Saturday 1st January 2022
What are bearings, and where are they found?
The bearings on a trailer are what provide the movement between the hub and the spindle of the axle. They are made up of two parts; the bearings themselves and the race which sits inside the hub. The bearings sit inside the hub protected by a grease cap and an oil seal that contain all the grease and protect the bearings from collecting dust and dirt. There are two bearings, the inner bearing, which sits closest to the trailer, and the outer bearing, which sits closer to the grease cap.How do I know what size bearings I need?
The easiest way to figure out exactly what size bearings you need is to remove the hub off the trailer, tap the bearings out of the hub and check for numbers stamped into the bearings. These numbers will identify the size of the bearings. However, if the numbers can't be read, the next easiest way is to measure the inner and outer diameter - here. However, we will quickly layout a step by step guide below:- Remove the grease cap, then the split pin, axle nut, castle nut and washer. This will then enable you to lift out the outer bearing.
- Next, flip the hub over and remove the oil seal and the inner bearing. Then gently tap out the bearing races, which are pressed into the hub, using a drift and hammer.
- Now, fit your new bearings, starting from the front. Take the new race which has come with your new bearing and gently tap it in. With the race secured, flip the hub back over and knock in the inner bearing race.
- Once this is done, insert the cone of the inner bearing, then reinsert the rubber oil seal, so it's flush with the top.
- Lastly, flip the hub over and drop the outer bearing into the new race.
- Now you can fit your hub back onto the stub of the axle using the washer, castle nut, split pin and finally grease cap.
