Unlike regular tires, boat trailer wheels go through a lot of abuse. The use that they get is sporadic and very tough on the boat trailer wheel bearings and can result in the deterioration of them long before the tires are ready to go. For this reason, boat owners should have some basic knowledge of how to replace their boat trailer wheel bearings.

Unlike automobiles that are in constant use, a boat trailer wheel will usually sit around for months at a time with little to no activity. For those that live in an area with changing seasons, the boat trailer wheel will probably be out in the driveway for as many as 6 months. Then, all of a sudden, we expect it to jump into action.

The deterioration occurs because the wheel has been sitting and then gets put out on a hot highway traveling at high speeds that create quite a bit of heat in the boat trailer wheel bearings. When the owner arrives at their location, the trailer is usually dunked into the cold water and this immediately cools the bearings. All of this will eventually lead to bearing failure.

Luckily, the process to change out the boat trailer wheel bearings is not very difficult. In a very short period of time, the bearings can be replaced and the wheel set will be just as good as new. Here is a quick rundown on what needs to be done.

1. Elevate the trailer so that the tires are totally off of the ground and spinning freely.
2. Take the cotter pin out of the spindle nut.
3. Take out the spindle nut.
4. Remove the thrust washer.
5. Remove the outer wheel bearing (rock the tire slightly and this should loosen the bearing so that it can be pulled out).
6. Remove the tire from the axle.
7. Remove the bearing and grease seal (a hardwood dowel is recommended for this).
8. Remove the old grease from the hub making sure to remove any excess with a rag.
9. Remove the bearing races (be sure to be careful when doing this as the area is much smaller and more delicate than the inner bearing).
10. Re-grease the bearing races.
11. Heavily lubricate the bearing to the point of grease is visible between the inner bearing and rolling retainer. When you think you have enough, dip it one more time to be sure.
12. Put the inner bearing back into the hub.
13. Put in a new grease seal and make sure that it is flush with the back of the hub.
14. Replace thrust washer, outer bearing and spindle nut (reverse the process in the early steps).
15. Tighten the spindle nut (be sure not to over-tighten the nut when putting the wheel back on). There should be no play on the bearing and the nut should be aligned properly to allow the cotter pin to be inserted back into place.

Tags: boat trailer wheel, boat trailer wheel bearing, boat trailer wheel bearings, boat trailer wheels, trailer wheel bearings, wheel bearings

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