SBS / Alko trailer maintenance

Tim M · 05 December 2006, 19:49

I have a smallish single axle SBS boat trailer which has an ALKO axle. It would seem that the dust covers on the hubs are pressed on, so I can't get them off. Can anyone suggest how on earth I go about removing them so I can replace the bearings should the need arise....

Tim

Hightower · 05 December 2006, 19:58

If there stuck fast then the only way of removal is heat or a screwdriver punched though the cap and lever it off. Source some new ones first or fit bearing savers.

matt h · 05 December 2006, 20:53

get a blunt screwdriver and gently tap all the way around gradually increasing in pressure and they will always pop off, then re use them,, they are cheap enough tho!! i do have two if you need them!!

Downhilldai · 05 December 2006, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

get a blunt screwdriver and gently tap all the way around gradually increasing in pressure and they will always pop off, then re use them,, they are cheap enough tho!! i do have two if you need them!!

Spot on

Don't re-use the hub nuts though. They're only a couple of quid for new ones.

Cookee · 06 December 2006, 09:04

I thought the Alko ones were sealed for life bearings?

Bern Hanreck · 06 December 2006, 10:42

If you only ever use them for the purpose they were intended ( Caravans ! ) , I guess they are sealed for life .

Put 'em on a boat trailer that enters salt water and it's a very different story .
Even complete replacement once a year may not be enough !

Jono · 06 December 2006, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

I thought the Alko ones were sealed for life bearings?

.....

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....ghlight=sealed

Bern Hanreck · 06 December 2006, 12:39

Rod Archer ( Sales Manager at Al-Ko ) just emailed me this......

" Yes salt water is a problem. It ( a workable solution ) may be difficult, AL-KO recommend that the trailer is put in the water after the brakes and bearings have cooled down following a road journey.Remove 1 wheel bolt, revolve the wheel with a hose spraying fresh water through the hole after the trailer has been taken from the sea.
AL-KO supply axles fitted with waterproof bearing for boat trailer.
AL-KO are developing a fresh water flushing system for braked boat trailer axles, early 2007. "

A step in the right direction perhaps ( the flushing ) , but I for one would like to be able to use a good old grease gun after each immersion .

Tim M · 06 December 2006, 12:47

These are definitely pressed on by machine as there is a "lip" pressed around the edge. Taking them off and replacing them in the way described here doesnt really seem ideal. The bearings are so called sealed for life.

I ask all this becasue I was always under the impression that becasue of the way the hubs were sealed, if your bearings went you had to replace the whole axle. I understand this isn't the case (many thanks for the bearing to have a look at Rogue Wave) as you can get replacement bearings. All my other trailers have normal DIY bearings with a dust cap that simply pops off with a screwdriver. . .

Jono · 06 December 2006, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

These are definitely pressed on by machine as there is a "lip" pressed around the edge. Taking them off and replacing them in the way described here doesnt really seem ideal. The bearings are so called sealed for life.

...Eh ? You've lost me here

All bearings, or at least races, (correction..most bearings) are pressed in/on by some mechanical device.. and I'm including thumping them with a block and hammer..OK JW ?

....

Look at this picture and you can see the split inner, which can be carefully separated...not that you should do this, of course....

Not all Al-Ko hubs have these bearings.

Tim M · 06 December 2006, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

...Eh ? You've lost me here

All bearings, or at least races, (correction..most bearings) are pressed in/on by some mechanical device.. and I'm including thumping them with a block and hammer..OK JW ?

....

Look at this picture and you can see the split inner, which can be carefully separated...not that you should do this, of course....

Sorry I should have been more clear. I was referring to the dust cap - it is pressed onto the hub.

Nos4r2 · 06 December 2006, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

I thought the Alko ones were sealed for life bearings?

Unless they are sourcing the bearings from somewhere way outside normal engineering channels there are no workable waterproof sealed for life bearings available that are suitable for prolonged(more than hitting a puddle) immersion and automotive use-specially in salt water.

AFAIK the 'sealed for life' tag comes from the fact that normal people can't get them apart and the grease is sealed in for life by the rubber seal. There's certainly no way they can be guaranteed to be sealed for life if they are dunked in the water while warm/hot unless they are airtight too-and that simply isn't possible at the cost you want to pay for a bearing.

Jono · 06 December 2006, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Sorry I should have been more clear. I was referring to the dust cap - it is pressed onto the hub.

Ah ha.. If you take 'em off with a bit of care.. I use a small, blunt cold chisel.. you can reuse them, no problem. I drive them back on with a bit of tube tickled out to fit on the flange/lip rather than hit the top/crown.. it keeps 'em nice and square...

Jono · 06 December 2006, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

....comes from the fact that normal people can't get them apart ....

Oi !! I represent that remark..

I'm as "normal" as the next man..... well certainly the bloke next to me.. now he's weird....

Nah.. a few simple tools... a bit of guidance ... and the use of a good press... and anyone can do it....although, I'm not saying you should....

Nos4r2 · 06 December 2006, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Oi !! I represent that remark..

I'm as "normal" as the next man..... well certainly the bloke next to me.. now he's weird....

Nah.. a few simple tools... a bit of guidance ... and the use of a good press... and anyone can do it....although, I'm not saying you should....

The point is, you know what you're doing. This hypothetical 'anyone'is quite likely to start by having to ask what a chisel is, have his fingers sewn back on twice and break his jaw/teeth/nose when the cheap ratchet slips ( Breaker bar? What's that?

)

Then eventually he'll give up and pay someone who knows what to do to remove the teeth and hair from the stub and fix the problem

Jono · 06 December 2006, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Then eventually he'll give up and pay someone who knows what to do to remove the teeth and hair from the stub and fix the problem

Exacta-mundo….! How do you think I make a living..?

Nos4r2 · 06 December 2006, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Exacta-mundo….! How do you think I make a living..?

I thought you were a bit more advanced than knowing where to hit with a 2lb lump hammer

CraigDiver · 06 December 2006, 15:42

Is it not possible to make a hole in the seal (which, if my memory serves right is made of a soft material like nylon) on the sealed bearing and just fire in some grease every now and then? (in effect, turning it into a good-old fashioned ball-race?

CraigDiver

Jono · 06 December 2006, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigDiver

Is it not possible to make a hole in the seal (which, if my memory serves right is made of a soft material like nylon) on the sealed bearing and just fire in some grease every now and then? (in effect, turning it into a good-old fashioned ball-race?

CraigDiver

... not a great idea.

Nos?.. we call a 2lber a "toffee hammer" up here..... "proper hammers" start at 4lb....

Limey Linda · 06 December 2006, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigDiver

Is it not possible to make a hole in the seal (which, if my memory serves right is made of a soft material like nylon) on the sealed bearing and just fire in some grease every now and then? (in effect, turning it into a good-old fashioned ball-race?

CraigDiver

Craig
I great big NO. You need to get some knowlegable help.