Putting off boat trailer wheel bearing replacement? If bearings fail, wheels can literally fall off the vehicle, and your boat will definitely go sailing off in the sunset… Just not quite the way you’d envisioned. Bearings should be greased, taken apart and serviced at least once per year. But that’s not a hard and fast rule. Maintenance and replacement needs will vary based on frequency of trailer use, wear-and-tear from water, mud, and road conditions, and how well you kept up with (or ignored) bearing service needs over the year.
How Do I Know When My Trailer Wheel Bearings Need Repacking/Replacement?
The bearings on your boat trailer reduce friction, allowing trailer wheels to spin freely about the axle. This takes a constant supply of lubrication – bearing grease – which must be regularly replaced to prevent damage. Luckily, your trailer will drop little hints when bearing issues are imminent. Are you ignoring these signs of worn wheel bearings?
● Warm/Hot Hubs
Lack of lubrication can cause bearings to generate excessive heat. Carefully put your palm on the hub of each trailer tire. If it is too hot to comfortably handle or one is warmer than the other, this indicates the need for trailer bearing attention.
● Noise
Grinding, clicking, and squeaking from trailer wheels often indicate a worn or defective wheel bearing in need of replacement – or the need to repack bearings with grease.
● Grease in the Hub
When bearings seals go bad, grease can leak out and collect in the hub, and can even be blown into the fender.
● Lost/Loose Dust Cap
Dust caps often come loose when issues with the bearing assembly exist, and should be replaced when bearings are serviced.
Grease the Wheels of Progress
Your boating time is sacred. Don’t spend your weekend stuck on the side of the road. Contact Ainsworth to schedule wheel bearing maintenance for your trailer today.
