Unpleasant Surprise Today

[caguy]

The Admiral and I were ready for a day on the water, but when we got to the mast up storage lot I noticed that the wheel was tweeked. It looks like the bearing have fallen apart. I'll know better if there was and damage to the hub when I take the drum off. You can see one of the rollers sitting on the fender.

I must confess that I have neglected the bearings since I only drive 100 yds from the lot to the ramp. Hopefully bearings and seals will be easy to find.

 

[sailaway78]

Probably

The 100 yards is probably part of the reason. Any water that seeps into the bearings is not going to get dried out from heat from pulling the trailer any distance.

 

[caguy]

The 100 yards is probably part of the reason. Any water that seeps into the bearings is not going to get dried out from heat from pulling the trailer any distance.

Good point.

 

[Tim R.]

Rebuild both sides and add bearing buddies.

 

[caguy]

Rebuild both sides and add bearing buddies.

It has bearing buddies. What's missing are the rubber caps that go on the bearing.

 

[Timo42]

Frank, I may have a couple of used hubs and bearings to tide you over if you have standard 5lug drums.

 

[hman]

Your local Napa Auto Supply carries the bearings, hubs and brakes already mounted on the backing plate...How do I know this? Just finished the same problem yesterday...LOL

 

[caguy]

Frank, I may have a couple of used hubs and bearings to tide you over if you have standard 5lug drums.

I'm not sure about the size. The bearing look larger than the Mac 25's. I'll be pulling it off tomorrow. When I changed out the bearing on the Luger they were an odd size and it took several weeks before I lucked on to a supplier and bought his last old stock. I hope these are more standard. I bought the boat from a trailer maker so he may be able to help out if that is the case. I'll keep you posted.
Did you get out this weekend? We sat on the beach at Manhattan Pier and watched sailboats coming out of Redondo. Nice wind but looked a little choppy.

 

[Chris Patterson]

The good news is, is at that distance, there's probably not much critical damage to the spindles, or hub. The rubber boots are not a concern. They do little, if anything MUCH, to keep water out. The positive pressure created in the hub by grease pressure pushing outwards on a spring is the "secret". The rubber boots do keep out dirt, scum, etc, from mucking up the zerk fitting, but I like to keep them off. With the boot removed, the distance of the fitting plate, in relation of the hub, is a quick visual indicator if it needs a shot of grease. And I can more effectively rinse out the outer with fresh water, as appose to letting salt, or brack water sitting in the hubs. Which it will do..

 

[caguy]

I think I will test your hypothesis by putting the caps on. I will try sealing with bees wax I'll then remove them when I get back to my space at mast up, to see if there is any trapped water.
Pulling the drums off will also give me a chance to take a look at the condition of the brakes. I also need to look at the master cylinder, the Luger was bone dry when I picked it up. It was brand new with fluid in it a couple of years ago. I have concern about what water coming in through the master cylinder vent hole has done to it.

 

[RobertLangdirect]

Keep us updated and if you can, keep a photo record of the project. It will help others later!


Wish you only the best of progress on the repair!

 

[Timo42]

No wind Sunday, motored over to the Iowa, got yelled at for being within 100',:naughty: I was right around 100 or so, but he had a gun, I wasn't arguing.:dance: I'll be at the shop for a while if you need anything Sat.