DanMarino 03/30/2010 - 15:08
Hi Mike,
I'm thinking I need to check my trailer out too. I'm wondering if I pumped too much grease into the bearing buddies.
So where did you notice the grease staining? Was it on the backside of the wheel? I figured some staining would be normal as the bearing buddy seems to keep some sort of spring pressure on the grease all the time.
Thanks,
Tom
REB9 03/24/2010 - 18:28
Mike- Don't let the job scare you. I've done it several times. You've probably blown out a seal. I used to blow out a seal every year once I changed to an axle cover that had a grease fitting. If you got a good seal, and you grease the bearings correctly, you don't have to grease more than once a year unless you boat in Salt Water.... You blow a seal by adding a squirt or two of grease every time you use your rig.... With good seals, where can the grease go... cept out the seal.....
1- Pull the axle cap.
2- Straighten out the cotter key that is holding the nut on the axle.
3- Remove the key.
4- Remove the axle nut.
5- you probably have a washer then the front bearing. You have two choices... Remove the washer and front bearing, or pull the wheel off.. If you chose the second choice, the rear bearing may or may not come with the wheel.... If it didn't come with the wheel, youve got a blown race... take it off.
6- Now, remove the race holding the back bearing in... THe race is normally also the seal... ONce the race is out, remove the bearing.. 7- Clean the axle. You may need to emory cloth it to make it smooth again....
8. Install new rear bearing and race. Before you install, grease the bearing by putting grease in your hand and knead the grease into each bearing.... TAP the race back into the wheel... level with the outside edge.
9. Get the idea? Now put the wheel baCK ON the axle... Throw some grease in there for good measure..
10. Knead the grease into the bearing as before, before installing.
11. Load the washer, then the nut. Tighten the nut by hand till snug. Spin the wheel to ensure it is spinning smoothly.
12- Now the science. Some experts will tell you to use a wrench to snug the nut, then back off a quarter turn... Some will tell you to hand tighten and spin. I like the wrench to snug then back off a little.
13- Install cotter key.. Throw in some more grease.... Install axle cover. Turn the wheel till you are happy that you didn';t screw it up.... Then do the other one..
REB9
