Questions about trailer axle/hub service

medicshawn · Apr 12, 2010

I bought a used gooseneck trailer a few months back. It's 20 + 5 and 14K. It's actually a 1995. It looks in great shape for the age, but I'm going through everything making sure it's in good shape and everything works as intended. As part of that process I pulled the hubs to go through the bearings. I've never done this before so I have a questions. I understanding cleaning and relubing everything. I understand there are a couple of parts to replace. Bearings look good. I'm gonna get a new grease seal what about the race? I can't see the logic of beating it out to beat another one in there. Am I missing something, why do I have to replace it? Both my bearings are out just removing the grease seal. Thanks for your help.

BTW it's Dexter 7K axles

Egon · Apr 12, 2010

Why do you need a new grease seal? That may be an indication that a new bearing is in order.

medicshawn · Apr 12, 2010

I took the grease seal out to get the inner bearing out. I thought it was a one time use deal. I didn't really mess it up I could probably reuse it. I thought you repacked the bearings and replaced everything else (assuming the bearings were good). Everything looked good, came out easy and the grease wasn't in bad shape.

Diamondpilot · Apr 12, 2010

In the 100's of trailers I have serviced I have never been able to or wanted to reuse the inner seal. Get a new one, its only $4 each or so.

As for the races if they are damage replace it and the bearing as a unit. Never replace just one part. At least that is how I was thought.

Chris

Egon · Apr 12, 2010

OK, all sounds Kosher.:thumbsup:

Bird · Apr 12, 2010

I think it was about 41 years ago that I tried re-using the same grease seals (my '68 Plymounth Roadrunner front wheel bearings) and only a very short time later when I got to replace the grease seals as well as the brake shoes that had grease on them.:ashamed: I haven't done it since and never will.

As for the bearing races . . ., I'd be sure to keep everything separated enough to put the same bearings back into the same wheels (or races) that they came out of. IF the bearings are still good, the races probably are, too. It was about 50 years ago when I replaced a bad wheel bearing without replacing the race (my '55 Cadillac Coupe deVille front wheel bearing), so that was another job I got to re-do in a short time. If I replace a bearing, I replace the race, but that's the only time I replace a race. But grease seals always get replaced if they're taken out of the hub.

firefighter jim · Apr 12, 2010

I concer with Bird. Always match bearings and races and replace as a unit. Never miss match and new seals always. Bird and I are old timers, heed our advise!:thumbsup: