Bearings aint bearings

[Scalem]

Here's a trap I am sorting out.....

Two months ago I took delivery of a new 4.5mtr single axle trailer. I asked for standard holden rims and bearing hub/axle assembly. It has been dunked twice, and the only thing I wanted to do was replace the dust covers with bearing buddies. Not a problem I thought..... I got a chance to work on it today. Bearing buddies don't fit, the hub is too big. And buggar!!! Is that water I see inside the cap?? As usual a simple job has turned into a major drama. Too easy, i'll go down and get new bearings, because these ones are already salt water affected (in only two trips), including the cones. Strike 2, the bearings are not standard holden or ford, they are what's known as "parallel" set. Where normal ford or holden bearings are bigger inners, smaller outer bearings, these are both exactly the same, inner and outer. No problemo, just get replacements...... I went to the 3 major retail shops for auto accessories, and none of them have them in stock, quoting as high as $28.00 per bearing. And Timken bearings are more again!!! Back to the original problem, no bearing buddy will fit this hub.

By now I am feeling rather disillusioned ( I am remaining calm, so that's the best word I can find without using expletives) at having parted with $$$$$$ for a new trailer, and one of the guys I tried to get help from had this bit of advice. " There's an influx of nasty axle and bearing combinations that are only good for throwing in the bin, and putting the right combination of axles and hubs on there." Holy #$#%%$!! You're kidding me right?? He was serious.

So I went back to the boat yard I bought it through. Originally when I was on the phone to them, it was suggested I ring the manufacturer of the trailer direct on Monday. Huh??? I insisted I come down and show them the Hub and bearings, he sounded as if I didn't know what I was talking about, and disinterested in helping me out. When I got there, out came all the spare bearing kits they had on sale... Nup, you are right mate, they are not standard bearings.... So I have left my phone number with them, and they said they are going to call the trailer manufacturer on Monday and sort something out.

Best case cenario they will replace the axle and hubs to standard Ford, as this is what the wheels are, but I think I am being very optimistic here. Worste case - they will find a bearing buddy to suit ( which I doubt)

When you look at the design of the axle, the rubber seal at the back, I am not convinced that the design is going to keep my bearings dry. The design is radically different to standard Ford or Holden, which have tapered axles. This axle is straight where the thread for the retainer nut is. I have been quoted $250.00 to change the axle and hubs over. Wait and see > > > Happy Christmas to me!!! Just what I wanted!! In the meantime I have re packed the bearings and cones, but because the salt water has already started damaging them, I will basically be grounded until this is sorted out. I can limp around, but don't want to risk it, because I don't have any spares, and like I said earlier, nobody has these bearings in stock. I asked for standard Ford or Holden!!!

A rather cheesed off , not happy Scalem

[stevedemon]

Hi Scalem

depends on where you live try Beenleigh Bearing mate they are about $14.00 aside completed sets i use ford bearings on mine and always pull them apart every 3 or four trips or if it sit there more than 3 months and i always use Marine grease this seems to last longer and keeps your bearings in good condition

as for the salt in your bearing hit them with some mineral turps to clean them then repack them with marine grease this will keep the rust and corrision down to a min

Cheers
Steve

[Scalem]

Hi Scalem

depends on where you live try Beenleigh Bearing mate they are about $14.00 aside completed sets i use ford bearings on mine and always pull them apart every 3 or four trips or if it sit there more than 3 months and i always use Marine grease this seems to last longer and keeps your bearings in good condition

as for the salt in your bearing hit them with some mineral turps to clean them then repack them with marine grease this will keep the rust and corrision down to a min

Cheers
Steve

Thanks Steve,

But these bearings are not standard Ford bearings, that's why I am having a whinge. If only it was that simple..

Scalem

[blaze]

I would tell the dealer that supplied the trailer to rectify the problem as it is not what you ordered,
cheers
blaze

[stevedemon]

I know what you where saying Scalem this is the reason i suggested Beenleigh Bearing mate they have a good range if they do not stock them then they will get them in at the right price not like the trailer places that whack you for big dollars i'm lucky i only have to use strandard ford bearing so replacing them is easy but like any thing if you can make them last longer the more you save and the lest likely i am to brake down on the side of the high i always carry a spare set nowadays to keep me out of trouble as i have been there on the high waiting for a mate to been me down a set

anyway good luck with your dilema and hope it sorts itself out before xmas so you can enjoy some good quality time on the water

Have a good Xmas

Cheers
Steve

[marshy]

Thats no good at all scalem, looks like the manufacturer was trying to increase their profit by fitting imported oddball sized axle & bearings.Hopefully they will replace them with what you specified cause what they gave you is no good if bearing buddies don't fit & you cant buy replacement bearings easily. Good luck

marshy

[Kiktz]

Have to agree with Steve on this, the one only time I had a bearing fail I went to the guys at Beenleigh, GREAT FELLAS, Highly recommend them.

Soon understanding that I had no idea of bearing and their workings,
they explained to me what to do and gave me every thing I needed.
In such a desparate state they even gave me a few $$$ off,

What champions

Aj

[HarryO]

Hi Scalem.

Don'tcha just love incompetance? NOT!

Probably Hyundai bearings.

Common on the cheap axle sets.

If you have no joy, there should be some numbers
stamped on the side of the cup, and another on the side
of the cone.

The bearing companys will be able to cross reference these
to a known number.

Good Luck.

[Scalem]

Thanks guys,

I live at Loganholme, so it's 5 mins to Beenleigh. I'll check it out. I am not convinced the design is ideal for marine. If I can get a grease nipple on there and pump some in after every trip, that might keep the water out.

Might pay to keep a a spare too, I would not be very confident going long distance and being caught out because these bearings are much less common.

Scalem

[phewy]

Yes, post up the actual numbers on the bearings scalem. "Parallel bearings" I normally encounter in the aussie caravan/rv trade are actually Ford inners and same again for the outers. So they are actually the same bearings as used as inners in the normal ford or slimline axles. (should be stamped LM68149 and size should be 35mm (I think?)
Thought for a moment it may be bigger/higher capacity axle such as 1.5, 2 or 3T as used by some bigger or seriously offroad vans, but remembered they are still different sized inner and outer bearings. (and would be highly overkill for a 4.5mtr boat trailer).

Strange indeed.

[Scalem]

Yes, post up the actual numbers on the bearings scalem. "Parallel bearings" I normally encounter in the aussie caravan/rv trade are actually Ford inners and same again for the outers. So they are actually the same bearings as used as inners in the normal ford or slimline axles. (should be stamped LM68149 and size should be 35mm (I think?)
Thought for a moment it may be bigger/higher capacity axle such as 1.5, 2 or 3T as used by some bigger or seriously offroad vans, but remembered they are still different sized inner and outer bearings. (and would be highly overkill for a 4.5mtr boat trailer).

Strange indeed.

Phewy,

Good input, you sound like you know the industry well. I hope I get the time tomorrow to check the numbers..... and I have not done the other side. I would have today except I was racing to beat the storm/rain with the boat out in the open.

Back to you soon!

Thanks
Scalem

[Ron173]

Scalem,

I am like others above here who have said same thing therabouts.

You didnt get what you specifically asked for, therefore the dealer should be putting it right at his expense.

If he then so chooses to take it up with his supplier thats his call, but you certainly shouldnt be parting with another dollar.

good luck

Rgds

Ron

[griz066]

Rip it into him and get what you had asked, and thought you paid for

[Scalem]

Guys,

Went to Beenleigh and they had them in stock, so I bought 3 sets (one spare) and two extra rubber seals - Total cost $67.00. The part code is 30205.

I lodged a complaint on Saturday with the dealer, and they said they would call the manufacturer. By Tuesday, I started to imagine the Ostrich has buried his head in the sand, because I had heard nothing - no phone calls to me, not even to say they had tried to contact the manufacturer. I have rung a few times and wanted to speak with the manager of the dealer, but he is always "with someone." I rang the manufacturer and he is always "out" delivering new trailers to dealers. > >

I am getting the run around, and I know it. They must have labelled me as a whinger, and are too busy trying to get ready for Christmas. I have also bought a couple of grease nipples which i will tap into the dust cap, so after each trip I will pump some grease in. If this does not work, I will be re packing the hubs after every trip out. And how will I know if it does not work? It will be obvious if I lose another set of bearings because water has entered the hubs. Won't I be a happy chappy!!!

Before anyone suggests not to sink the hubs when launching, I have tried..... and I have the chip off the bottom of the transom to prove it ( a home handyman repair to the gelcoat as a result), it's just too shallow to launch the boat without driving in a bit deeper. But I will risk damaging the transom again, just backing it off the trailer slowly.........

I might have half a solution, but it certainly gets on my goat to think you can pay for a new trailer ( I didn't barter on the price, paying full whack) and not getting the after sales attention I feel I deserve. I want what I asked for and expected. A Ford axle and hubs that I can fit regular bearing buddies to. I offered to swap them over myself. Whatever happened to good old "service"????

Sorry for the dull read, I really am cheesed off, and they will certainly be hearing from me in the new year. I think my buddies at the department of Fair Trading will have to get involved if I can't get any response.

Scalem

[mark221263]

Hi Scalem, sorry to hear about your woes!

I'd be carefulle fitting a grease nipple to a standard hub cap, bearing buddies have a spirng loaded piston in them so when you pump the grease in it can move forward against spring pressure allowing room for expansion etc.

If you pump a standard cap and fill the bearing cavity it will pop the cap off once things heat up a bit and expand on the highway for overload the seal, both situations worse than a standard bearing cap.

Until you get it sorted I'd highly suggest you use a good quality marine bearing grease with plenty around the seal faces and bearing cap. I might start a sh*t fight but I have not had good results with Castrol marine grease and now tend to use the ones made in the USA. They are much more tacky, bloody hard to wash of your hands and if you put some between 2 fingers and pull them apart will string a thread of grease for about 150mm.

With standrad caps and good grease you should get at least 12 months from a set of bearings.

Once sorted or not it would be good to know the dealer and manufacturer's names. You are allowed to state the facts so long as you are not derogitory and state things simple with "My personal experance has been" .

Cheers Mark