Posted 2012-04-21 9:10 AM (#143259) Subject: Bearings
Member
Posts: 5
Location: CA
I'm new to horse trailers - fixing one up for my wife's birthday.
I called local trailer joint to ask about having them check bearings, brakes, etc. They say the only way to check the bearings is to take them apart and once they take them apart they have to repack replace etc. anyway . . . huh?? That seems bogus to me.
Isn't there a way to check the bearings without dismantling them?
Posted 2012-04-21 9:43 AM (#143260 - in reply to #143259) Subject: RE: Bearings
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Nope.... You can jack up the trailer and shake the wheel, but that just lets you know you got one loose that probably need replacing anyway. Be sure to replace the grease seals while it's apart.
Posted 2012-04-21 7:58 PM (#143268 - in reply to #143259) Subject: RE: Bearings
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Stevevaus on 2012-04-21 9:10 AM
I'm new to horse trailers - fixing one up for my wife's birthday.
I called local trailer joint to ask about having them check bearings, brakes, etc. They say the only way to check the bearings is to take them apart and once they take them apart they have to repack replace etc. anyway . . . huh?? That seems bogus to me.
Isn't there a way to check the bearings without dismantling them?
It's No Big Deal...you should repack your trailer bearings once a year.
Posted 2012-04-21 8:16 PM (#143271 - in reply to #143259) Subject: RE: Bearings
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Originally written by Stevevaus on 2012-04-21 9:10 AM
I'm new to horse trailers - fixing one up for my wife's birthday.
I called local trailer joint to ask about having them check bearings, brakes, etc. They say the only way to check the bearings is to take them apart and once they take them apart they have to repack replace etc. anyway . . . huh?? That seems bogus to me.
Isn't there a way to check the bearings without dismantling them?
At the end of the day....they're correct.
You need to repack the bearings? Yes, you'll need a new grease seal. And once they have things "a part" they'll be able to see any unusual wear on the "timken" bearing and/or their respective races..
So yeah...to do the job "right" they need to pull it all apart.
Posted 2012-04-22 12:53 AM (#143281 - in reply to #143259) Subject: RE: Bearings
Expert
Posts: 2954 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Stevevaus on 2012-04-21 6:10 AM
I'm new to horse trailers - fixing one up for my wife's birthday. I called local trailer joint to ask about having them check bearings, brakes, etc. They say the only way to check the bearings is to take them apart and once they take them apart they have to repack replace etc. anyway . . . huh?? That seems bogus to me. Isn't there a way to check the bearings without dismantling them?
Yes ... there is a way to check bearings. Use an ultrasonic probe. Industry uses the technique on critical equipment. One will be able to detect a bearing on the way to failure. Most people just take the wheel apart and inspect, repack and replace the seal. ... Sure and cheap prevention.
Bearings
