Popped bearing buddies?

[lew]

I still cannot believe that trailers (of all types) are still using tapered roller bearings, that need servicing on an annual basis. Why haven't they gone with sealed bearing/hub assemblies; they've been used for automotive applications for years.

Is it cost?

 

Dan

 

Same as trailer wiring Dan, you'd think in the 21st century they could design some sort of system that wasn't always having issues. I can't recall the last time I ever had a problem with truck lights yet it seems most folks with trailers have lighting problems at one time or another even if it's not a boat trailer constantly in & out of the water.

 

I had a custom boat trailer built a couple years back with LED lights and they've been flawless until yesterday when I hooked it to the truck for the 1st time this year and noticed the trailer lights flickering.

 

You'd think something with as few miles as a boat trailer on it would last a bit longer.

Edited May 13, 2015 by lew

[Sinker]

 

Same as trailer wiring Dan, you'd think in the 21st century they could design some sort of system that wasn't always having issues. I can't recall the last time I ever had a problem with truck lights yet it seems most folks with trailers have lighting problems at one time or another even if it's not a boat trailer constantly in & out of the water.

 

I had a custom boat trailer built a couple years back with LED lights and they've been flawless until yesterday when I hooked it to the truck for the 1st time this year and noticed the trailer lights flickering.

 

You'd think something with as few miles as a boat trailer on it would last a bit longer.

Its hard to keep a good ground on a trailer. I've been lucky for a while now, with no light problems on mine, but I've ran a dedicated ground to each light from the plug. Works great.

 

S.

[Garnet]

Sinker do have Unique bearing system common on EZ Loader Custom Trailers. Skeeters and Sprint have them.

 

They have a cigar like stainless steel ring with a hole in it. Also have odd size seal on inside. I spent $160 to have one of these rings overnighted from Washington. Part $1

[lew]

Its hard to keep a good ground on a trailer.

 

Exactly what I'm talking about Shane, seems to me they should be able to design something that doesn't always cause so much aggravation.

[mark demmery]

I have found a bit of that Pemtex black gasket maker around the plastic caps keeps them in place nicely. A quick slice with an exacto knife makes it easy to remove when its rebuild time...

[Fisherman]

I still cannot believe that trailers (of all types) are still using tapered roller bearings, that need servicing on an annual basis. Why haven't they gone with sealed bearing/hub assemblies; they've been used for automotive applications for years.

Is it cost?

 

Dan

I don't think there's too many cars and trucks being driven with their axles underwater. In most occassions(in your manual) it says to check axle lube if you do such things as fording or getting your axles underwater.

[SirCranksalot]

 

Exactly what I'm talking about Shane, seems to me they should be able to design something that doesn't always cause so much aggravation.

 

 

Exactly indeed!! I had a tent trailer quite a few years ago. The amount of time I spent in the driveway and on the lawn cursing and trying to get the lights to work is astounding.

[fishindevil]

oh ya i have invented new swear words over trailer lighting issues...its relentless and never ending ...like shane saids its hard to keep a ground on a trailer....

[DanD]

I don't think there's too many cars and trucks being driven with their axles underwater. In most occassions(in your manual) it says to check axle lube if you do such things as fording or getting your axles underwater.

 

No I guess not.

But I wonder how many cars & truck that are driven year round, in all kinds of conditions for hundreds of thousands of kms and have never had to replace a sealed non serviceable wheel bearing/hub assembly; that are being used on better than 90% of today's vehicles?

I'm not saying they don't fail; but nowheres near as much as a tapered roller bearing set up; even ones that have been properly maintained.

 

Like you said, if you get the axle (AKA Differential) below water; you had better check for contaminated axle lube.

 

Dan.

Edited May 13, 2015 by DanD

[irishfield]

You mean this wonderful design Dan?? .. no thanks!

Edited May 13, 2015 by irishfield

[DRIFTER_016]

You mean this wonderful design Dan?? .. no thanks!

 

Yep, one of the first things to go on GM pickups are the fancy hub/bearing combos.

[irishfield]

Only thing holding the daughter in laws front wheel on her trailblazer was the rotor running inside the pad retainer frame. Thankfully a front mounted caliper, if it was rear mounted she'd very well be dead. It's a terrible design.. bearings are too close together to take the torsional load. I did those types of load calculations 'till the cows came home in my younger days.

 

Most vehicles are the same, I've put 3 hubs on Leah's 2003 Sporttrac... it has only 210K on it. First pair went at 55K under warrantee... and one of those was toast before it went home and back to Ford, so that's 6 now.

 

My '69 'Bee still has the original bearings on all 4 corners.

Edited May 13, 2015 by irishfield

[DRIFTER_016]

Never had an issue with any of my Honda's.

Some had well over 300,000 kms on them.

[DanD]

Like I said, yes they're not perfect and do fail at times; but I've also hear a lot of stories like Drifter's where they've put a crap load of miles on them and never had an issue?

I think with your daughter in law's vehicle, I would unplug her stereo; that way she'll be able to hear the next bearing failing, long before it got to the point it did. LOL

 

Dan.

Edited May 14, 2015 by DanD