"Bill McKee" wrote in message
k.net...

"Jim Laumann" wrote in message
...


...snipped....

Todd


Hmmm... I feel better. I'm in good company

Run a boat trailer long enough, sooner or later you will have
trouble....


We managed to limp his trailer back to his house, and I think
he ended up replacing the whole axle, as it was chewed up bad.
We too were lucky....

Re-pack those bearings every year - even sooner if you do the
salt water - I wonder it that's what got yours (ie orevious owner)?

If you look on the ROFB web site, there is an article on repacking
trailer wheel bearings.

I just bought the boat and went out an bought many items... such as
Bearing
Buddy's as I'd rather be safe. Turns out I did not understand that this
trailer has a Speindle Lube Axel (I found out today). But also, one of
the
special dust caps either was never on the trailer or fell off when I was
towing it home the first time. This is another reason why I put Bearing
Buddy's on it. Turns out, from what I can tell, BB's won't do anything
for
me on this axel. While the info on Spindle Lube axel's is that when new
grease is applied it forces out all the old grease, it looks like a BB
won't
push grease into the hub from the outside.

In my experience, Bearing Buddys help, but aren't the total solution.
I searched Google for Spindle Lube Axle, and what I found was
something that looks similar to Buddy's by Northern Tool & Equipment.
I have had Buddy's on my trailer, currently they are off, due to the
fact that as you install and remove Buddys (for repacking), they tend
to cause wear on the hub, and susquently get thrown off the hub when
the wheels turn at highway speed. I threw TWO sets of Buddy's off
my trailer attending the NWC in 2003.

I will be the first to admit that my trailer and boat are older, and
as such, are somewhat shop queens - needing regular maint. As a
result, I've gone back to just using dust caps until I can put on a
new axle (my trailer is a Shoreland'r and as such, uses parts only
available from marine dealers at confiscatory prices).

Bearing Buddy's (and similar products) shouldn't be seen as a tool
(aka crutch) that let you avoid bearing maint. The idea behind a Buddy
and similar products is that when a warm hub is imersed in cool water,
there is a change of air pressure, and as a result, water is sucked in
to the hub. Buddy's attempt to provide a grease resovoir, so that more
grease is pulled in to the hub instead of water.

I suspect this is the same concept w/ the product you have.


I replaced the seals and bearings but I think they sold be incorrect
items.
From Champion Trailers site, it seems that I might need to have two
seals
on
the inside and none on the outside (?). I"m going to go to a local
trailer
store now that I'm hope and get all the correct items. I'm then going to
replace items on _both_ wheels.

Sounds correct to me. The sequence I have seen on the trailers I've
worked on over the years is (from the outside working inward):

1) dust cover
2) cotter key
3) flat washer (usually has a tab to fit a keyed slot on the axle)
4) castel nut (or a castel washer and plain nut)
5) outer bearing (and race - pressed in the hub)
6) hub
7) inner race (pressed in back side of hub)
8) inner bearing
9) grease seal


But at least now I will know everything about my trailer for the future.

Yup - and I got to stress - repack those bearings at least once a
year. I do mine in the fall, before I put the boat into storage for
the winter (MN). Even with Buddy's, I have found traces of water
in the hubs - its going to happen. Re-packing isn't hard, just messy.

Best of luck w/ the new toy

Jim




Drill and tap a set screw hole in the hub to lock the bearing buddy in
place. As to axles, go to a place the supplies truck springs, etc. In
Oakland Calif, it is Oakland Spring. They build and sell axles. When I
had
a leasing company, the delivery trucks would break springs and shackles.
They would build the shackles if none were in stock. Also mearsure the
axle
and Champion Trailer can supply you one to fit.


Bill, you are a well spring of useful information. We need to get together
and go fishing. I think this summer I'm gonna head up towards Sac and try
to hook up with Jarod Bollardo for a day. Maybe you and I can get together
for a couple hours.

Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com