Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

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Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby legojenn » Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:45 am

I tried to use my 40x48 Harbor Freight utility trailer with 8" wheels to get a dishwasher and one of the wheels were seized. I took the wheel off and there was water in there, the grease was milky, the bearings were seized and the race was gouged. Anyhow, I need to grow up learn how to fix this. YouTube seems to have some advice on it.

Does anyone know the spec for these bearings? Also, since the trailer is heavily used, I'm wondering if it's worth to replace the axle with something with standard North American specs.

Anyhow, thanks again.
Jenn
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Re: Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby bobhenry » Tue Jul 11, 2017 1:35 pm

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Re: Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby bobhenry » Tue Jul 11, 2017 1:40 pm

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Re: Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby swoody126 » Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:01 pm

it is likely that the specs are the same as similar units found elsewhere

remove the hub and cleanit out to your best ability

you can knock the races out w/ a long pin punch(i have destroyed a screwdriver or several doing this and it is not recommended)

look carefully inside the hub and you will see a slim edge of the race showing that you need to attack

move about that edge while attacking it so it comes out evenly/more easily

best done w/ the hub resting on a block of wood

here is a generic break down of a common hub assembly

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EGNRG ... 00-h309-no

both bearings and races will have numbers on them which any good bearing supplier will likely have

many auto parts stores have them and so does wally world in some cases

just replace the old w/ the new

also strongly suggest replacing the seals(they have numbers on them too)

strongly suggest using waterproof grease this time(i get mine @ Tractor Supply)

sadly you have proven a point i frequently make about filling the hub w/ grease to prevent/reduce water intrusion

GOOD LUCK

sw
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Re: Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby Tigris99 » Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:43 pm

Make sure to properly pack the bearings with grease and preload the bearings correctly otherwise youll burn them up or destroy things because of lack of lube/too loose

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Re: Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby Pinstriper » Wed Jul 12, 2017 4:33 pm

Tigris99 wrote:Make sure to properly pack the bearings with grease and preload the bearings correctly otherwise youll burn them up or destroy things because of lack of lube/too loose

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"Preload the bearings"...please to explain ?

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Re: Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby Tigris99 » Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:53 pm

Read up on how to install standard front hub bearings on older vehicles, particularly 2wd pickups and rears of older front wheel drive cars.

First: You pack grease into the bearings, install the inner bearing then seal in the hub. Put the hub onto the spindle, slide outer bearing in, spin up the nut.

Then tighten the nut a little at a time with a wrench or socket while spinning the wheel. Should be a bit tough to rotate at first each time you tighten just a little then start to free up. Keep doing this with small movements of the wrench until its rather hard to turn and doesnt free up within a couple rotations.

At that point back the nut back off and spin up by hand (if you have some forearm strength, if your a small guy spin the nut up by hand then about 1/8 of a turn with a wrench). Install cotter pin and cap.

Done.

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Re: Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby legojenn » Sun Jul 16, 2017 3:10 pm

Thanks for your help on this. I'm going to follow Bob's suggestion and go with Northern Tool hubs. That way, future changes will be easier. I remember having a mechanic do the bearings on the trailer when it was new due to my incompetence. It took him a while to find a set and the Timkens he used were over $100 per set, so a Using North American sized hubs will allow for a quicker and easier repair.

Thanks Swoody & Tigris for the packing advice. I will get it right this time.
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Re: Harbor Freight Bearing Specs

Postby godskid » Thu Jul 27, 2017 1:08 pm

Can Merlin (or Jiffy Lube, tho I'd have to find them) do bearing replacements? My Lil Guy Joey 5x7' trailer has about 11k miles on it, and I've never done bearings. I don't think I'm up to doing it myself. Any recommendations for where to take a small trailer?

Deb
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