Trailer Bearing Kits

Whenever something breaks down on your trailer, you hope that it’s an easy fix that doesn’t take a lot of time and money to repair. As you begin taking things apart, looking for the source of the problem, you may find that instead of one minor break or problem, you find several small issues, such as bearings or seals that have worn out or gone bad. Instead of being able to get your trailer back on the road that same day, you know you have a few hours’ worth of repairs to do.

At The Trailer Parts Outlet, our goal is to help every customer find the right products at great prices, and we also want to make it fast and convenient to order new parts online. That’s why we’ve created our trailer bearing kits that include everything you need in one bundle. Instead of trying to find each individual part, you can order one kit and get everything in the same shipment.

When Should You Replace Your Trailer Bearings?

While each trailer will be different based on how much you use it and what you use it for, it’s recommended to inspect the bearings and the matching races and seals every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Obviously, if you notice something is wrong with your trailer wheel, or the hub and drum assembly is showing signs of wear, you’ll want to inspect everything before you take the trailer back on the road.

You may not need to replace or repack your bearings every time you check them, but you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that every part is in good shape and won’t let you down as you tow your trailer each time.

Checking and Replacing Trailer Bearings

Once you have your trailer jacked up and ready to work on, you can shake the wheels to see if they move up and down or side to side. If they do, it’s likely that you’ll need to replace the bearings. You’ll have to remove the wheel and hub in order to replace the bearings, and there are some steps to follow in order to get to the bearings.

After you’ve taken off the trailer tire and wheel, you’ll have to remove the bearing protector or grease cap. From there, you can remove the cotter pin and any washer that’s holding the castle nut on the hub. You will likely need a screwdriver to help remove these parts. Once the pin, washer, and nut are removed, you should be able to pull the hub off of the axle spindle. If the hub won’t move, you can rotate it in a circular motion or tap it with a mallet to get it unstuck. Be careful not to damage the outer bearing or seal while you’re doing this. If the hub is frozen onto the spindle, you may need to take it to a professional mechanic who has the proper tools in their shop.

Once the hub is off, you can remove the outer bearing and seal, the inner bearing and seal, and the inner and outer race. Check for any chips, nicks, or dents, and if there is any damage, it’s best to replace the part instead of putting it back in place. Hopefully, you have replacement parts on hand so that you can reassemble the hub and put it back on the spindle right away. If not, we can help you find the right kit.

Everything, from the inner race to the outer bearing, will need to be properly greased to ensure optimal performance. We carry several different bearing grease options, and it’s a good idea to keep a tub or tube on hand for each time you inspect, replace, or repack your trailer bearings.

Protecting Your Trailer Bearings

Once the bearings have been replaced and the hub is back on the axle spindle, you can keep everything safe with bearing protectors. These protectors keep water and dirt out of the wheel bearings, and can be packed with grease to help with bearing lubrication. Our inventory has protector options for different axle sizes, from 2K axles to 7K axles.

The Bearing Buddy® brand features an Auto Check function that lets you know when it’s time to add grease to the bearings. They also come with rubber bra coverings to protect everything as you drive down the road. If you need bearing protectors for your fleet, we’ll be more than happy to help you find the best options.

What Comes in Each Bearing Kit?

Our bearing kit bundles include everything you need to replace any worn or broken parts on your trailer. Each kit comes with a double-lip grease seal, inner and outer bearings, inner and outer races, cotter pin, and a dust and grease cap. Some kits, depending on the axle spindle they’re designed for, will have a tang washer. These are usually EZ-Lube spindles that are D-shaped and have a grease zerk fitting that helps lubricate the bearings.

As far as identifying which replacement bearings, seals, and races you need for a particular trailer, the part numbers should be stamped on the inside of each one. However, if normal wear and tear or damage have made these numbers unable to read, our team can help you find the right fit. If you know the axle capacity and hub size for your trailer, we can provide you with the appropriate bearing kit that includes all of the necessary parts.

Keeping Spare Parts on Hand

It’s always a good idea to keep spare parts on hand, especially if you own several trailers for a commercial business, such as landscaping or cargo transport. With one of our kits, you’ll have all the parts you need for a specific hub and axle, and you can replace everything at once, should a trailer need new bearings.

These kits can also be used for new trailer builds, helping you cut down on the time it takes to source each part individually. With the right kit and the right bearing grease, you can install your new parts and make sure your trailer hubs are ready to go before you add the wheels, which is usually the last step before you take the trailer out for its first test drive.

If you’ve noticed that your trailer wheels aren’t turning like they should, or there seems to be a problem with the hub assembly, it could be time to replace your trailer bearings. When that happens, it’s good to know you have a name you can trust for quality parts and exceptional service. Shop online with The Trailer Parts Outlet today!