Towing the trailer this past weekend and I lost one wheel bearing on Friday and another on the way home yesterday. 3hrs on the side of the road Friday, repaired and back on the road to our destination. Sunday on the way home we lost another wheel bearing on a different axle. This one chewed up half of the spindle threads to the point where they're not completely trashed but just enough where you can't get the castle nut on. Does anyone know if they make a repair kit for the threads besides a tap & die set? Any help would be appreciated as I really don't want to change out an axle just for the threads being messed up.

 

No ideas out there.....

 

Three wheel bearings in two days? Was this trailer submerged?

 

Try a three corner file to dress up the threads.

 

There is such a thing as a thread file. I lost a rear wheel off a single axle Frieghtliner many years ago due to a bearing going bad. The whole darn thing came out. The mechanic used one to repair it. That rig ran for a long time after that.

 

The trailer is submerged eveytime I go to the lake....it's a boat trailer.
Thanks for the suggestions!!!
I found the thread files and other things. After calling a dozen places, I found one that should be able to repair it ($100) and I'm going to drag it to this guys shop where he has a 1" die to clean and refinish the threads. It's either that or try to order the correct die set and do it myself.

 

If it's empty just tow it on 3 wheels.

 

nope, sorry it has a 6klb boat on it all the time, but yes, I did have to tow it w/3 wheels. Took it in yesterday the mech chased the threads and replaced the chewed up hub. When tq on the other wheel lugs to make sure all was tight, two broke...wth? I'll probably tear apart what he did and the other bearings to make sure there is zero play in them.

 

I have always used a torque wrench on lug nuts. It's amazing how much difference there can be when just using a tire iron, ratchet or air impact gun (which is the worst). Over tightening will cause the studs to break off while under tightening will cause the wheel to come lose and wear out the studs quickly resulting in them all breaking off and the wheel departing the trailer.

 

If the wheel bearings are going out left, right, and center, might want to grease em a little more often.

 

Thanks for all the input. Yes, they were greased well prior to leaving....and yep, I was using a tq wrench also. Going to take a look at each one, repack and make sure there's zero play in the bearings.

 

cant you just unbolt the hub and replace it brakes and all? no dealing with questionable parts then.

 

Also, I still swear by the "bearing buddies" on all trailers if they will fit. Right before backing the trailer into the water (salt around here) we would give each axle a squirt of grease just to make sure there wasnt room for water to get in. Just my 2cents.

 

My $0.02...

I prefer the 'spindle lube' or 'bearing lube' axles. They have the ability to flush grease from the inner bearing through the outer, and out of the spindle. It's too easy to over pressurize Bearing Buddies and send grease out the seal and onto the brakes.

Tony

 

if the bearings are well greased and failing the phrase " going to make sure there is zero play" is the problem. you need to snug up then back off the nut when installing the bearings. sort of you can feel a little play but cant hear it.
Clark