Wheel bearing smoked on my trailer. I'm not sure how long it had been smoking, no one honked or alerted me. We were about 1 mile from storage lot when noticed smoke pouring from the wheel. I had a chance to pull the wheel and assess the damage. The races are stuck to the axle and the the spindle is chewed up. I'm more concerned about the spindle. Based on the spindle damage should I replace the axle?Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum limit of 640px maximum size.

That looks like a job for a professional with a professional eye to take care of. How long has it been since the bearings were cleaned and greased?

Look to see if the spindles are bolted to the axle or welded.If they are welded, I would find a shop to do replcement.You could get numbers off the tag on the axle and might find a replacement at an RV salvage yard.

That spindle is a door stop now looks like.Like enblethen said - if the spindle is weld-on a "spring shop" type business in your area could replace it.

I have had worse looking spindles. Looks like the area for your inner seal is damaged, if it is you need to only replace the spindle not the whole axle.

Seal surface is key. If it looks like it will hold grease, than I would use a cutting wheel to get the races off and give it a try. Plenty of good quality grease, I use Mobil 1. That looks like a bearing buddy in the end of the axle. Not really necessary on an RV, prevents proper maintenance and causes damage like this.

Smoked Bearing -- Spindle Damage - Axle Replacement??

Pauljdav
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013
I agree with the others. If the seal surface is in good shape you can get those races off. Smooth up the rest and you are in good shape.

When did you have those bearings serviced last?

Paul
GMT830
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013
How long have you had the trailer? When was the last time the bearings were serviced?
tvman44
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013
If it were mine I would just replace the axle and be through with it. :)
icepickjazz
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013
GMT830 wrote:
That looks like a bearing buddy in the end of the axle. Not really necessary on an RV, prevents proper maintenance and causes damage like this.
Yeah, I noticed that too. Whatever it is it came from the factory.
BeerCan
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013
You can get the spindle repaired. Many areas even have mobile service. Back in the day we used to get this done all the time and it was reasonable. Not sure about these days though.
GMT830
Explorer
Apr 27, 2013
Seal surface is key. If it looks like it will hold grease, than I would use a cutting wheel to get the races off and give it a try. Plenty of good quality grease, I use Mobil 1. That looks like a bearing buddy in the end of the axle. Not really necessary on an RV, prevents proper maintenance and causes damage like this.
copeland343
Explorer
Apr 27, 2013
I have had worse looking spindles. Looks like the area for your inner seal is damaged, if it is you need to only replace the spindle not the whole axle.
noteven
Explorer III
Apr 27, 2013
That spindle is a door stop now looks like.

Like enblethen said - if the spindle is weld-on a "spring shop" type business in your area could replace it.
enblethen
Nomad
Apr 27, 2013
Look to see if the spindles are bolted to the axle or welded.
If they are welded, I would find a shop to do replcement.
You could get numbers off the tag on the axle and might find a replacement at an RV salvage yard.
rrupert
Explorer
Apr 27, 2013
That looks like a job for a professional with a professional eye to take care of. How long has it been since the bearings were cleaned and greased?

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Smoked Bearing -- Spindle Damage - Axle Replacement??

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