What's the procedure of greasing such hubs? I ordered a small grease gun and will buy marine grease, but I've never done this and YouTube shows different wheels. But my main question is why the wheels look different and whether I should do something about it or is it normal? Here are the photos of both wheels. You can see how one has a longer hub end - the cylinder seems attached and metal, and the plastic cup is loosely stuck on the end and is wobbly, held only by grease it seems.
Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
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romandesign
- Engineer
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
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Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
Hi, I want to grease wheel bearing in my new 1989 Mac 26D with original trailer. I use it in fresh water only (Toronto area and around) and so did the previous owner. However now that I looked closely at the wheels - the hubs are different! One has a metal cylinder with a plastic cup on it protruding from the hub and the other doesn't, and it has an exposed grease. I'm not sure if those are just different hub parts and one was replaced sometime, or some part is missing from the shorter hub? Any advice?
What's the procedure of greasing such hubs? I ordered a small grease gun and will buy marine grease, but I've never done this and YouTube shows different wheels. But my main question is why the wheels look different and whether I should do something about it or is it normal? Here are the photos of both wheels. You can see how one has a longer hub end - the cylinder seems attached and metal, and the plastic cup is loosely stuck on the end and is wobbly, held only by grease it seems.


What's the procedure of greasing such hubs? I ordered a small grease gun and will buy marine grease, but I've never done this and YouTube shows different wheels. But my main question is why the wheels look different and whether I should do something about it or is it normal? Here are the photos of both wheels. You can see how one has a longer hub end - the cylinder seems attached and metal, and the plastic cup is loosely stuck on the end and is wobbly, held only by grease it seems.
- yukonbob
- Admiral
- Posts: 1918
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- Sailboat: Other
- Location: Whitehorse Yukon
Re: Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
Lower one looks like an older buddy bearing has been installed. Just pull rubber cap connect grease gun to nipple and push grease in until the plate the nipple is on is pushed to the outer edge (I'm very certain there are better more detailed instructions available online probably with pictures). the other is a standard bearing assembly and will require you to pull the wheel hub and whole assembly apart and force grease (with your hand) directly into the bearing. IMO I'd be replacing both with a brand new bearing buddy kit since you want to take the top hub apart anyways (think they're like $20 or $30 a pair) You already have one installed to use as a guide. Hardest part is removing and re-seating the inner bearing on the spindle.
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romandesign
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Re: Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
I found a section in the manual about grease but I don't understand what they mean. What piston? Where is it located? Do I have to disassemble the hub to access the bearing? Do I have to jack up the trailer with the boat to do it, or it's OK just as is, free-standing?
Here it is:
"Buy a small grease gun for the hubs and use a high quality
multi- purpose non-fibrous grease, similar to the grease used
in automobile wheel bearings. Put in enough grease to move
the spring loaded piston about 1/8" outward from its seated
position. Check the lubricant level in the hub by pressing
the edge of the spring loaded piston. If you can move or
rock the piston, the hub has sufficient grease. If it cannot be
moved, add grease with the grease gun. Do not overfill."
Here it is:
"Buy a small grease gun for the hubs and use a high quality
multi- purpose non-fibrous grease, similar to the grease used
in automobile wheel bearings. Put in enough grease to move
the spring loaded piston about 1/8" outward from its seated
position. Check the lubricant level in the hub by pressing
the edge of the spring loaded piston. If you can move or
rock the piston, the hub has sufficient grease. If it cannot be
moved, add grease with the grease gun. Do not overfill."
- yukonbob
- Admiral
- Posts: 1918
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:54 pm
- Sailboat: Other
- Location: Whitehorse Yukon
Re: Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
http://www.bearingbuddy.com/install.html for bearing buddy info
http://thetrailerguys.ca/index.php?main_page=page&id=4 for regular setup.
The BB are super easy for maintenance and BB installation isreally easy. To re-grease (re-pack) existing bearing, at the very least you should replace the bearings as the existing bearing have to be completely removed and hand packed (this involves putting a dob of grease on your hand and pressing it into bearings until completely filled (no voids and grease is pressed out other side), then re-installing the bearings on the spindle. Hardest part with that is replacing the races (outer ring) if they're worn, although you can re-use if they are in good condition (requires and hammer, punch to remove from the hub and a piece of same diameter pipe for re-install to seat properly and easily).
I'm pretty sure you can add a bearing buddy (from what I remember) to the regular set-up without removing the bearings from the spindle as it basically replaces the dust cap, but its a good idea to check for bearing and race for wear and corrosion. Fresh water can still cause corrosion. Main issue is driving long distances and dropping warm or hot hubs in cold water. this causes shrinkage and sucks water into the assembly. If not pushed out water stays trapped. If the bearings are very old the other concern is the inner seal. Inspect and make sure your grease isn't just going straight out he back of the hub.
If you're relativity mechanically inclined (can change the oil in your truck or pads on disc brakes) this might be a two hour job first time, assuming you'll have some difficulty removing and re-installing the races. watch a couple YouTube videos to get a good idea. This is a really handy skill to have if you blow a bearing on the road as this can be done roadside fairly quick if the race has not been compromised (gouged , worn etc.) and even if they have been compromised you can usually get back on the road and to better equipped facilities.
http://thetrailerguys.ca/index.php?main_page=page&id=4 for regular setup.
The BB are super easy for maintenance and BB installation isreally easy. To re-grease (re-pack) existing bearing, at the very least you should replace the bearings as the existing bearing have to be completely removed and hand packed (this involves putting a dob of grease on your hand and pressing it into bearings until completely filled (no voids and grease is pressed out other side), then re-installing the bearings on the spindle. Hardest part with that is replacing the races (outer ring) if they're worn, although you can re-use if they are in good condition (requires and hammer, punch to remove from the hub and a piece of same diameter pipe for re-install to seat properly and easily).
I'm pretty sure you can add a bearing buddy (from what I remember) to the regular set-up without removing the bearings from the spindle as it basically replaces the dust cap, but its a good idea to check for bearing and race for wear and corrosion. Fresh water can still cause corrosion. Main issue is driving long distances and dropping warm or hot hubs in cold water. this causes shrinkage and sucks water into the assembly. If not pushed out water stays trapped. If the bearings are very old the other concern is the inner seal. Inspect and make sure your grease isn't just going straight out he back of the hub.
If you're relativity mechanically inclined (can change the oil in your truck or pads on disc brakes) this might be a two hour job first time, assuming you'll have some difficulty removing and re-installing the races. watch a couple YouTube videos to get a good idea. This is a really handy skill to have if you blow a bearing on the road as this can be done roadside fairly quick if the race has not been compromised (gouged , worn etc.) and even if they have been compromised you can usually get back on the road and to better equipped facilities.
-
romandesign
- Engineer
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:48 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
Thanks! I think for now I will just buy a set of bearing buddies, because then I won't need to mess with replacing bearings, and can put them on as is, and I have a infrared thermometer so I can monitor hub temperature after trailering, to see if it overheats. I don't trailer a lot and not to great distances, and so was the previous owner who only had it for 1 season of light use. The first owner apparently kept it on the water (lots of black bottom growth), and it's not fitted for cruising (no stove installed, no instrumentation etc.), so I guess not much trailering as well. Now what model of bearing buddy would be right for 1989 Macgregor trailer? How do I determine that?
- yukonbob
- Admiral
- Posts: 1918
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:54 pm
- Sailboat: Other
- Location: Whitehorse Yukon
Re: Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
Personally I just called BWY as from what I can tell the bearings are rather an odd size, and they had the correct size BB in stock. Just make sure you have the trailer serial number as sometimes the trailers are different years than the boats that sit on them.
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6800
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Re: Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
http://www.boatus.com/magazine/traileri ... arings.asp
http://www.boatus.com/magazine/traileri ... g_art3_915
Also, if you Google “how to change wheel bearings”, you will get a wealth of information.
Ray
http://www.boatus.com/magazine/traileri ... g_art3_915
Also, if you Google “how to change wheel bearings”, you will get a wealth of information.
Ray
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romandesign
- Engineer
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:48 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
Thanks a lot to everyone, I got Reese wheel bearing protectors from Canadian Tire (similar to Bearing Buddy), grease gin and marine grease. I installed it to the wheel that was lacking it and pumped with fresh grease. The other one, once I cleaned it from grime turned out precisely the same model from what I can tell, so I left it in place, just refilled the grease (it was depressed so it was low on grease). Should do OK for now. I will also monitor temperature after towing to see warning signs of worn bearings.
- yukonbob
- Admiral
- Posts: 1918
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:54 pm
- Sailboat: Other
- Location: Whitehorse Yukon
Re: Greasing the trailer wheel bearings - different wheels?
After your next trip with it, when you re-grease watch and see what comes out of it i.e. clear water, brown water or brown or grey grease or metal fillings in it. If any of the above I'd replace your bearings. It really is quite easy. And as mentioned by Niceaft an internet search will give you loads of insight.
