Trailer Bearing Failure Big Time!

[old Jack]

Is the heel and toe wear only on one outer edge of the tyre or both?
If you run your hand slowly over the centre section of the tyre tread, around the circumference of the tyre can you feel up/down sections, a change in tread height?
If the wear the same on both tyres?
Have the tyres been rotated from side to side?
Confirming tyres are Cooper ST Maxx (from look of tread pattern) have these been on the trailer since new or were they secondhand from the 4wd when fitted to the trailer?
If secondhand when fitted to the trailer, were they evenly worn or were they uneven?

OJ.

[Pajshomoneroguntero]

Thanks OJ responses in green.

Is the heel and toe wear only on one outer edge of the tyre or both? Just the inside shoulder.
If you run your hand slowly over the centre section of the tyre tread, around the circumference of the tyre can you feel up/down sections, a change in tread height? No
If the wear the same on both tyres? No. Only this tyre worn in the lead up to the initial bearing failure.
Have the tyres been rotated from side to side? They have. Were swapped when I changed the bearing on this side (red grease).
Confirming tyres are Cooper ST Maxx (from look of tread pattern) have these been on the trailer since new or were they secondhand from the 4wd when fitted to the trailer? They were brand new. Probably done ~20000 km now.
If secondhand when fitted to the trailer, were they evenly worn or were they uneven?

OJ.

[old Jack]

Ok, New tyres, New Bearings, Heel and Toe wear on one side of the tyre only and 2 bearing failures, I would be checking the stub axle alignment to the suspension trailing arm (I see on the first post the photos indicate independent suspension on the trailer, is this correct?) or the alignment of the trailing arm to the chassis.

OJ.

[Pajshomoneroguntero]

Correct but I'd say that the tyre wear was caused by the first bearing failure particularly after the inner bearing disintegrated. That tyre is now on the other axle and doesn't look like the wear has advanced any further.

I might just replace the bearings again and pack with the Castrol grease you've mentioned already and see how we go as I can keep a close eye on it. There are no more big trips planned for the foreseeable future. Actually the next trip will be the 30 metres from the garage to the front yard since we can't go anywhere else.

[old Jack]

You can easily check to see if the stub axle is bent.
1.You need to cut a aluminium extrusion that will span the width of the wheel rim without touching the tyre.
2. Park the camper on a level surface and check it is level left to right, if not add packers under the low tyre.
3. Place the cut length of the extrusion vertically across the centre section of the rim, and using a digital level app on a smartphone measure the vertical angle of the wheel rim, this will be checking the camber. Both sides should be the same angle.
4. Place the cut length of extrusion horizontal across the centre section of the rim, and using a digital compass app on a smartphone measure the horizontal angle of the wheel rim, this will be checking the toe in/out relationship for each wheel to the other, this angle should be the same.

From experience with the ST Maxx, you need about 5,000kms of tyre wear to get about 2mm difference in outer tread lug heel toe wear, based on a wheel load of 600kg per tyre.

How many kms did you do with the loose wheel bearing?

OJ.

[Geoff]

You can easily check to see if the stub axle is bent.
......

Yep, or you could put the trailer on stands and fit a pair of bare rims to the hubs and measure rim to rim.

[nvll.mrrs]

I don't subscribe to pumping the hub full of grease until it comes out around the seal. Firstly with a regular trailer seal the lip faces inward so any positive pressure within the hub will make it seal better. The grease will only push out the seal or the grease cap. Secondly with the hub full of grease there is less room for any air expansion when the hub heats and again the inner seal or the grease cap will push off.
Peter

Yes totally agree I should have said when the bearings are hot. But still never going to be the answer totally.