid of them. Nearly all bearings are imported.

Here is a chart with common bearing numbers and dimensions. You can check the measurements of the old bearings, get the correct numbers for replacement.
Bearing Chart

jon f mn · Jul 29, 2017

I would not change just one bearing, I always change everything, both bearings and races and the seal. If one is starting to go them the rest is not far behind. Also just use a regular cap with no hole and definitely not a bearing buddy. I've cleaned up after a lot of bearing buddy's in my time. There is really no need for either kind of greaseable system as your bearings don't need that much grease. If they are properly greased with goid bearing grease on assembly and used from time to time to prevent rust they will last for years and many thousands of miles. If you use either bearing buddies or ez lube and grease gets through the seal the dirt and water will follow the grease back in to the bearings and cause a failure, just like you have.

john in la · Jul 29, 2017

I use to play the bearing buddy on regular hubs game to try and keep water out my boat trailer hubs.

I now have Vortex hubs.
They have the fitting to replace the grease with a grease gun but I never use it after initial assembly.
If you use Lucas oil marine grease the hubs and bearing come with a 6 year 100,000 mile warranty.
Vortex Hubs

Russ from MN · Jul 30, 2017

The water is far more apt to get in past the inner seal than the rubber plug in the dust cover, as long as the plug is in good shape! I would wash out the bearings and hand pack them and put it back together with new seals.

Geo-TH,In · Jul 30, 2017

SDE,
I take my old bearing to a place in town that specializes in bearings. The last thing I want is to have a bearing issue while I'm loaded and on the road. Don't be cheap when it comes to bearings.

Replace both bearings, race and dust seal.
geo

SDE · Jul 30, 2017

Thank you everyone. I just ordered a complete set of bearings and seals on Amazon, for less than $75. Even Timkin are made in China. Now to get a replacement bearing for the car.
TY again
SDE

I need to replace some trailer bearings

SDE

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cole in mo.

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jm.

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JDBRIDER

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kcm.MN

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Steve@Advance

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jon f mn

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john in la

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Russ from MN

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Geo-TH,In

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SDE

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