Utility trailer wheels

[AHarris]

Just bought a new 14' utility trailer last month, single axle with a rear ramp. Brand new got it for $1200. Just got back from a 3500 mile trip with this unit and discovered a little play when I grab the top of the wheels and shake from side to side. It has 15" wheels, no brakes, and a 5-lug pattern. All lug nuts are tight and the play is felt on both wheels. Is this bad bearings or just normal for cheap utility trailer axles?

 

[jray]

Seems to be a common occurrence, I too had this happen in the past. It's very likely that when the trailer was assembled the builder never preloaded the bearings. I would take the assembly apart and repack the bearings with moly grease and then reassemble. I'm a big fan of moly, it's great for bullets too as it slows barrel erosion. Good luck.

 

[champspa]

just remember you tighten the wheel bearing till you have no shake in the wheel and then back it of . you should still have a wheel that coasts when you spin the wheel.

 

[Hoefler]

After run in, it is normal to have a little of play in the bearings. When they heat up, they expand. if there is no play, the bearing will burn up from being set too tight. The proper way to set the bearings, it too tighten to 15 ftps while rotating the hub. Do not use a clicker torque wrench. After setting the bearing, with out rotating the hub, back off the nut. Then tighten until finger tight and install the keeper. If it does not line up to install the keeper, back off until you can install the keeper.