Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
If the packing job is done correctly with new seals, new grease and the castle nut is put on to the correct tightness, you should be good to go for a season of use. At years end, you might find a few droplets of water in the hubs, because of the multiple dunkings a trailer takes with warm bearings (overly warm is not a good thing here) and a seal that is impossible to make 100% water tight. I have never found much for water in mine, but it can, and will happen. I have never heard of a triple lipped seal as you mention, though... I'd be interested in seeing one...
The safe bet is to replace seals and repack bearings every fall (for those of us in da nort country doncha no..) before you store the boat. This removes any potential of water sitting within the hub, which over time can cause pitting, rust, etc. and a hassle in the spring for cleaning it up.
Many times, especially with bearing "protectors" such as bearing buddies, people over-grease the hub, blowing the seal out in the rear. Not only does it make a mess on your rims, but the seal has then been compromised and water intrusion is inevitable. I am of the opinion the hubs do not need THAT much grease at all... I give it more than I would a bearing on a utility trailer, though, but only enough to get the spring in the bearing buddy to move just a touch...any more than that I feel you run the risk of blowing out the rear seal....which can make for a really bad day on the road...
The other big thing that can cause it are hubs that get too hot. If you stop at a gas station, rest area, etc., always check the hubs for warmth...if they are luke-warm to the touch, you are good. If it is hot to the touch (where you can bear your palm on it, but it'd be hot) it is too warm and is a sign of something wrong (most likely a hub that is too tight). Over tightening your hubs will create heat, and thus when you dunk your trailer, there is a bit of pressure difference between the inner hub and the water pressure acting upon it. Hot hubs cause things to expand (like holes in metal will get larger...i.e. your seals at the back of the hub) and a quick entrance to cooler temps will draw water in.
Steve
Edited by VMS 10/31/2011 9:10 PM
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