Trailer Bearings

When I was getting off the water last week, as I was backing up the trailer, I noticed the wheel on the passenger side was wobbling. When I took a look at it I noticed the hub was missing and after I loaded up the boat I crippled home taking the side roads. I also check to make sure my grease levels and make sure nothing is missing.

I finally went to the garage today to look at the bearings and see if there was any damage done to the spindle. After getting everything cleaned up and taken apart things don't look too good. The 1st bearing was in good shape & intact but the inner bearing or what was left of it was just the shell of the bearing. Also noticed there was chunks missing off the spindle. I had this done last year and the just replaced the bearings on that side. I'm just curious if anyone can tell me if this spindle is still good because I have no clue. I also noticed some dimples on the outside of the spindle casing. Pics attached. It looks like hammer marks from knocking off the old bearing which I know was done at the shop. I'm hoping that someone here can lead me in the right direction as to what to do next. Also wondering if there's anything better than Bearing Buddies. Thanks.

Attachments:

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nick Cammarata on April 6, 2009 at 9:06pm: well jeff you are the first to say you love the oil bath I dont own one but my PMTT partner does. Had 2 sets go bad last year. I have never talked to a ranger owner whos did not have water in them. I have the sure lube hubs and I have 25 to 30 thousand miles on my 04 eagle relaced the bearings and seals once seems to be where its at. The oil baths suck if the seal goes so does the oil at least grease stays even with no seal and the oil bath you have to pull the wheel to add oil its a pain in the but. Are there any ranger boys who have had this?? All the PMTT guys I have talked to get new seals on the oil bath every year or so!!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matt McCumber on June 21, 2009 at 7:17pm: I have the oil bath from liqua lube. I have never had water in mine and they have been on for 10 yrs with over 75,000 mile on boat trailer. I did replace them this spring and they were still good so now they are spares. I would not go with out them. Just my 2 cents. www.liqualube.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shep on July 27, 2009 at 7:23am: Oil bath is what the big trucks use. If they are a good system like LiquiLube, you'll get many tens of thousnads of miles out of them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike on June 21, 2010 at 10:50pm: Never know when a seal will go out. I prime my bearing buddies at the launch prior to dunking hubs. With positive pressure in the buddy spring, water can't get in till spring relaxes. I have terrible luck with seals, tried them all. Properly preloaded bearings, and positive grease pressure go a long way. Even if seal leaks a little I always know bearings are full of grease prior to dunking them.

Also keep in mind you can blow out the seal with too many pumps on the ole grease gun.......

Holland comment, seldom have I seen a boat launch here in US where we can launch without getting hubs wet. Concrete launch angle is too shallow.; ▶ Reply to This