What happens when a trailer bearing fails?
What happens when a trailer bearing fails?
A damaged wheel bearing does not only cause a vehicle to be shaky and noisy; it can also cost you more money by damaging other nearby parts, and even force your entire wheel to fly off when driving at high speed.
What does a bad trailer wheel bearing sound like?
Listen for any squeaks, grinding noises, clicking or any other sound emanating from the trailer wheels. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the opposite side of the trailer. If you hear any noises, the wheel bearing is defective or needs lubrication.
When should you replace trailer bearings?
Expert Reply: We recommended to repack the wheel bearings on your trailer every 12 months or 12,000 miles. There is not a specific guideline as far as actually replacing the bearings. When repacking them with grease, you will also just want to check for any damage or wear and replace anything if needed.
Why do trailer wheel bearings go bad?
There are five primary causes of bearing failures. They are: lack of lubrication, overloading the vehicle, installing the axle nut too tight, or installing the axle nut too loose, contamination of the grease due to missing / defective grease caps and seals.
How do you know if bearings are bad?
Top Warning Signs Your Wheel Bearings Need Replacement
- Humming Noise. The most easily identifiable and most common symptom of bad wheel bearings is an audible one.
- Squealing, Growling.
- Clicking Sound.
- Wheel Wobble.
- ABS Failure.
- Uneven Tire Wear.
- Vehicle Pulls to One Side.
- Steering Wheel Vibration.
How much does it cost to replace bearings on a trailer?
Some Class A RV owners have stated that it cost anything from $300 to $500 to replace the bearings. Depending on how much you use your trailer and how many miles you get on it, you can wait till about 20,000 miles before your wheel bearing has to be repacked.
How often should you Grease travel trailer wheel bearings?
Some manufacturers recommend inspecting and greasing an RV’s wheel bearings once every season, or at least every 10,000 miles. But boat trailers with small wheels require re-packing every 2,000 miles. Generally, the smaller the tire, the faster the wheels spin, which puts stress on the bearings.
How do you check wheel bearings on trailer?
How to Check Trailer Wheel Bearings. Pry the protective cap off the end of the axle with a slotted screw driver. Remove the cotter pin which locks the end bolt in place. Loosen the nut which secures hub to the axle and then slide the hub off. Remove the two bearings from each end of the hub. Inspect the bearings for abnormal wear.
Are there sealed bearings on boat trailers?
To limit the amount of grease that is lost when the trailer is put in the water, boat trailers have rubber caps that seal the bearings from the outside. A new wheel bearing will provide great protection, however, even the best trailers on the market will eventually need to have wheel bearings replaced.
