Loadrite trailer bearings

[family affair]

2014 loadrite tandem axle trailer with 6000 lb capacity.
One of the hubs has been getting warmer than the others. I thought it was the brakes, but the rotor is not hot. I checked to make sure the castle nut was not overtighten. It was fine. I greased while rotating the wheel and I'm confident the hub has plenty - still getting hot.
What gives? Bad bearing? Anyone know if Loadrite uses Timken bearings? Where is a good source to get new and what can I do to make sure I get the right parts?

 

[seasick]

The old bearings will have a part number stamped on the race. If not, you have to measure the outside and inside dimensions and match them up. Replace races also.

With regard to tightening the nut, One way to do so is to tighten the nut while spinning the wheel until it stops or there is decent drag. Then back off the nut a half to a full turn.

Check the rear of the wheel to look for grease stains to make sure the seal is not blown and letting the grease out.

 

[Halfhitch]

It's pretty much a given that Loadrite used China bearings in 2014. Your best bet is to remove the bearings from one wheel and use those numbers to order either Timken or SKF bearings and seal. Your choice if you are doing just the hot one or all 4. Just be aware that there are China knockoffs that include look alike packaging that is hard to spot. Best to order through a reputable outfit like NAPA or a bearing house.

 

[Sparkdog118]

Does it make noise when you jack up the tire and roll it by hand? Grab tire at top and bottom while on the jack and see if there is any wobble. I trailer my boat 20000 miles a year. I keep my bearings greased well and tight. If any water gets in, replace no matter what. Also replace if you can hear it rumble.

 

[Sparkdog118]

The old bearings will have a part number stamped on the race. If not, you have to measure the outside and inside dimensions and match them up. Replace races also.

With regard to tightening the nut, One way to do so is to tighten the nut while spinning the wheel until it stops or there is decent drag. Then back off the nut a half to a full turn.

Check the rear of the wheel to look for grease stains to make sure the seal is not blown and letting the grease out.

Great advice. Take note if your nut is coarse thread or fine thread so you can back off the correct amount. I usually tighten it to seat the bearings and back it off til I feel very slight side to side wobble. Then go to the closest slot for the cotter pin. Go to the tighter slot for new bearings and looser slot for used bearings. New ones should be rechecked for wobble after about 100 miles. They seat and have a habit of loostening up quickly.

 

[Sparkdog118]

I carry 2 loaded hubs in my tool box. That is the easiest way to go. Also the cleanest. Lol.

 

[family affair]

Does it make noise when you jack up the tire and roll it by hand? Grab tire at top and bottom while on the jack and see if there is any wobble. I trailer my boat 20000 miles a year. I keep my bearings greased well and tight. If any water gets in, replace no matter what. Also replace if you can hear it rumble.

No noise and no wobble. When I checked the nut it had zero play. I tightened it and backed it off to have a tiny amount of play. Greased it again and ran it today - no better initially on the way out. On the way home ran it 25 minutes down the highway and then to the house. Suspect side was roughly 10 degrees hotter and not as bad as before.
As for water, the brake axle always is getting water in the grease since day one when it was new. No, there is no grease slinging out the back. The trailer uses superlube hub system. Grease goes in the zerk through the hub and pushes old grease to the front where I wipe it out.

 

[Sparkdog118]

That is a great bearing system. Could there be more weight on that side? Wheel alignment issue? Just thinking out loud. That is odd.

 

[family affair]

Had my dad with me today too. He didn't think it was excessively hot despite not being able to keep a finger on it for more than a four count. From what I've read, if you can't touch it for long, it's too hot. Typically the rubber cover would bulge from the heat. This last run today it did not.

 

[family affair]

That is a great bearing system. Could there be more weight on that side? Wheel alignment issue? Just thinking out loud. That is odd.

Definitely not weight. As for alignment, I haven't checked it, but the tire on that side gets no hotter than the other.

 

[Sparkdog118]

That is crazy. I think I would get a new set of bearings and see what happens. If the races don’t catch your nail, you could get away with just the bearings. Just pack them well before installation.