Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

I have a 3-ton jack (for me to change my winter tires on my car), and now I
am trying to change a flatten tire on my 16' trailer of my boat, but I am a
little bit confused..I can't find lifting point, where should I put the
jack? any idea?

Also, do I need to grease the wheel bearing on the trailer wheel? Can I use
WD-40, just spray?

Boating Newbie

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

As I understand your situation:

Put the 3-Ton on the floor.
If it's unstable, put it on a board.
Put some wood block above the jack.
Lifting point is some part of the trailer frame before or aft of the tire

Be sure other side tires are blocked and tongue is held firmly in place
(maybe by having toungue attached to two vehicle) so trailer won't move.

If all of the above is still unstable, you could also lift one side
of the wheel (say in front of it) and block that up. Then remove
your jack to the rear side of the tire and lift that. Could block
that up.

Whatever you do...just be CAREFUL that the trailer
is stable.


Wheel bearings need greasing. No, not WD40. Use real grease. Some
have a fitting for a grease gun. Others do not.

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

n0sPaM wrote:

I have a 3-ton jack (for me to change my winter tires on my car), and now I
am trying to change a flatten tire on my 16' trailer of my boat, but I am a
little bit confused..I can't find lifting point, where should I put the
jack? any idea?

That's easy. Just place the jack under the axle or under the trailer
springs where the axel is attached. Be sure to secure the other wheel
with blocks from rolling forward and backward.

Also, do I need to grease the wheel bearing on the trailer wheel? Can I use
WD-40, just spray?

NO!!! Don't use WD-40 on your wheel bearings. It's way to liquid and
will wash out your grease. You actually do more harm than good. Best
thing to do is to take apart the wheel bearings, clean them and repack
the grease.

Also an important thins is to make sure all tires are the same
dimension. When I bought my boat with trailer one tire was 1/2 inch
smaller in diameter than the other. That pretty much killed the bearing
on the smaller wheel.

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

"n0sPaM" wrote in message
le.rogers.com...

I have a 3-ton jack (for me to change my winter tires on my car), and now
I
am trying to change a flatten tire on my 16' trailer of my boat, but I am
a
little bit confused..I can't find lifting point, where should I put the
jack? any idea?

Assuming a floor or bottle jack, anywhere on the frame closest
to the wheel. Make sure the jack is stable - use a jack stand or
a building block as a safety.

Also, do I need to grease the wheel bearing on the trailer wheel? Can I
use
WD-40, just spray?

As somebody else said NO NO NO!!!

Remove the bearings and repack - it's a simple operation.

http://www.plantservices.com/Web_Fir...D/CBOH-5CSQMR/

Also, get thee hence to NAPA and pickest thou upest some
Never Seize (or equivalent) - it's a white grease, aluminum,
graphite compound designed to prevent rust welding - believe
me, you can torque the wheel nuts, submerge the trailer for
years and the lug nuts will spin off slick as slop sliding down
hill. I use it on everything that requires immersion in salt or fresh
water - works great.

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 20:59:41 GMT, "n0sPaM"
wrote:


I have a 3-ton jack (for me to change my winter tires on my car), and now I
am trying to change a flatten tire on my 16' trailer of my boat, but I am a
little bit confused..I can't find lifting point, where should I put the
jack? any idea?

Also, do I need to grease the wheel bearing on the trailer wheel? Can I use
WD-40, just spray?

Boating Newbie


The other posters have given good advice.

One comment- your wheel bearings do need to be greased from time to
time (I do mine annually), but you don't *have* to grease the bearings
when you change a flat tire. It's a good procedure to learn, though.

noah

Courtesy of Lee Yeaton,
See the boats of rec.boats
www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 22:43:20 GMT, "Rural Knight"
wrote:


"n0sPaM" wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...

I have a 3-ton jack (for me to change my winter tires on my car), and now
I
am trying to change a flatten tire on my 16' trailer of my boat, but I am
a
little bit confused..I can't find lifting point, where should I put the
jack? any idea?

Assuming a floor or bottle jack, anywhere on the frame closest
to the wheel. Make sure the jack is stable - use a jack stand or
a building block as a safety.

Also, do I need to grease the wheel bearing on the trailer wheel? Can I
use
WD-40, just spray?

As somebody else said NO NO NO!!!

Remove the bearings and repack - it's a simple operation.

http://www.plantservices.com/Web_Fir...D/CBOH-5CSQMR/

Also, get thee hence to NAPA and pickest thou upest some
Never Seize (or equivalent) - it's a white grease, aluminum,
graphite compound designed to prevent rust welding - believe
me, you can torque the wheel nuts, submerge the trailer for
years and the lug nuts will spin off slick as slop sliding down
hill. I use it on everything that requires immersion in salt or fresh
water - works great.



"...slick as slop sliding down hill." LMAO!!!!

Are you sure you're not a "country boy"? :o)
noah

Courtesy of Lee Yeaton,
See the boats of rec.boats
www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

"noah" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 22:43:20 GMT, "Rural Knight"
wrote:


"n0sPaM" wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...

I have a 3-ton jack (for me to change my winter tires on my car), and
now
I
am trying to change a flatten tire on my 16' trailer of my boat, but I
am
a
little bit confused..I can't find lifting point, where should I put the
jack? any idea?

Assuming a floor or bottle jack, anywhere on the frame closest
to the wheel. Make sure the jack is stable - use a jack stand or
a building block as a safety.

Also, do I need to grease the wheel bearing on the trailer wheel? Can I
use
WD-40, just spray?

As somebody else said NO NO NO!!!

Remove the bearings and repack - it's a simple operation.

http://www.plantservices.com/Web_Fir...D/CBOH-5CSQMR/

Also, get thee hence to NAPA and pickest thou upest some
Never Seize (or equivalent) - it's a white grease, aluminum,
graphite compound designed to prevent rust welding - believe
me, you can torque the wheel nuts, submerge the trailer for
years and the lug nuts will spin off slick as slop sliding down
hill. I use it on everything that requires immersion in salt or fresh
water - works great.

"...slick as slop sliding down hill." LMAO!!!!

Are you sure you're not a "country boy"? :o)

LOL!!

Well, to tell the truth, I am now - I never used to be.

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

n0sPaM wrote:


Also, do I need to grease the wheel bearing on the trailer wheel? Can I use
WD-40, just spray?

NO you can't just spray WD-40 into your trailer bearings. Great as this stuff
is, it is not a substitute for hi-temp grease. WD-40 will lubricate the surface
but will not distribute heat nor will it maintain lubrication on a hot surface
for any duration. Of course, if you are only driving the trailer 100 yards it
might work OK.....

Marine rated grease is best, but cheaper white lithium grease will do.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

You pretty much get the point that WD 40 isn't sufficient for the wheel
bearings... Here's a little advice from experiences from the past
weekend... Don't use cheap grease, get the best grease that you can
possibly get your hands on! Don't mix synthetic grease with non-synthetic!
If you have bearing buddies, don't count on them getting grease to the
inside bearings, take the hub apart every fall, after you take the boat out
for the winter and re-pack the bearings. This will ensure that he bearings
are dry and well greased while sitting over the winter.

As for jacking the trailer... attach it to the car. If you jack from the
axle, get as close to the wheel as possible, don't jack on the middle of the
axle. I would prefer that you don't jack from in front of the wheel. You
don't need to go too far forward of the wheel to get in front of the centre
of gravity, and then a ton of weight will be exerted on the tongue of the
trailer when the wheels come off the ground.

I had one of my hubs overheat this past weekend. I didn't bother to pack
the back bearing after pulling the boat out last fall. They were brand new,
only 400 miles on them, and I packed them when I put them in, so I didn't
bother. I also think that the seals were defective. The bearings
overheated, cooked off all of the grease and cracked the hubs from the heat.
I'm surprised that the whole works didn't catch fire. Too be honest, I've
never seen anything like it. I am very luck that the wheel didn't fly off!
The net result was that my axle was ruined in addition to the hub. Luckily,
axle assemblies aren't that expensive. $225.00 including tax, got the axle
assembly, including two new hubs and the U-bolts to attach it to the
trailer. Incidentally, the original axle on my trailer was square, and I
was unable to get a square replacement axle. They are all round now, which
is why I needed replacement U-Bolts. I think that I would have changed them
anyway, they aren't expensive!!

Too make a long story short, it's an ugly situation to have your trailer
crap out along the highway because your bearings failed. Think about
jacking it up with cars zipping past you. Take care of your bearings!!!

--
Paul Fowler
(905) 478-2862

"n0sPaM" wrote in message
le.rogers.com...

I have a 3-ton jack (for me to change my winter tires on my car), and now
I
am trying to change a flatten tire on my 16' trailer of my boat, but I am
a
little bit confused..I can't find lifting point, where should I put the
jack? any idea?

Also, do I need to grease the wheel bearing on the trailer wheel? Can I
use
WD-40, just spray?

Boating Newbie

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

"pfowlerc228" a écrit dans le message de
le.rogers.com...
You pretty much get the point that WD 40 isn't sufficient for the wheel
bearings...

WD40 is a cleaner/solvent. I've never considered it a lubricant.


As for jacking the trailer... attach it to the car.

Clever, but simple tip! Although, usually when tires go flat, Murphy's Law
dictates that you be on the road in heavy traffic, it's either raining hard
or 120 degrees in the shade, and the edge of the road is one foot narrower
than your boat.

However, I have changed tires in the driveway and relied only on my
hand-made custom chocks. The whole thing -would- be much more secure with
the van as an anchor.

I had one of my hubs overheat this past weekend. I didn't bother to pack
the back bearing after pulling the boat out last fall. They were brand
new,
only 400 miles on them, and I packed them when I put them in, so I didn't
bother. I also think that the seals were defective. The bearings
overheated, cooked off all of the grease and cracked the hubs from the
heat.
I'm surprised that the whole works didn't catch fire. Too be honest, I've
never seen anything like it. I am very luck that the wheel didn't fly
off!

I carry a spare bearing in the bag with my jack. I've not had to use it in
the five years I bought it, so I consider it a good luck charm. God grant
me the ears to hear the noise or feel the vibration if the bearing actually
goes while I'm towing!

What makes you think the Bearing Buddies don't do a complete lube job? Do
you see voids in the grease when you take it apart in the fall? ps: it was
hard to remember that I had white wheels until I invested two bucks on a
pair of the caps ("bras" as they call them). Plus, with them on, I go
through half as much grease!
--
"Stay calm. Be brave. Wait for the signs."

Frank Johansen
Aurora, Ontario

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

"Buck Frobisher" wrote in message
.. .
What makes you think the Bearing Buddies don't do a complete lube job? Do
you see voids in the grease when you take it apart in the fall? ps: it
was
hard to remember that I had white wheels until I invested two bucks on a
pair of the caps ("bras" as they call them). Plus, with them on, I go
through half as much grease!

Frank,

What do you mean by caps? Are they the same as hubcaps or wheel covers?
Where do you get them?

Thanks,
-Darren

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

He is talking about the caps that go over the Bearing Buddies.
See: http://www.bearingbuddy.com/bra.html

Darren M. wrote:
"Buck Frobisher" wrote in message
.. .

What makes you think the Bearing Buddies don't do a complete lube job? Do
you see voids in the grease when you take it apart in the fall? ps: it

was

hard to remember that I had white wheels until I invested two bucks on a
pair of the caps ("bras" as they call them). Plus, with them on, I go
through half as much grease!


Frank,

What do you mean by caps? Are they the same as hubcaps or wheel covers?
Where do you get them?

Thanks,
-Darren

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

Thanks for the info and website!

"Claus" wrote in message
...
He is talking about the caps that go over the Bearing Buddies.
See: http://www.bearingbuddy.com/bra.html

Darren M. wrote:
"Buck Frobisher" wrote in message
.. .

What makes you think the Bearing Buddies don't do a complete lube job?
Do
you see voids in the grease when you take it apart in the fall? ps: it

was

hard to remember that I had white wheels until I invested two bucks on a
pair of the caps ("bras" as they call them). Plus, with them on, I go
through half as much grease!


Frank,

What do you mean by caps? Are they the same as hubcaps or wheel covers?
Where do you get them?

Thanks,
-Darren

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

Sorry for being so late in responding... The original question as to why
the bearing buddies don't do a complete lube job was directed at my
statement not to count on them lubing the back bearings. In most cases, the
rear bearings won't benefit from the bearing buddies, to the extent that you
could feel comfortable in ingoring them and assuming that they are receiving
adequate lubrication from the bearing buddies. Between the front bearing
and the rear bearing is a rather large gap, which may or may not be filled
with grease. That depends on whether you or someone else pumped grease into
the cavity when re-assembling the hub. At any rate, there is nowhere for
the grease to go to the rear of the hub. Some grease may get past the axle
seal, but you really don't want that seal to be compromised. If too much
grease does get past, you should replace the seal. Depending on the quality
of grease that you are using, it may liquify and run out of the seal, and
conversely, water may run in through the seal. However, there are axles on
some trailers with relief ports, that allow the grease to be forced through
the rear bearing, and into the hollow axle, preventing the seal from being
compromised. Sounds good to me, I which my axles had that feature!

The bottom line is that bearing buddies are great for maintaining your
bearings for the season, but a really great idea would be to re-pack them
after taking the boat out of the water for winter storage.

--
Paul Fowler


"Darren M." wrote in message
le.rogers.com...

"Buck Frobisher" wrote in message
.. .
What makes you think the Bearing Buddies don't do a complete lube job?
Do
you see voids in the grease when you take it apart in the fall? ps: it
was
hard to remember that I had white wheels until I invested two bucks on a
pair of the caps ("bras" as they call them). Plus, with them on, I go
through half as much grease!

Frank,

What do you mean by caps? Are they the same as hubcaps or wheel covers?
Where do you get them?

Thanks,
-Darren

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

snip

When you repack your bearings, do you always replace the races, too?

You replace bearings in sets; the rollers and races are a matched set.

Mark Browne

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

"Mark Browne" wrote in message
news:bgZYa.101736$uu5.14938@sccrnsc04...
snip

When you repack your bearings, do you always replace the races, too?

You replace bearings in sets; the rollers and races are a matched set.

Mark Browne



They are not matched sets. But you chance both at the same time as if one
is bad the other will be bad also.
Bill

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

"Mark Browne" wrote in
news:bgZYa.101736$uu5.14938@sccrnsc04:

snip

When you repack your bearings, do you always replace the races, too?

You replace bearings in sets; the rollers and races are a matched set.

Mark Browne



Why in the world would you replace the races when repacking the bearings,
assuming they weren't damagaed. Now if you are replacing the bearings, as
opposed to repacking them, then its a good idea to replace the races as
well.

Trailer - Tire change and wheel bearing question
 

"Mark Browne" wrote in message
news:bgZYa.101736$uu5.14938@sccrnsc04...
snip

When you repack your bearings, do you always replace the races, too?

You replace bearings in sets; the rollers and races are a matched set.

Mark Browne


Ahem, it occurs to me that you may be asking aout the *seals*.
If this is the case, Then yes, I ususally spend the few bucks and replace
the seals every time I pull the hub.

Mark Browne