How to Change a Trailer Wheel Bearing

Servicing trailer bearings on a regular schedule can prevent a breakdown on the road. Remove the bearings and wash all the old grease out at least once a year (more often if the trailer is towed frequently). After the grease is removed, inspect the bearings carefully and replace any with burred or chipped components. No special tools are required to replace or service trailer bearings.

Things You'll Need

• Chisel Hammer Arc joint pliers Replacement bearings Wheel bearing grease Grease seal Cotter pin

Instructions

1. Jack one side of the trailer up until the tire is off the ground.

2. 

   Insert a chisel point behind the ridge on the dust cap and tap with a hammer to loosen the cap. Rotate the wheel and insert the chisel in several places to insure the cap releases evenly.

3. 

   Straighten the ends of the cotter pin and remove it.

4. 

   Using a pair of arc joint pliers loosen and remove the bearing nut. Remove the outer bearing and pull the wheel off the spindle.

5. 

   Place the wheel on the ground with the outside of the wheel up. Insert a hardwood dowel through the hub and place against the inside of the bearing. Tap with a hammer until the bearing and seal are removed. It may be necessary to raise the wheel off the ground slightly to get clearance for the bearing to fall out.

6. Wipe all of the old grease from inside the hub. The older grease may not be compatible with the grease you'll b using this time, so it must be removed completely.

7. Inspect the wheel bearings after washing all of the grease out of them with a suitable solvent, such as diesel fuel or degreaser solution. Throw any bearing that is noisy away (excess noise is caused by wear and pitting). Replace any bad bearings with new ones.

8. 

   Pack all the bearings, old and new, with high quality wheel bearing grease. This can be done by hand or with a bearing packer.

9. 

   Place a large glob of grease inside the hub, then insert the inner wheel bearing and seal. If you have one, a seal driver makes this a very easy job.

10. Slide the hub/wheel assembly on to the axle stub. It is a good idea to place tape over the axle threads to avoid damaging the new seal. Install the outer bearing, thrust washer (if your trailer uses them) and axle nut.

11. Spin the wheel slowly and tighten the axle nut until resistance to turning freely is felt. Then loosen the nut and re-tighten just until no play is felt in the bearing. Replace the cotter pin with a new one and bend the ends over. Replace the dust cap.