Steps to remove wheel bearings on a Scamp or other trailer.

1) Jack up the trailer and place securely on jack stands. Do not use the stabilizer jacks to support the trailer while working on the wheel bearings! Doing so may result in your being injured by a collapsing jack, and may also damage your Scamp by bending or breaking the frame. Remove the tire and wheel at this time. note: Removing the tire and wheel is optional, but it will make the job easier when your take the hubs into the shop later.

2) remove the dust cap on the end of the hub. (picture)

3) Remove the cotter pin and throw it away - do not reuse the old cotter pin.

4) Remove the castle nut from the end of the spindle. You will not need a wrench. (picture)

5) gently pull the hub toward you slightly and push it back. This will allow you to remove the washer and outer bearing. (picture)

6) Pull the entire hub off the axle. (picture)

At this point, I take the hub and bearings into a local garage or good auto parts store and have them clean, inspect and repack the wheel bearings and replace the seals.

Steps to install repacked wheel bearings.

1) Clean off any old grease on the axle spindle and inspect for damage. (picture)

2) Place the hub onto the axle being careful to not distort the seal.

3) place the outer bearing onto the axle. (picture)

4) Place the washer over the axle.

5) screw the castle nut onto the axle, and tighten as much as you can with your fingers.

6) Using a wrench or pliers, firmly tighten the castle nut while rotating the hub. (picture)

7) Loosen the castle nut so the castle nut spins freely. Do not rotate or move the hub.

8) Tighten the castle nut lightly with your fingers. Install a *new* cotter pin (picture1 - picture 2). If the hole in the axle does not line up with slots in the castle nut, loosen the castle nut enough to line up.

9) Check that the hub spins freely, and there is not excessive end play. If everything seems OK, install the dust cap (picture). (If your trailer has brakes, this would be a good time to adjust them.) 

10) On your first trip, check temperature of the bearing with the back of your hand after a few hundred feet, a mile, 5 miles, 15 miles, 25 miles and 50 miles. Defective bearings (lack of grease, adjusted too tightly or overloaded - whatever the problem) will run very hot (not just warm).

August 2004

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