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Noisy Wheel Bearings?
pajsh - 30/7/07 at 11:24 AM

What makes wheel bearings noisy?

I bought a boat a couple of weeks back and the trailer bearings are really noisy.

The trailer hasn't moved for around 4 years but has been stored in a barn so has been dry.

I took the bearings apart and apart from some rusty bits on the rollers they seem to spin OK. Put them back together with new grease and still very noisy.

What should I do.

1) Replace the bearings
2) Replace the complete indespension units
3) Just run it and see if it gets any quiter

If I do run it I guess a bearing failure could cause the wheel to lock.

My feeling for the sake of £70 from Towsure is to replace the whole units.

Rear wheels of my Locost (ex Capri 3.44) is also noisy so I think I might have the same issue there.

mookaloid - 30/7/07 at 11:39 AM

If they spin very freely, they may well be knackered slight pitting on the races or bearings themselves is enough to cause noise.

I would replace them as it is a sign that all is not perfect with them.

IMHO of course

Cheers

Mark

tks - 30/7/07 at 12:02 PM

quote:

I took the bearings apart and apart from some rusty bits on the rollers they seem to spin OK


Thats what makes the noise, a bearing surface should be smooth like ice, every boble or chip or whatso ever will make noise! and the crap thing is that it only can worse...

bearing problems are rpm dependant sow if the noise changes with rpm you know the answer...

on huge machines they use an device and some meausering points, knowing the bearings (quantity of rollers) and knowing its speed-rpm-) they can find the faulty bearing..

Tks

[Edited on 30/7/07 by tks]

pajsh - 30/7/07 at 01:08 PM

Thanks Guys,

Will replace either the whole hubs or the whole units.

They are pretty crappy anyway.

Cheers

owelly - 30/7/07 at 02:27 PM

Just buy the hubs from Towsure. They work out cheaper than buying just the bearings!!
It also depends on how you use the trailer. The boat trailer I use has noisy bearings and has for the past 5 years but as I only ever use it the few miles into the town/harbour, I just make sure they aren't getting any worse.
The tip is to always let the hubs cool before you lauch the boat. The grease gets warm as you are towing the trailer and as you plunge it into the cold water, it sucks the water into the bearings. I've tried using various sorts of greases but non seem to help much. Of course, pumping more grease into the hubs helps to push the water out but that also depends on if you have grease points (I refrain from using the word nipple as those childish kids at the back will giggle).
As long as the suspension units are in good condition, don't replace them. Check the condition of the trailing box sectiony bits as I've had a couple of them rust out.

pajsh - 30/7/07 at 06:13 PM

Will look into just replacing the hubs. The shafts are 1 inch (25.34mm) so hopefully they will fit.

No problem launching as it is a combi trailer.

I won't be using it much , maybe only 6 times a year max but each trip may be 100+ miles.

Peteff - 30/7/07 at 06:48 PM

My indespension hubs used mini rear wheel bearings and were definitely cheaper than new units. See if you can get a look at some at a supplier.