HF Trailer Bearing Dust Covers

[bdosborn]

How do you get the darn things off without scratching them up? Or am I being to anal and just need to lean on them a bit?
Bruce

[doug hodder]

Bruce...I just use a wide blade screwdriver, and a plastic mallet...tap the driver inbetween the cap and hub until it starts to move a little and then just twist the driver all the way around the cap till it pops off...I think bearing buddies are a real plus for lubing, but if you need to remove them, still the same process...is that what you wanted? Or are you concerned about the chrome caps? If it's the caps, remove the wheel, they punch out the back, then remove the dust cap as above and voila, you got bearing.....Doug

[bdosborn]

Thats it. I stuck a screwdriver in there but didn't want to ding the cap so it might fall off on the road. I'll try a mallet and tap around a bit. We're going to Moab over Easter so I want to do a good grease job on the bearings before we go. But then again, they just opened a Harbor Freight tools about a 1/10 of a mile from our house, I should walk over and order a spare cap and bearing.
Thanks Doug,

Bruce

[Arne]

I use a chisel, cause it has a tapered tip.... only to get it moved out a bit..... and I go around and do it in several places.... then I grab it with a big pair of channel locks and rock it up and down and it pops off.

The screwdriver is a good tip after you have a bit of space to get the tip in.

[bdosborn]

Arne,

Good tip, I've got a cold chisel around here somewhere. I'll start with that and switch to the screwdriver once it starts moving.
Thanks,
Bruce

[rampage]

The best thing I've used is a paint can lid remover. The kind that sort of looks like a key that they give you free at home depot. It works like a charm.

[EZ]

The best thing I've used is a paint can lid remover. The kind that sort of looks like a key that they give you free at home depot. It works like a charm.

And it's a beer opener too

[rampage]

The best thing I've used is a paint can lid remover. The kind that sort of looks like a key that they give you free at home depot. It works like a charm.

And it's a beer opener too

Every tool should be a beer opener

[Joseph]

I use a wooden mallet and gently tap around the outside.

Joseph

[bdosborn]

Okay, using a combination of the chisel, screwdriver and channel locks I got the cap off. That baby was on tight. The outside bearing was a little dry, the inside seemed pretty good. I cleaned (meaning I scraped the old grease out with my finger) , packed both bearings and stuck them back in. I scooped grease into the inside bearing and pressed it between the races with my finger. Its been awhile since I had to adjust bearings; I spun the wheel and tightened the bearing castle nut until it seemed like there was some resistance. Then I backed it off a bit. There isn't any play side-to-side in the wheel. Does that seem right? I seem to remember my Dad saying there should be a little bit if play in the wheel but that was a long time ago.
Bruce

[Arne]

Yup, the nut should not be tight. The bearing will overheat. I tighten the nut, then back it off to get the cotter pin in..... with only one hole in the axle, I can't get it perfect, but have never had a problem.

[Kevin A]

Or if you really want to get fancy, you could use a pair of these: http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Hub-and-dust-Cap-pliers-V216.HTML

[doug hodder]

Bruce...a trick to packing bearings without the "official" bearing packing system etc.......is to put a fairly large wad of grease in the palm of your hand, hold the bearing in your other hand and scrape against the palm with the grease, you'd be surprised just how much you can squish into them...keep working it in until it comes out the top of the bearing...a fully packed bearing will hold a ton a grease....just an idea....Doug

[owenmpk]

There seems to be a lot of concern on this site about bearings and grease. Does anyone have a bad experience they could relate to this issue? My thoughts would be to pack when trailer is new or new to you and repack in ~10 years. Also removing the hub to repack the inside bearing its not good for the inside seal. If you really want to top off easily / frequently I suggest that you get a grease cap with a grease fitting. I have these on my sail boat trailer and the grease is kept under pressure by a spring and diaphragm within the cap. The brand is Bearing Buddy http://www.bearingbuddy.com/

[bdosborn]

Bruce...a trick to packing bearings without the "official" bearing packing system etc.......is to put a fairly large wad of grease in the palm of your hand, hold the bearing in your other hand and scrape against the palm with the grease, you'd be surprised just how much you can squish into them...keep working it in until it comes out the top of the bearing...a fully packed bearing will hold a ton a grease....just an idea....Doug

Doug,

I did that with the outside bearing but the inside one is pressed in. Did you press it out to pack it or just stuff it full of grease with your finger like I did?
Thanks,
Bruce