Boat trailer bearings aarrhhhhhhh

[jenkotvr]

Does anyone know how much play should be present on tapered roller bearings?

When I fine tune the castle nut in either direction, I've either got play in the wheel or it appears to bind slightly..

Which should I go for

I've had all 4 serviced approx 300 miles but now there is too much play in each wheel for my liking.

Thanks for you help

[Hooli]

None. I'd suggest your bearings are shot if you can't remove the play without loosing the freedom to turn.

[jenkotvr]

Hooli said:

None. I'd suggest your bearings are shot if you can't remove the play without loosing the freedom to turn.

I forgot to add they are new bearings...the wheel does turn easily but not as free if there is slight play.

I want a 'no play' situation but don't want to risk them over heating.

Thanks

[Hooli]

There is normally a torque figure for tightening bearings. I've always tended to go on the do it up till it won't turn & back off a bit plan.

[Steve_D]

Have you checked the shaft for an extra split pin hole?
Many have two holes at different angles so if one is not a close fit to your ideal setting the other will.

I was always taught to tighten whilst rotating the wheel until the wheel is stiff to turn then, without moving the wheel, back off the adjustment then come forward again until it just nips.

Steve

[Athlon]

Steve_D said:

I was always taught to tighten whilst rotating the wheel until the wheel is stiff to turn then, without moving the wheel, back off the adjustment then come forward again until it just nips.

Steve

This is correct..

[Mojocvh]

jenkotvr said:

Does anyone know how much play should be present on tapered roller bearings?

When I fine tune the castle nut in either direction, I've either got play in the wheel or it appears to bind slightly..

Which should I go for

I've had all 4 serviced approx 300 miles but now there is too much play in each wheel for my liking.

Thanks for you help

Have a search through the boat fishing sections http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/index.php

[getitupya]

"shim" the castle nut with washers(s) until you get the correct loading? Or re drill the split pin hole at 90 deg as mentioned above

[duncancallum]

You should have a very small amount of float in a taper bearing.

What are you using to tighten the nut up?

[jenkotvr]

Ok folks I spent a Couple of hours on it last nite after your replies (I felt I had enough ammunition to win this time) So I stripped it down, cleaned everything again; rebuilt with fresh grease.

I torqued the castle to 20nm to seat the bearings, rotated wheel in each direction then backed it off.
I then re tightened castle to finger tight (still minor play) so grabbed grips and moved it on to the next position inline with the split pin. Now there is no play and the wheel seems to spin quite freely with only minimal resistance.

Would you say I cracked it? I'll finish off the other 2 later.

PS like the idea of shimming the castle...I blooming love PH

[Hooli]

Sounds right to me, I've always found it's more of a knack than anything that can be exactly described.

[paintman]

Having had the result of over adjusting & NO play in a taper roller bearing many years ago on a Scimitar front stub axle - bearing overheated & disintegrated & inner track virtually welded itself to the stub - I always want a little bit of play when adjusting.
By that I mean I can JUST feel a tiny bit when gripping the wheel with one hand at 6 o'clock & one at 12 o'clock & rocking it. Achieved by tightening until no play (spin wheel to settle bearing)then slowly back off (still spinning wheel)until you can just feel play.
Never had a bearing problem since - either on trailer or cars - & on the cars never had a MOT issue with it.
Usual recommendation is to set with a dial gauge, but the above works for me.

[mike50001]

having similar problems, fitting new hubs to an old trailer, the new hubs on an there isnt enough thread to tighten up the bearings.

does anyone know where to get some washers to fit a 1 inch axle, i cant find anywhere local that stocks anything big enough.

[Hooli]

mike50001 said:

does anyone know where to get some washers to fit a 1 inch axle, i cant find anywhere local that stocks anything big enough.

Landrover spares? I'm sure the tab washers I used to use on my Disco were about 1 1/2" ID

[scubadude]

My trailer has Fiesta hubs for some unknown reason, good fun changing those bearings but have since fitted some of these- http://www.wheelbuddies.co.uk/ you just keep pumping grease through them, removing the water, since fitting have done double the mileage since the last rebuild with no sign of play. You seem to be able to get similar things from several retailers, these guys are the closest to me and where very helpful machining up a set to match my trailer.

[toger13]

As above when you have adjusted them and got them sorted fit some bearing savers/wheel buddies my bearings are lasting far longer used to do a set a year these have been in 2 years now and are still tip top i just pump abit of grease in before every journy they dont take much but it keeps the water out

Si

[jenkotvr]

I have bearing savers too

[mike50001]

found an easy way to sort out my noisy bearing issue, sell that boat an trailer an get a bigger one.

will be investing in some bearing savers for this one