harbor freight wheel bearings

[Rochester Coops]

Do you guys really get all that gue off the bearings that they come packed in? I spent a good 1/2 hr with a tooth brush and acetone and there is still some residue in there. Any tips? Also , when trying to remove the inner bearings and the seal, I managed to mangle the spring 'retainer' or whatever it is that wraps around the inside of the seal. Where can I get replacements? And how do you remove the seal without mangling that spring? I removed the outer bearings, replaced the hub and castle nut, then pulled the hub into the nut to remove the seal/bearing. Is there a better way?

Thanks guys

[WizardOfOdds]

I am no expert on these matters but I can share what I have done since the early 70s. To clean out the old grease I usually use gasoline and then brake cleaner. Last year I tried kerosene with not much luck on my HF 6464 (older model of 1940 lb trailer), and ended up using gasoline again.

By the way, I drove several 200+ mile trips on the 'grease' the bearings were originally packed in. Some say it is not grease, but whatever it was, it worked for me. My trailer is only 600 lbs and a heavy trailer may not have faired so well.

I replace the rear seal whenever I can, but I had to reuse the original ones on the HF because I could not find replacements locally. That required care in removing them as they are easily damaged. I would ignore those on-line videos that suggest prying them out with a screw driver or pry bar. What I did was remove the hub (with the rear bearing inside), then insert the hub over an X-bar tire-iron wrench (inserting the largest socket so it does not pass through the bearing) and pressing the bearing out. This has always worked for me, but I'm sure the experts will have something to say about that.

I recorded the numbers on my bearings with hope of locating replacements for the bearings and seals. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get bearings that fit the old HF 6464 trailer? Anyone who has the bearing is a good bet for the seals too.

[Shadow Catcher]

I just replaced the bearings on our Dexter axles with SKF bearings I picked up from Napa auto. I used brake cleaner to clean them. basically it is Methanol,Toluene,Heptane, Acetone. I remember using some preservative on parts I had inspected for shipping over seas Nasty stuff.

[cheri832]

Wizard,
Harbor Freight has them but not in the stores or on line. If you call the 800 number, they transfer you to tech support and will use your model number to look up the item numbers...but then you have to call back the main 800 number to order them. I just ordered the grease seals and an extra hub assembly for the little 40x48. Seals were $5.99 for four, the hub was $24.99. I didn't ask about just the bearings or cage but I bet they have them. Hope this helps.
Cheri

[WizardOfOdds]

Thanks for the tip; lacking a spare bearing and seals has been a real worry.

Just yesterday I found a note in another thread (here is my attempt to put in a link, viewtopic.php?f=35&t=54757&start=15#p999318) which says that NAPA has parts that fit. His bearing is #30205, mine is the same except it has an "A" suffix ... #30205A with a "URG". I am not sure if the suffix is important or not, but my research on the web seems to indicate mine is a metric size of 52-25-16.5 mm. I had no luck with local auto stores, but my guess is that you need a store with someone who is willing to spend some time to help you, and that is a rare thing here in the Washington DC area.

Your tip should prove very valuable! Thanks again!

[KCStudly]

A quick Google search on "Bearing 30205A" and link to Amazon found this in under 30 seconds: http://www.amazon.com/SKF-BR30205-Tapered-Roller-Bearings/dp/B000CKNY9C/ref=pd_sim_sbs_indust_7

There are cheaper brands, but SKF (formerly CR... Chicago Rawhide) has a good reputation. The dimensions listed on the link appear to be the package size, not the fitment.

There was a thread on here somewhere cautioning against using the empirical 1 inch bearings as they are not equivalent.

Maybe it was "URB" not URG?

[rainjer]

It happens to be that this bearing is the same as a 1995 Mazda B2200 2.2L, front inner wheel bearing. You can get them at most auto parts stores.

Jeremy