SBS / Alko trailer maintenance

[Tim M]

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]

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]

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]

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]

I thought the Alko ones were sealed for life bearings?

[Bern Hanreck]

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]

Originally Posted by Cookee

I thought the Alko ones were sealed for life bearings?

..... Al-Ko sealed hubs....

[Bern Hanreck]

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]

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]

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.