Maintenance - My wheel bearings on my trailer are the taper roller type. How do I adjust them?

FAQs

F.A.Q: Maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the maintenance of your trailer.

4. My wheel bearings on my trailer are the taper roller type. How do I adjust them?

Note that you will need a torque wrench.

WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT - Taper Roller Bearings

Jack up the trailer to lift the wheel clear of the ground and support the axle on a suitable stand.

Remove the wheel, axle end cap and split pin.

Tighten the slotted nut to 30 lb/ft, rotate the drake drum 1/4 turn in both directions to seat the bearings and "back off" the nut approximately 160 degrees. (This will ensure an end float of between 0.002" and 0.009" (0.05 - 0.23mm).

Fit a new split pin.

This end float (play) is essential to avoid overheating. This can appear to be excessive particularly with a 16" wheel fitted. However, as the bearings heat up during operation some of this will be taken up. Don't be tempted to remove this end float as this will lead to premature failure of the bearings.
- Updated: August 15, 2001
[Back to the FAQ]
Frequently Asked Questions regarding the maintenance of your trailer.

4. My wheel bearings on my trailer are the taper roller type. How do I adjust them?: Note that you will need a torque wrench.

WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT - Taper Roller Bearings

Jack up the trailer to lift the wheel clear of the ground and support the axle on a suitable stand.

Remove the wheel, axle end cap and split pin.

Tighten the slotted nut to 30 lb/ft, rotate the drake drum 1/4 turn in both directions to seat the bearings and "back off" the nut approximately 160 degrees. (This will ensure an end float of between 0.002" and 0.009" (0.05 - 0.23mm).

Fit a new split pin.

This end float (play) is essential to avoid overheating. This can appear to be excessive particularly with a 16" wheel fitted. However, as the bearings heat up during operation some of this will be taken up. Don't be tempted to remove this end float as this will lead to premature failure of the bearings.
- Updated: August 15, 2001
[Back to the FAQ]