Wheel Hub Grease Cup

Look for a plastic bottle about that size. cut it down and insert it. Will last for ever!

I'll bet that this has been a problem before for someone and your trailer became a donor in the dark of the night.

I guess you could prowl the night yourself and check the streets for another donor.

However, I would try someplace like this online or find a lawn and garden service shop or maybe even Tractor Supply Company.

Try a sporting goods store that handles boating supplies. The grease bearing cups are usually found with the boat trailer wheels. Hot bearings, on a boat trailer, and cold water when launching a boat, cause a lot of bearing replacements. So the grease cups are usually close by.

Mel

They are an odd small size and cannot find them anywhere.

Hi,

If the grease cup has been missing for say, a year or longer, you may have a problem with the bearings themselves. Bearing failures on trailers are frequent, simply because they are neglected. So................

Be sure to clean the bearings completely, so there isn't a bit of grease on them. I use kerosene, because it's oily, and it won't completely strip the bearings of all lubricants.

Then you can use a light to inspect the bearing surfaces to see if there are any low spots, any gouges, or scrapes, or rust spots. If so, you should replace the bearings.

Next, you need to inspect the bearings, themselves. Same process, but you must rotate each barrel carefully, to observe whether there are any inconsistencies. Remember that you must replace both the bearing surface and the bearings at the same time, as they are a set.

If that's needed, it's not hard to do, but you will need to find someone with a mechanical or hydraulic press, because the race is a press fit. Replace with new bearings using the same press.

A place called Berry Bearings comes to mind, although I've not done any business with them for decades. They were in Illinois and may also be in Wisconsin, in the Milwaukee area.

Now that is a lot of work, and may not be worth it if you consider the alternative. Simply purchase a new axle assembly. If it's not out of the question, the cost should be affordable, in relation to the size of the axle. For example, a brand new axle for a small utility trailer to carry one ton would be around $100.

Tom

P.S.

Another method of inspection is to clean and grease the bearings. Tighten to torque settings, and then drive it about a mile. Then measure the temperature of the bearings. Drive a mile and repeat. You should get a good idea of whether there is excessive where by doing that. Also, if there is no torque setting, use this method to tighten. Hand tighten the nut until you can't turn it anymore. Do not us a tool. Then back it off, past one of the cotter pin holes, then turn it forward, to line it up with the slot.

But you probably know all of that already.

Does the spindle of the axle extend beyond the area of the grease cap? If not, get two rubber freeze out plugs. What size. 1.5". Put it in the hub, and tighten the nut till it is tight.

If the axle spindle extends too far out for this, Search an automotive shop for a tailpipe extension. Again size 1.5". If the extension is too loose, use aluminum foil air conditioning duct tape to build up the .062. Drive the exhaust extension in as far as required to give a good fit. Allow another 1" extra length beyond the spindle end. Cut off the rest. Now go back to the rubber freeze out plug to close it up. Good luck.

Take the other one with you go to a Marine Supply store and ask for the bearing cups that have a built in great fitting for the size your need.

Greetings.

Go to a trailer or boat dealer that handles boat trailers. I got a device that was called I believe a Bearing Buddy. It fits where your grease cap does and has a zerk fitting. All you have to do is put a grease gun on the zerk fitting and pump in the grease until the blue ring comes out and you have enough grease.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I didn't have any luck with any marine, RV, or trailer parts supply shops. Bob gave me inspiration on ways to fabricate a substitute, at least a temporary one, until I either find them someday or replace the whole axle. I was at a plumbing supply shop and saw a rubber sleeve and clamps (used for connecting steel to pvc DWV pipes). The sleeve fits nicely over the OD end of the hub and I clamped it down. In the opposite end, I put in an appropriate size pipe plug and clamped it also. It's ugly, but will keep the dirt out and the grease in.

That's the "best" solution, because it's done, and you can use your trailer now. I tend to try to fix everything to look and "be" as good as new. Consequently, I don't get a lot of things repaired!

So I'm learning that the "old school way," getting it back into service, is best in the long run.

Tom

Good work. Form follows function. Be mindful that if the pipe plug is not plastic, it may get off center, and then try to fling itself from your new hub cover. Try to keep the weight as low as possible.

forgemaster:

I don't know where you live but Princess Auto in Canada carries these as well as complete axle assemblies for trailers.

www.princessauto.com

They will deliver anywhere in the world.

UFG

Just a few to points to add Forgemaster,

A) you can use a brass punch to remove and seat the races.

B) do not spin the bearings with the air hose to dry them.

C) If you find a cup just a little smaller in diameter you can stretch it to fit.

Brad