Trailer bearing seals

[Diamondpilot]

Ok, I need help.

I am currently working on a trailer projects but this one has me stumped. I have done 100's of trailer bearing/cup and seal repacks or replacements. I am working on a boat trailer with tandem 3,500# axles. I pulled all apart and washed it up in the parts washer. The seals that came out are part#168255TB

For those of you who do not know the 168 stands for 1.68" ID and the 255 stands for 2.55" OD.

I gave this part # to the Napa guy and he told me they crossed over to Timken 442251. Well before I went to put it all back together tonight at 8pm I decided to measure them with my digital calipers. The outside diameter is no problem, right at 2.55" but the ID is 1.71".

So the problems is the ID is 1.71" instead of 1.68" making it .03" too large. Do you guys think it will leak or did they cross it over wrong? I called them back and they said this is what it crosses to but my gut tells me its not going to work, just feels too loose.

Chris

 

[B7510HSD]

not sure on the napa # but it's a National # 470460 and that is the size you stated..?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks. That gets me closer. I will have to run back to the parts store first thing in the morning.

It was driving me nuts so I went out to the shop just a minute ago and check again and the surface where the seal seats is 1.68" and the seal with 1.71" is just a little too lose. Funny thing is I had another 3,500# axle here for another trailer I am working on for a lawn mowing company and I measured it and it is 1.71" so maybe the guy just got what he was used to getting. That axle is a Dexter. The axle's under this boat trailer are a custom made axle for Tennessee Trailer Company. It still uses the same cups and bearing as a normal 3,500# unit, just the seal is different. Makes things a Pain.

Chris

 

[B7510HSD]

My guess would be if it is not an oil bath type bearing which I don't think it is it is a packed grease type for the most oart i always was told the seal was basically a dust shield so it may not make that much difference anyways?

 

[Skyco]

In the bearing industry shielded and sealed bearings are two completely different things. The seal has to expand a little to work, if it is any amount loose it will leak grease and/or let dirt and water in..

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yea, think it will leak. It has Buddy Bearings on it so there is constant pressure so it has to be tight. I will take all the info I have and head to Napa at 9am. There is also a RV dealer down the road I can try. If not I did some searching on the net last night and these seals are what EZ Loader boat trailers used so I can get them for $2.99 each plus shipping.

Chris

 

[Willl]

Chris, just a thought, can you get a 'beauty ring' for that axle ?

(edit; "beauty ring" = speedy sleeve)

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not sure what a beauty ring is but here is the latest. I got on the phone for 2 hours this morning and found 4 seals about 25 miles away. So I drive there and get them but they have rubber on the outer surface instead of just metal. The rubber coating was very thin, probably .01"


Anyway I put it all together and and all was fine until I went to top off the Buddy Bearing and it blew the seal out the back side. Plus on my way home I got my first speeding ticket where the speed limit dropped from 45 to 30. He said he clocked me at 47 in the 30.

So I get to pay a $125 ticket, the first one in my 20 years of driving, and order the seals from the trailer manufacture. I talked to a guy there and they have them for $4 each so the price is not bad but will be mid week before I get them.


Chris

 

[Sandlot]

The seal I.D. should be a bit smaller than the axle. Here is what I found for the specs.

Product ID: 168255TB
168255TB Grease Seal Details


I.D. Size: 1.620" -- O.D. Size: 2.560"

 

[Diamondpilot]

Found a link to a dealer who has what I need. Here is the PDF of all the seal. Will order them on Monday.

Chris

 

[Ryan03]

I would order an extra set of seals, since they seem to be so hard to find and are relatively inexpensive.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well got the seals today and all seems good. Here is what I learned. Not all 3,500# axles are the same. I have probably done this job over 100 times maybe more on at least 75 trailers and never seen anything but the standard bearing, race, and seal package.

Here was the differences I found on this job. A standard 3,500# axles takes bearings 68149&44649, races 68111&44610, and seal 171255

These axles took bearings 68149&44649, races 68110&44610, and seal 168255.

The differences are the race 68110 instead of the standard 68111 and the before mentioned seal 168255 instead of the standard 171255.

If running down the road and spinning a bearing you would probably be looking at 48 hrs to get the parts needed to put it back together. I ordered a full extra set for this hub/axle and put them in a zip lock bag pre-greased along with a small container of bearing grease and put them it the trailers tool box.

I was telling a guy I know about this and the same thing happened to them with a camper. They spun a bearing 45 miles from the destination on a week long vacation. This happened on a Sunday and it was 4pm Tuesday before they were back rolling. He said Sunday was a loss for locating parts and they spent the entire day Monday driving 100 miles to a bearing supplier after trying every Napa, AutoZone, Trailer Dealer, and Truck Stop with no luck. The bearing dealer did not have them either but was able to order them Next-Day-Air. He had to pick them up, drive 100 miles back and install them before they could get rolling at almost dinner time. What a way to start a week long vacation, loosing 3 days.

Anyway, check what you have and when you repack or inspect take down the numbers and get a extra set of bearings, races, and a seal. Put in the trailer or tow vehicle along with some grease, rubber gloves, paper towels, and the minimum tools necessary to do the job. It will be the best $20 you ever spend.

Chris

 

[Skyco]

Aaah yeah- part of the reason I only like Dexter stuff Of course sometimes you have no choice.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well, like I said I do this job a lot. Did three trailers in the last 2 weeks. One had who knows axles, one had Alko, and one had these odd ball axles. Every other one I have ever done has been standard stuff but not this particular one.

Chris

 

[Bird]

I was telling a guy I know about this and the same thing happened to them with a camper. They spun a bearing 45 miles from the destination on a week long vacation.

I think it was 1973 when it happened to my parents on the Alaska Highway in Canada, back when it was a dirt and gravel road. They did get into a "lodge"; i.e., service station, etc., got bearings and seals ordered and had to wait a couple of days for them to arrive via bus. Then it was the right bearings, but the wrong seal. The seal was too big in diameter, so Dad sawed a break in it, forced it in place, and got to this end of the Alaska Highway (Dawson Creek) before fixing it right. Fortunately, he was retired so they didn't have any schedule to keep.

 

[ScottAR]

That 68110 race is a different bearing set... a13 or a15 as a guess since I don't have my stock here at home. The seal thing is a pain. I've ran into those funny axles as well...

 

[ArTrvlr]

Anyway, check what you have and when you repack or inspect take down the numbers and get a extra set of bearings, races, and a seal. Put in the trailer or tow vehicle along with some grease, rubber gloves, paper towels, and the minimum tools necessary to do the job. It will be the best $20 you ever spend.

Chris

I bought a two axle trailer (3500# each axle) with brakes on one axle only. When I added brakes to the other axle I saved the plain hubs (they were still low mileage), cleaned everything up, re greased, bagged and boxed 'em up and they have been in the trailer tool box ever since. Great for peace of mind on a long trip. Or even just across town.
jp