trailer bearing, seal & spindle questions
If comparing bearing temperature after a leg of a trip, how much higher would the temp. of a bearing compared to the other 3 (tandem axles) have to be to be considered running too much hotter - 10F, 5...
Forum Discussion
To answer the primary question, yes you have it right, axle bearings should never be over-tightened. I read on this Forum where some guys choose to leave them very loose, to the point that the whole wheel assembly has some play, forward and back. IMO, that isn't right, either. A good installation will have the wheel assembly spinning freely but there will be no play.
Keeping a used bearing will be your call. If the bearing seems to turn correctly and there is no evidence of pitting or galling, you could certainly keep it for a spare.
IMO, too much attention is given to country of origin. As long as the part is a name brand, there shouldn't be an issue. You could take the loose seal and see how it fits around the spindle. If it is concentric and rests against the spindle, again, no worries.
Just an impression I am getting here. Folks on this Forum that are messing around with axle bearings are new to the game. Torque specifications and different grease formulas are discussed like bearings were a part of a NASA project. I guess I grew up servicing axle bearings and learned what worked and felt right about them. I've never used a torque wrench to seat an axle bearing. Back in the day, all vehicles had serviceable axle bearings and most guys with a wrench in hand learned bearing and seal installation.
BTW, that picture of the spindle depicts a burnished spindle. The bearing on that spindle was failing to the point that it heated and changed the color of the metal (blue). I wouldn't worry about light rust that the picture depicts. That isn't going to effect the function of the bearings on the spindle. If it worries you, clean it off.
Keeping a used bearing will be your call. If the bearing seems to turn correctly and there is no evidence of pitting or galling, you could certainly keep it for a spare.
IMO, too much attention is given to country of origin. As long as the part is a name brand, there shouldn't be an issue. You could take the loose seal and see how it fits around the spindle. If it is concentric and rests against the spindle, again, no worries.
Just an impression I am getting here. Folks on this Forum that are messing around with axle bearings are new to the game. Torque specifications and different grease formulas are discussed like bearings were a part of a NASA project. I guess I grew up servicing axle bearings and learned what worked and felt right about them. I've never used a torque wrench to seat an axle bearing. Back in the day, all vehicles had serviceable axle bearings and most guys with a wrench in hand learned bearing and seal installation.
BTW, that picture of the spindle depicts a burnished spindle. The bearing on that spindle was failing to the point that it heated and changed the color of the metal (blue). I wouldn't worry about light rust that the picture depicts. That isn't going to effect the function of the bearings on the spindle. If it worries you, clean it off.
