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The wheels on every motorcycle trailer
spin around thanks to wheel bearings. The bearings
themselves contain rollers that spin around inside a
cage to carry the load of the cargo on the trailer
axles.
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The rollers
are
often tapered, or angled, against the cones in
which they spin in order to handle the loads
placed against the wheels when turning right or
left.
Without a doubt the number one road side failure that
occurs with motorcycle trailers come in the form of flat
trailer tires or more serious, a failed wheel bearing.
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With proper care and lubrication, most wheel bearings
should roll down the highway for well over 100,000 miles
without any problems. However, improperly adjusted
and/or ungreased wheel bearings can fail in just a
matter of miles. A quick review of a large trailer
manufacturers service recommendation guide for their
trailer wheel bearings states the following in answer to
the question; How often should I grease my axle?
“The axle companies that we work with suggest
lubrication at least once every 1000 miles or 3 months
of use. Several factors like temperature, loads, and
speeds while hauling are all variables in grease use.
Inspection of grease condition and/or lack of grease are
usually a good idea before and after long trips.”
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Without a doubt the aggressive bearing maintenance
schedule suggested by the previously mentioned trailer
axle manufacturer is to address the most crucial time in
a bearings life, the BREAK IN. I personally, recommend
repacking your wheel bearing after only a few miles if
your trailer is brand new. Someone working at a factory
will not pack a bearing as well as the owner. Or
consider installing bearing buddies. With bearing
buddies the hub is filled with grease through grease
fitting in the front of the bearing protector. As it
fills with grease, an internal piston in the bearing
protector moves forward to show the proper level has
been reached. The protector even has an automatic
pressure control to prevent overfilling and seal damage. |
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The way to keep wheel bearings running smoothly is with regular lubrication. A sensible
time to check and lubricate the wheel bearings is when brake service is performed. Brake service necessitates
the removal of calipers and rotors. This will allow access to the wheel bearing. While some bearings are
relatively easy to inspect and service, others are pressed onto axles. The most difficult type to access
is the captured bearing type. The need for specialized tools and procedures make captured bearing service
best left to the professional. |
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When bearings start making noise it spells trouble. The
noise usually varies according to the speed of the
spinning wheel in which it is contained. These noises
that vary with vehicle speed may indicate a bearing that
has lost its ability to handle the load. A good way to
check wheel bearings without disassembly is to raise the
wheel in question up off the ground, hold it at the top
and the bottom, and attempt to move it. There should be
very little or no movement. |
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