Bearings

Its that time of the year again to get those trailer bearings re-packed.  My Trophy sits atop an American trailer, the Karavan which utilises an ingenious system.  Jack wheel off ground, take the rubber expansion cap off, connect grease gun, pump away and give the wheel a spin.  Stop when clean grease is seen.  Bearings repacked.  Time for a beer. Too easy.



Cheers Pete


Posts: 23

Date Joined: 01/01/70

same!

Tue, 2007-07-31 13:49

Take my trailer to me mate that has his own trailer company, watch him do my bearings whilst I drink a can of Bulleit.....too easy.....hehehe

Sounds good mate, getting the machine micky mouse eh!

*Oceanside-Strudwick,Daiwa,Van Staal,Jigmaster Rods, Banax,Shimano,Penn,Furuno*

Owner/Operator Oceanside Tackle and Marine
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth WA
Ph# 9337 5682 ** OPEN 7 DAYS *

Pete D's picture

Posts: 1681

Date Joined: 07/06/07

Slacka!

Tue, 2007-07-31 14:12

Must admit - your method sounds more enjoyable.

Getting there with the bits and pieces mate.  Solved that annoying alarm too...at last.

Hookah serviced too.

Get back to work!

Cheers Pete

Andy's picture

Posts: 522

Date Joined: 08/10/05

trophy

Tue, 2007-07-31 17:50

Pete What size trophy do you have. And what do you reckon of it. Im looking at a 1802.

Under the Hammer's picture

Posts: 60

Date Joined: 19/05/07

Good idea Pete! There's

Tue, 2007-07-31 20:15

Good idea Pete!

There's another thing I need to do... I better add it to the list before the minister of Home Affairs puts other things on it!

Are the Trophy's typically a glass or Ali boat?

Cheers,


T

deefa's picture

Posts: 642

Date Joined: 09/09/05

Call me old fashioned Pete,

Wed, 2007-08-01 07:53

Call me old fashioned Pete, but i still prefer to physically remove and service/regrease bearings by hand, that way i can actually see the bearings are greased thoroughly, and i know unequivocally that if a bearing fails, that it is a mechanical failure rather than a lack of grease fault. Removing the bearings also gives me a chance to clean and inspect the bearings for wear..... Must be the mechanic in me . Having said that, the system in your diagram does look a good one. Have you ever removed the bearings to inspect the thoroughness of grease application after you've squeezed some grease through the nipple? I don't think i'd have a problem using that system for bearings less than a year old, after that, i start to get a bit iffy?

Pete D's picture

Posts: 1681

Date Joined: 07/06/07

Glass Mr

Wed, 2007-08-01 08:12

Glass Mr T

http://www.trophyfishing.com/brochure.asp?modelid=103713

I'm the same Deefa, but this system looks the goods.  I did go to pull it all apart when I first purchased the rig, but instead of a cotter pin holding the castle nut, there was a 5mm rod through and bent over which would require an angle grinder for removal .  I'm thinking, gees, they don't want you to get this thing apart.  Checking their site, there is no need to pull apart.  Just regularly (probably every 3 months) pump some new grease in.  As you can see, new grease forces the old out of the rear bearing then out the front...with no air gaps (you could not do that, if doing the job manually).

If grease is on the bearing all the time....what is the life of a bearing???? I don't know.  My old rig, I did my bearings twice a year (pulling the lot out) and I didn't replace the bearings for over 6 years.  I'm thinking, no air in the system, let the wheels cool before dunking and they should last for 10 years...but I'm no mechanic.  What do ya think?

Cheers Pete

ps  I'm just typing out an email to the USA to ask the question.

deefa's picture

Posts: 642

Date Joined: 09/09/05

Doesn't sound like that

Wed, 2007-08-01 08:19

Doesn't sound like that system allows for easy adjustment of ya bearings Pete, another reason why i like do 'em manually. Grease on bearings is only part of the big picture. To me, what you've described is a big down side to the system, it encourages complacency by not making it easy to ensure correct adjustment, another BIG reason for bearing failure. For the record, there is absolutely no way regardless of lubrication system that i would entrust my boat(any boat) to rolling on bearings for 10 years....  JMEO

Pete D's picture

Posts: 1681

Date Joined: 07/06/07

'If' they are tensioned up

Wed, 2007-08-01 10:12

'If' they are tensioned up right....what adjustment is required?  Bearings compressing over time?  I ask this Deefa, as I don't know.  Yes, I used to jack and recheck play after a few runs after doing a repack - but after a few repacks I knew what tension to put on the castle nut.

Jack up, spin wheel smoothly (no wherring sounds - flat areas on bearing?), no axle play, all is good - been doing that for 18 years with no bearing failures.

I've emailed the company for there feedback.  What is the life of a bearing Deefa?

Never had a bearing failure and never want one; so if cutting into the assembly is required, thats what I'll do.  Will be interesting to see what the manufacturer says.

Cheers Pete

ps Thanks for your input too Dan.

Posts: 23

Date Joined: 01/01/70

stuck!

Wed, 2007-08-01 10:31

If you get stuck Pete i can help, i've got plenty of background in this area...............hehehe

*Oceanside-Strudwick,Daiwa,Van Staal,Jigmaster Rods, Banax,Shimano,Penn,Furuno*

Owner/Operator Oceanside Tackle and Marine
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth WA
Ph# 9337 5682 ** OPEN 7 DAYS *

deefa's picture

Posts: 642

Date Joined: 09/09/05

Firstly Pete, please don't

Wed, 2007-08-01 11:20

Firstly Pete, please don't misconstrue where i'm coming from- just trying to offer an educated opinion s'all . It is probably remiss of me to 'diss' this product until i see it, although i dunno if what i'm doing could be referred to as 'dissing'. I have just seen & heard of too many failures due too the complacency created by similar type products(i'm refraining from naming product names here) I guess, because of my background, i just like to see whats going on... You have a lot invested riding on those bearings Pete, and to see it all end in tears on a trip such as the one You and The Ryser are planning wouldn't be much fun......

For me, if i was planning such a trip, i'd be removing the bearings for a thorough clean and inspection, especially if they haven't been removed for checking for more than 12 months. Once i am happy that the bearings are indeed serviceable(if in any doubt, replace 'em.... for the little cost involved, it sure would give some peace of mind), grease thoroughly by hand, then refit(or fit new greased bearings), and adjust accordingly. Once i am satisfied that the bearings are greased thoroughly, and adjusted accordingly, i would have no hesitation in using the above 'type' product between bearing services. To rely on the above product without even removing/cleaning/checking them before a trip as yours would leave me feeling a little uneasy.


What is the life of a bearing you ask- What is the colour of a piece of string i reply- far too many variables to answer that one Pete. Long and short of it Pete, is i'm not trying to be a smarty here, just suggesting there are more thorough ways to ensure the safety of your boat whilst towing, as well as give you some feedback from someone working in the field. Happy to discuss it with ya futher if ya like, you should have my number(i think).


Ryan- sounds like you're speaking from experience mate??? Had some drama's you'd care to share??? 

p.s.  all taper type bearings require re-adjusting from time to time, for a number of reasons, one being wear.




Pete D's picture

Posts: 1681

Date Joined: 07/06/07

Will wait and see what the

Wed, 2007-08-01 11:33

Will wait and see what the manufacturer has to say...but like you said, I might chop into the assembly to reassure myself.

Ignore Ryan (get back to tying rigs son!); only drama he is going to have is pulling the anchor and also pulling the anchor, oh and ensuring his shark shield is switch on.

Cheers Pete

deefa's picture

Posts: 642

Date Joined: 09/09/05

Your "chop into the

Wed, 2007-08-01 11:40

Your "chop into the assembly" comment has me baffled?

Are they that user unfriendly, taht you have to go chopping them up?
Even the more coomen Bearing Buddies give you reasonable access to removing the bearings for thorough servicing/cleaning etc, without going to them extreme of 'chopping' into them?
I'd love to have a look at 'em Pete, just so as i can get my head around what you're decribing. Surely the 5mm 'inanimate carbon rod....teehee' you mentioned is removable/replaceable. Bahh, i dunno, like i said, i'd love to have a squizz so i can give a better educated suggestion...
Looking at the diagram again, the bearing do seem removeable without too much fuss?

p.s.  Do they have a website? pm the link if ya like...

deefa's picture

Posts: 642

Date Joined: 09/09/05

Found the website Pete, i'll

Wed, 2007-08-01 11:41

Found the website Pete, i'll have a look....

Posts: 23

Date Joined: 01/01/70

yeh

Wed, 2007-08-01 12:02

Had a few bearing issues before last Gamex Deef but got that sorted, you can never be too thorough with bearings i reckon!

Pete, get a windlass ya tight ass (hehehe) and yes i'm gonna make sure the Shark Sheild is on.....probably check it every 5 minutes


*Oceanside-Strudwick,Daiwa,Van Staal,Jigmaster Rods, Banax,Shimano,Penn,Furuno*

Owner/Operator Oceanside Tackle and Marine
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth WA
Ph# 9337 5682 ** OPEN 7 DAYS *

Pete D's picture

Posts: 1681

Date Joined: 07/06/07

Chop = angle grind the 5mm

Wed, 2007-08-01 12:18

Chop = angle grind the 5mm castle nut rod (which is usually a cotter pin).  Could then replace with a new cotter pin.

Welcome to come over for a beer (or three) and squiz at it on Saturday arvo mate.

Cheers Pete

ps who needs a windlass, when ya got deckies.  I'll install a bourbon holder up near the anchor though....there you go thinking about my deckies again

Posts: 23

Date Joined: 01/01/70

hehehe

Wed, 2007-08-01 12:44

hehehe....i'll pay that mate and will jump at the opportunity to do the anchor work then

On that note, you need some fold down drink holders, email me if ya want some!

*Oceanside-Strudwick,Daiwa,Van Staal,Jigmaster Rods, Banax,Shimano,Penn,Furuno*

Owner/Operator Oceanside Tackle and Marine
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth WA
Ph# 9337 5682 ** OPEN 7 DAYS *

Pete D's picture

Posts: 1681

Date Joined: 07/06/07

How many do ya want?

Wed, 2007-08-01 13:03

Two pull downs came with the boat!  One behind the cabin door, the other under the VHF radio hand piece cord.  Stubby holders don't fit though!

Two on the rocket launcher  - one can be moved to the bait board (didn't know that, did ya)....its mine!

And a new one installed on the dash (last weekend)....since ya phone doesn't need another wash of the good ale.  Haven't worked out where the keg is going though

Cheers Pete

deefa's picture

Posts: 642

Date Joined: 09/09/05

I'll see how i go, bloody

Wed, 2007-08-01 13:01

I'll see how i go, bloody short staffed again, bloody mines stealing all my mech's, so the fat man in the stripe shirts back on the tools 6 days a week at the mo', where 'bouts are ya BTW, pm me ya details, and i'll see what i can do....


Ryan on anchor wench duties, i'd pay to see that!!!!

Posts: 23

Date Joined: 01/01/70

hehehe

Wed, 2007-08-01 13:07

hehehe.....yeh must admit i'm spoilt with an anchor winch or is that my decky's are spoilt more to the point


*Oceanside-Strudwick,Daiwa,Van Staal,Jigmaster Rods, Banax,Shimano,Penn,Furuno*

Owner/Operator Oceanside Tackle and Marine
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth WA
Ph# 9337 5682 ** OPEN 7 DAYS *

Posts: 23

Date Joined: 01/01/70

The keg, hahaha......all

Wed, 2007-08-01 13:11

The keg, hahaha......all class Pete , yeh my phone doesn't need another hops bath and good to see all's sorted.

*Oceanside-Strudwick,Daiwa,Van Staal,Jigmaster Rods, Banax,Shimano,Penn,Furuno*

Owner/Operator Oceanside Tackle and Marine
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth WA
Ph# 9337 5682 ** OPEN 7 DAYS *