S3ute
25th January 2015, 04:48 PM
Hello from Brisbane.
I originally posted this over in the SLOW section, but didn't get a response, so decided to give it another go here - didn't note a dedicated boat thread and it is primarily about trailer hubs.
Basically, I am giving the disc brake set up on my boat trailer some long overdue attention and intend to replace the bearings and seals as part of the process. It doesn't get a lot of use other than the odd foray on the local river and one way or another maintenance has become little more than a wash down and pump up of the bearing buddies.
The bearings were replaced back around 2004 when I bought the boat - at the time it looked like one seal had been letting water past it and there were signs of limited corrosion on the inner bearing. I think this was likely due to the seal sitting over a small thread that might have come from a rag that was used to wipe the axle down before it was fitted.
The other day when I was pulling the brake calipers off I noticed that there was a slight rumble coming from the bearing on the same side and the opposite side bearing buddy always seemed to have reasonably viscous grease in it whenever I checked them prior to using the boat. So, it is probably an opportune time to bite the bullet and replace the lot.
To be honest, while this is meant to be a straightforward exercise, replacing trailer wheel bearings and seals is not something that I have had a lot of direct experience with. So, I need a little bit of advice.
I note that you can buy "normal" axle bearing and seal kits and "marine" axle bearing and seal kits - the main differences seeming to be the construction of the inner axle seals, having the two piece metal and nylon arrangement.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/238.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/Boat_seals2_zps633a3b4d.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/239.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/Boat_seals3_zps686b7805.jpg.html)
My trailer originally came with the "normal" one piece nylon seals fitted and new versions of the same units were re-fitted back in 2004 when they were last done. My late father-in-law who fitted the bearings didn't see the alternative units as being anything worth pursuing and he had had boats for years. However, I have a couple of spare "marine" seals and the replacement Timken bearing kits that I bought the other day also have these particular seals.
My innocent question is - what is the actual difference between the two types of seal in terms of how they work, and do they make a difference? Form should follow function - so how do they work that is different to the normal box trailer axle seals when used in a marine situation of episodically submersing the bearings?
I suppose another innocent question is - is there any special trick to fitting them to a standard boat trailer hub?
Cheers,
I originally posted this over in the SLOW section, but didn't get a response, so decided to give it another go here - didn't note a dedicated boat thread and it is primarily about trailer hubs.
Basically, I am giving the disc brake set up on my boat trailer some long overdue attention and intend to replace the bearings and seals as part of the process. It doesn't get a lot of use other than the odd foray on the local river and one way or another maintenance has become little more than a wash down and pump up of the bearing buddies.
The bearings were replaced back around 2004 when I bought the boat - at the time it looked like one seal had been letting water past it and there were signs of limited corrosion on the inner bearing. I think this was likely due to the seal sitting over a small thread that might have come from a rag that was used to wipe the axle down before it was fitted.
The other day when I was pulling the brake calipers off I noticed that there was a slight rumble coming from the bearing on the same side and the opposite side bearing buddy always seemed to have reasonably viscous grease in it whenever I checked them prior to using the boat. So, it is probably an opportune time to bite the bullet and replace the lot.
To be honest, while this is meant to be a straightforward exercise, replacing trailer wheel bearings and seals is not something that I have had a lot of direct experience with. So, I need a little bit of advice.
I note that you can buy "normal" axle bearing and seal kits and "marine" axle bearing and seal kits - the main differences seeming to be the construction of the inner axle seals, having the two piece metal and nylon arrangement.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/238.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/Boat_seals2_zps633a3b4d.jpg.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/239.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/Boat_seals3_zps686b7805.jpg.html)
My trailer originally came with the "normal" one piece nylon seals fitted and new versions of the same units were re-fitted back in 2004 when they were last done. My late father-in-law who fitted the bearings didn't see the alternative units as being anything worth pursuing and he had had boats for years. However, I have a couple of spare "marine" seals and the replacement Timken bearing kits that I bought the other day also have these particular seals.
My innocent question is - what is the actual difference between the two types of seal in terms of how they work, and do they make a difference? Form should follow function - so how do they work that is different to the normal box trailer axle seals when used in a marine situation of episodically submersing the bearings?
I suppose another innocent question is - is there any special trick to fitting them to a standard boat trailer hub?
Cheers,