There are so many different trailer parts and accessories that it can be a bit overwhelming. This is especially true if you are new to trailer ownership or just starting out in the industry. Discussions on gross vehicle weight ratings, tongue weight, drawbar pull, trailer brakes and tie-down hangers often dominate conversations online or at the local trailer supply parts counter. As a result, some of the most basic trailer components can be overlooked, including grease caps. But these little bits of metal serve a vital purpose in protecting your trailer wheel bearings from the dirt, dust, sand and road salt that can (and do) destroy them. Click here for more info on trailer hubcaps.
A common problem with trailer wheels is overheating, which can be caused by the rubbing of the wheel against the axle spindle. It's recommended that the axle hub bearings be removed, cleaned and repacked with grease on a regular basis. The process of doing this is not difficult, and can be done with a few simple hand tools. However, the problem comes when the trailer owner neglects to repack the grease caps on the wheels as well.
Some manufacturers, such as EZ Loader, use oil-lubricated hubs on some models of their trailers. In these types of hubs, oil coats the wheel bearings through centrifugal force every time the tire spins. This helps to keep the bearings lubricated, and can help to extend their life. However, some owners report that their oil-lubricated hubs are prone to leakage. It is recommended that these types of hubs be checked and repacked regularly (every 50,000 miles, at minimum) to prevent the loss of oil or the build up of excessive heat in the bearing assembly.
Another type of trailer hub is the grease-filled type, which is found on most trailers. These types of hubs are a bit more expensive, but they can offer peace of mind as they don't require periodic servicing as do the oil-lubricated hubs.
It is generally accepted that trailer wheel bearings should be removed, cleaned and repacked with fresh grease on a regular basis. This is especially important for boat trailers that are frequently used in salt water. Looking for the best professional dealing in hub caps, visit this company website.
Besides the fact that cleaning grease from the wheels is a bit messy, many trailer owners don't feel comfortable doing this at home. As a result, they tend to skip this vital step, and their bearings eventually suffer. A good solution to this problem is to buy a set of new trailer hub cap from Aircraft Spruce, which are available in both grease-filled and oil-lubricated versions.
A hub cap consists of a small, round, metal cover that sits at the center of a trailer wheel and is secured to the axle spindle by a castle nut or cotter pin. Most dust caps have a stud that goes into the lug of the wheel, and are easily removed by tapping it with a non-marring mallet in a variety of locations to break the seal loose. Once the dust cap is off, the cotter pin can be removed with needle-nose pliers or a screwdriver. A grease gun can be used to refill the hubs with a liberal amount of grease, making sure to completely fill each of the grease caps.
For more understanding of this article, visit this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubcap.
