trailer question about wheel hub

[D. Forster]

I have a '79 vintage trailer. I put the boat in a marina several months ago and stored the trailer in my back yard. Now the wheels are frozen even though the bearing buddies are all greased up.I went to take the hub apart. Got the tire off ok. Then saw 4 bolts apparently holding the hub in place from the inside of the trailer. Two of the bolts turned but just turned and didn't come out. Am I doing something wrong? Just want to inspect inside to see whats going wrong.Any ideas for buying an entirely new hub?

 

[Brad Williams]

New hub?

I don't know that you need a new hub, just because your bearings are frozen.Why did they freeze? Maybe the bearings weren't properly greased to begin with. I don't think the bearing buddies do much greasing.....they primarily ensure that the bearing compartment doesn't get water in it. The newer models of units do actually grease the bearings....the old bearing buddies don't.But I digress. You may want to replace the bearings and races...again, I question why you think about the hubs.Are you talking a trailer with brakes. If so, you should be able to remove the brake drum via several flat head screws from the outside part of the wheel. I'm guessing that with the drum off, then you'll be able to see why those bolts from the back side are spinning.Good Luck,Brad

 

[john renfro]

stuck

hello d.forster, unless you have trailer brakes, the only thing holding the hub to the axle is a big nut on the on the spindle behind the bearing buddy.if you have breaks then the shoes may have rusted to the inside of the drums.good luck john

 

[mg]

hubs

the bolts hold the brake assymbly . to pull the hub you should get it with a couple of screwdrivers and wedge it off. it not borrow a wheelpuller that slides over the tire studs and screws down on the spindle. make sure there is a piece of wood in there so as not to mar the spindle. my guess is that the brakes stuck "on" and if you are not repacking the bearings every year you ought to . bearing buddies dont really grease the bearings or keep the water out. the grease breaks down after a while due to the water. and the seal wears as well. you can run a car bearing without repacking but not a trailer that goes under water. by the way if you ever dunk the rear end of your truck past the hub . repack that too and dont forget the vent on the differential which can go under at times some vents are higher up but some are located lower on the unit and with no vent hose. a buddy went out fourwheeling and went through a creek . didnt think about the bearings or diff. cost him plenty a few months later. good luck