Forum Discussion

cannesdo's avatar
cannesdo
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017

Creaking sound on one side when arriving/parking

I repacked my bearings last year (I actually put in all new bearings) and replaced one brake shoe.) Since then, when I pull out of a space -- no problems. On the road...no problems. But a little while after I've slowed and am "taxi'ing" around the park there is this creaking sound whenever I turn left...on the left side of the rig. This last time (only took two trips since then) I came into the park, took one loop around to the left with no sounds, then a second loop at which point it started in. It seems like it happens once everything is warm and loosened up. Left turns at the start of the trip produce no creaking/squealing.

My neighbor suggested I open it up and give the lock nuts another quarter turn or so. They are hand-tight but do you suppose they need to be tightened? or maybe they're too tight? On the first trip it was doing that as I exited a gas station (again turning left)No problem once I got rolling again and the next two stops I parked to the right and no sound then. It's definitely only when turning left. What else could it be? The brakes are working great. Sound good. Feel good.

Lug nuts?

Would just lifting the rig up and trying to wiggle the tire tell me anything? Would it noticeably wiggle if the lock nut wasn't tight enough? What should I look for inside?
  • We don't know what trailer or hitch is involved. We also don't know what type of suspension. We don't know if he has the skills to do the bearings or lug nuts properly.

    Please provide more information.
  • corvettekent wrote:
    The way that I tighten the bearing nut is to tighten the nut with a wrench and turn the wheel, then with the wheel stopped back the nut off and tighten hand tight then install the cotter pin.

    I had a loud creaking sound on my trailer too but mine was the leaf spring bushings were bad. I bought a "wet bolt" kit to fix it.


    Ah, great idea, makes sense. I'll do that this weekend. The bushings were going to be my next project but it seems suspicious that this started *right* after I did the work on the wheels...right? It will be good to get in there and take a look. Can you tell by looking at the bushings if they're bad? And was it only when you turned?

    Thanks so much!
  • The way that I tighten the bearing nut is to tighten the nut with a wrench and turn the wheel, then with the wheel stopped back the nut off and tighten hand tight then install the cotter pin.

    I had a loud creaking sound on my trailer too but mine was the leaf spring bushings were bad. I bought a "wet bolt" kit to fix it.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,114 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 22, 2025