Trailer bearing question

[billtebbutt]

Good morning folks,

Just did a 4,000km round trip with our old 30' Haulmark. Because I am paranoid, I check the hubs every time I fuel up, simply by grabbing them with my hand. If it is to hot to keep my hand on it, the bearing is too tight or drying up and I service it.

I re-did all the brakes at the start of the year, so everything is new and set-up properly. On this long trip, the LHS hubs were a little warm (nowhere near hot, so not at all worried), and the RHS ones were cool, ie zero temp in them. They were all set up the same (new bearings and races, 50 lb/ft of torque to set the bearings and then wound back one flat and pinned as per the bearing manufacturer's instructions). The only thing I can think of is perhaps a little to much grease in the LHS hubs is causing the extra heat??

Anything else to think about?

best
bt

[jtaphorn]

Potential solar heating since both axles on side affected. Which side of the trailer was facing the sun.

[10rmotor]

If you're really concerned, which it doesn't sound like you are, you can always do the torque and back off one flat per mfg. instructions. Is it possible that on the cooler ones the bearings seated a little more thus causing a bit more clearance and perhaps less friction? I kinda doubt that more or less axle grease on one side is causing the temp differential.

[billtebbutt]

Potential solar heating since both axles on side affected. Which side of the trailer was facing the sun.

This is brilliant! you are correct - the side where the warmer bearings were, was in the smoking hot sun the entire drive on teh last day back. I never would have thought of that.

bt