Trailer bearings?

D

davidwalton

Member
Just wondering where folks are going to get trailer bearings and seals? Seems like everything is Chinese anymore or you pay an arm and a leg for USA bearings. I've got to do bearings in the little trailer I just picked up for the sneakboat. It's a small axle with the 4 lug pattern. Don't know if I should go to Northern Tool or somewhere similar that has the hubs and bearings all together or get individual parts and how the quality is from different places. Any advice y'all have is much appreciated!
 
Timken bearings are still made in USA..... and reasonably priced as far as I recall.
Never had to replace many, always been fussy about lubrication, and maintenance.
 
This is just me but when it comes to bearings, I usually just replace the hub with all included. I've actually busted hubs pressing out old bearings/races and/or pressing new ones in. For me, I'd rather spend $100 on two new hubs versus sometimes a couple hours fussing with trying to get everything out and in. Even my Load Rite trailer hubs aren't too bad. $40 a hub with the grease fittings already installed.

The only time I have ever replaced races/bearings is on larger heavy weight trailers.
 
I took the same approach last time I rebuilt my trailer, just bought new hubs along with the new axle and springs.
I figure if my axle and springs are shot from saltwater corrosion, then might as well not take a chance with the hubs.

That said, if all your boating is freshwater (vs 99% salt/brackish for me) and you don't have corrosion making work difficult, maybe just the bearings.
I keep a set from Academy in my tool box.
 
I used the china bearings on a few trailers. Ended up going to a truck parts supply and got timkin parts. I only use timkin now, just like the piece of mind.
Years ago we drilled out the inside of the hubs and instilled a grease fitting. This way grease went from the inside through the bearing through a hole in the cap, never had a bad one. Not worth the hassle.
 
When installing them be sure to use a torque wrench so that way you will never have to worry about one coming loose. Been doing them like that for 30+ years. Use either timken or sks bearings
 
I've done plenty of bearings and just finished a set of front unit bearings on my 90's suburban. I asked this because I had never used the hub and bearing kits and I'm sure they are all Chinese parts. It's just that as I get a little older I don't enjoy working on stuff as much as I used to. The kits ready to put in started seem like an easy way to go. But I'm not sold on China parts. So I wanted to have y'alls opinions. I think I'll pull a hub and see if I can get part numbers and go from there. Thanks for the comments!
 
davidwalton said:
I've done plenty of bearings and just finished a set of front unit bearings on my 90's suburban. I asked this because I had never used the hub and bearing kits and I'm sure they are all Chinese parts. It's just that as I get a little older I don't enjoy working on stuff as much as I used to. The kits ready to put in started seem like an easy way to go. But I'm not sold on China parts. So I wanted to have y'alls opinions. I think I'll pull a hub and see if I can get part numbers and go from there. Thanks for the comments!
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Some of the newer cars/trucks you actually cannot even replace the bearings. My wife's Nissan Altima I had a bad wheel bearing and I just bought the whole hub for $110. They sell the hub as a whole unit. What make is the trailer? I had an old homemade trailer before my recent Load Rite. I bought the hub right off etrailer for like $40, bearings/races installed pre-greased.
 
I'm not sure who made the trailer. I think it is a cox.

My suburban has same type bearings on the front. You have to buy the whole hub assembly.
 
for what its worth to the group - I work for a bearing distributor for 18yrs. I know a little about bearings, so thought I'd share.
Timken makes the steel for most major bearing manufacturers outside of china. Timken supplies wheel bearings to auto industry( #1 supplier).
In bearings, you do get what you pay for - I see a lot of junk come out of China - cause premature failures depending on the application.
In my boat trailer, it's Timken & Timken only. NTN is another quality brand at a slightly less price.
other than those, I would never install any other brand in my hubs.
The #1 cause of bearing failure = lubrication (lack of, or, too much).
I suggest using bearings buddies, too.

Hope that helps you in your decision.
 
Timken always comes up when talking quality bearings. Unfortunately I didn't use Timken parts. I had a bad hub. Pulled them all apart and one hub was bad. It had been chewed up inside and the outer bearing was sitting too far inward. I picked up hub assemblies from Northen Tool and installed them last night. They will do for the time being. I will keep a close eye on them and replace bearings next year or before any long trip. As of now the boat is in need of refurbishment and any trips would be close by anyways. Much better than what was in it as they got hot when I brought it home and wasn't sure I'd even make it.
 
davidwalton said:
Timken always comes up when talking quality bearings. Unfortunately I didn't use Timken parts. I had a bad hub. Pulled them all apart and one hub was bad. It had been chewed up inside and the outer bearing was sitting too far inward. I picked up hub assemblies from Northen Tool and installed them last night. They will do for the time being. I will keep a close eye on them and replace bearings next year or before any long trip. As of now the boat is in need of refurbishment and any trips would be close by anyways. Much better than what was in it as they got hot when I brought it home and wasn't sure I'd even make it.
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As long as your axles and spindles are proper size to the hubs/bearings and have no gouges or wear, you should be good. If you find yourself in this situation again, it's probably the axles/spindles. Warped from heat, bent, etc will all eventually kill the bearings.

Pre-maintenance goes a long way. My last Load Rite trailer had rear grease fittings. They were a pain to reach but after every 2-3 dunks in saltwater, I would pump grease through the back and wipe the old out of the front. Also, it's worth mentioning that you'll more than likely need to re-seat those hubs by slightly tightening the castle nut after a trip or two. Too much slop or too tight will kill the bearings too.
 
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