Huntindog wrote:
guidry wrote:
I’m in the category of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. I take off my wheels every year and make sure the nut is tight. They’re packed with good grease so I don’t repack. These trailers aren’t like my boat trailer where it’s submerged every day. I don’t think RVs need repacking every year or two. But that’s me. Cars don’t get repacked often if at all. I’ve never had or seen a problem as long as you’re inspecting the wheel bearings. There’s been a few times the nut needed a little tightening.
How are you judging if the nut is "tight"?
It is not supposed to be tight.
Bearings are designed to run at zero clearance.
This means that when cold, there should be a slight amount of play. This play goes away as the assembly heats up and expands under use.
One can measure this cold play with a dial caliper if you have one, or more commonly (and just as accurate) follow the specific manufacturer instructions for setting the bearings....This is often referred to as bearing preload, which is a misnomer, as the end result is no preload at all.
Never paid attention to all these technical terms I am hearing, but I have done my own bearings since my first trailer, early 70's. I have to go along with guidry on some of this, they certainly don't need to be packed every year, at least mine have not.
For me its a feel , I tighten up the nut a bit to make sure all is pushed in where it belongs, just snug, then I back it off to finger tight so to speak ,feel for any play . Then I hope where I like it the retainer clip or cotter pin will line up. If anyone can set preload, and have those line up" every" time, I need the secret. I have messed with them a lot of times , I usually go with a bit more loose then tight to get the retainer clip on or cotter pin in, if its not lining up where I like it. I have had the clip or cotter pin in , and I could move the nut by hand with the play those things have in them. IMO thats preload as far as I am concerned . There may be bearing applications where all that comes into play, but these trailers ,and preload is a guess as far as I am concerned . I use quality grease, and have never had a bearing failure.
