Trailer bearings need to be inspected (Flat spots on bearing rollers, broken cages, or rust and pitting) once a year for wear or damage and a lack of lubrication. It is recommended if the bearings are worn to replace the bearings races at the same time the bearings are replaced. Trailers that subjected to extended periods of non-use or submerged in water should have bearings inspected and packed with grease more frequently.

With constant exposure to water, mud, grime and rough road conditions, trailer wheel bearings can fail fast. SKF Trailer bearings repair kits allow installers to enter the profitable trailer wheel bearing repair business.

The SKF auto-lube bearing protector replaces the standard metal dust cap.  Its exclusive see-through design takes the guesswork out of bearing lubrications, and protects against contaminants and moisture.  Three part numbers cover most 1 3/4”, 2” and 2 5/16” hub bore diameters.

The first specification to determine is the number of studs/bolts and the ‘bolt circle’ diameter. Most 4 lug hubs have a 4” bolt circle and most 5 lug boat trailer hubs have a 4-1/2” bolt circle diameter. Cargo and utility trailers with 5 lug hubs are commonly found with a 5” bolt circle. To correctly measure the bolt circle of a hub, measure from the center of the hub to the center of a stud and multiple that measurement by two.

Bearing grease quality and compatibility is another important consideration, especially for boat trailers that are commonly submerged in water after a long road haul. Marine Trailer bearings grease provides outstanding water washout and excellent corrosion protection caused by salt water. It is important to determine compatibility prior to mixing greases of different base types. Incompatible greases can cause adverse chemical reactions, resulting in rust, pitting, scoring of metal, and breakdown of the greases ability to lubricate.

When installing Trailer bearings or replacing them, you need a pair of pliers, a lug wrench, a hammer, a flathead screwdriver and the necessary means to jack the wheel up safely. Be sure to loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench first. Once the wheel is in the air, all you have to do is follow a few simple steps.

Today's wheel NACHI bearing assemblies are no different than those of twenty, thirty or even fifty years ago. They still use grease as a lubricant and coolant, they still employ caged rollers that roll on a pressed-in race, and they still use a rubber-lipped seal to keep grease in and water out.

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