Wheel Bearings for original trailers?

[HeelBoy]

I need to replace mine, and I have no idea what size to buy. Its the factory original 1985 trailer for a Mac 25.
I'd like to have the parts in hand when I take the hub apart, rather than leaving it a mess as I run to the parts shop.

What have you all bought to replace these? Thanks in advance

 

[JBP-PA]

Alas, I've always had to take the hub apart first, then take the old bearing to the auto parts store where they figure out the correct replacement.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

The part number is usually etched in the bearing. If not, then you can measure the hub to figure out the correct size

 

[Joe]

My experience with those lightweight 2 wheel sailboat trailers is they pretty much all use the same bearing sets, you can find them anywhere. I bought mine off the shelf at WalMart. Anyway, I can't imagine how much time you're going to save doing it this way, since you'll have to remove the wheel and bearing cover anyway. Just pull out the old one, leave the trailer jacked up, run down to pep boys, or walmart or whereever and match up it up. This way you're guaranteed to only make one trip. While you're at the store is also a good time to buy a set of "bearing buddies" to replace the bearing caps with a grease gun nipple and reservoir. Also look for one of those of those mini grease guns that can be kept in your tool box.

 

[Rick Webb]

You cannot load up grease in your bearing using bearing buddies.

Hand packing bearing is an easy process and takes minutes to do all four bearings. While you are at it do an extra set and keep in a ziplock as a spare. Better yet, a prepacked spare hub is an excellent addition to your kit.

The only use for bearing buddies is to top off the grease in your hub. Many guys over grease their trailers bearings using them when you hook up your grease gun and start to put grease in as soon as the plunger in the buddy bearing starts to move stop, you are full. If you continue to insert grease until it comes out of the weep hole as some advocate you are going to blow out the seal on your hub and sling grease all over your boat and trailer.