Ed Kennell 38,008 #1 Posted October 11 (edited) I bought this boat and trailer and was told by the PO the trailer bearings were just replaced. I launched the boat 4-6 times in salt water last year. Yesterday I pulled it out of the barn and both wheels slid on the concrete. The hubs were almost as tight as a 60 yo Wheel Horse hub. This is what I found. No sign of grease in the hubs. Went to NAPA to get 4 new bearings and 2 seals (China). They had them but were really proud at $113. 36. Edited October 11 by Ed Kennell 1 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,033 #2 Posted October 11 Shocks are probably next on the list, salt water will freeze them up too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,016 #3 Posted October 11 (edited) Depending on the bearing size a typical boat trailer bearing and race is a # set 14 and Set 17 which is $12 each or $24 a wheel. Can you shoot me the numbers on your invoice Ed? Edited October 11 by squonk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,008 #4 Posted October 11 3 hours ago, squonk said: Depending on the bearing size a typical boat trailer bearing and race is a # set 14 and Set 17 which is $12 each or $24 a wheel. Can you shoot me the numbers on your invoice Ed? Here ya go Mike. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,279 #5 Posted October 11 Almost makes you want to buy the 10 pack on the Jungle site for short money..... Looks like DID give you the "Hey, I know Mike" friends & family discount though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,008 #6 Posted October 11 I try to buy local, but I ended up sending a C note to CCP anyway. SKF bearings made in China. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,016 #7 Posted October 11 Guess it pays to have a garage acct. I can buy those parts for $20 less. What also hurts is the fact that these hubs use 2 different size bearings so the trailer kits you can buy at TSC don't work. But those kits are $80 a pair so it would have been the same price anyway. Open a acct there Ed. " Ed Dog's Charters " or " E'd's Bucket Empourium " 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,008 #8 Posted October 11 3 minutes ago, squonk said: 2 different size bearings Yeah, none of the kits I found had these different size metric bearings. But what really shocked me was the price on the seals. It's just tough for us old dudes to keep up with this inflation. I am getting stronger though. I can now carry $100 worth of groceries in one hand. 3 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,016 #9 Posted October 11 1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said: Yeah, none of the kits I found had these different size metric bearings. But what really shocked me was the price on the seals. It's just tough for us old dudes to keep up with this inflation. I am getting stronger though. I can now carry $100 worth of groceries in one hand. The way Arthur Ritus is getting into my thumb joints and knuckles it's getting to be more like $50! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,579 #10 Posted October 11 @Ed Kennell think I would use , lucas marine grease in those bearings , made for boat drives , 570 deg rated , made for moisture , would still keep an eye on it , probably the ultimate test on a bearing lube , soon as I saw your write up, looked on line , much better pricing , but have to wait for the stuff to arrive. good luck with that , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,302 #11 Posted October 11 It doesn’t matter much what you pay for bearings if they will take regular salt baths. I get my bearings and seals as a kit on the jungle site for little money. For my travel trailer I bought Timken bearings from Summit. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,008 #12 Posted October 12 18 hours ago, lynnmor said: It doesn’t matter much what you pay for bearings if they will take regular salt baths. True Lynn. I've had good luck keeping the salt water out of 5-6 boat trailers for many years. Gotta have a good inner grease seal and seal the outside cap to the hub. I have used sleeves cut from bicycle inner tubes, condoms, and electrical tape. Unfortunately I never sealed this one when I bought it. I don't think it would have mattered though as there was no grease in the hub. The new bearings and hubs are now packed with sticky marine grease and the end caps are sealed with tape and plastic ties. 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 2,015 #13 Posted October 13 On 10/11/2024 at 10:30 AM, Ed Kennell said: Hey! Bring back my log-splitter's wheel bearings! Actually, those look a little better than the ones I took out of my splitter. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
