Question regarding Trailer Squeak

You know the drill..

Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner

Post Reply
Message
Author
C_M_25
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:12 pm
Location: Central Oklahoma

Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#1 Post by C_M_25 » Fri May 06, 2016 11:48 am

Hey guys. I can't tell if I'm being super sensitive to noises coming from my trailer given the crappy year I had last year because of a lot of trailer issues. I have this brand new tandem trailer after last year's fiasco, and I've noticed a squeak coming from one of the wheels. After I parked it today, I lifted up one side and spun the tires and I found that it is coming from around the inside seal of one of the wheels. None of the hubs were hot. They were surprisingly cool after an 8 mile drive from the lake, and there was no grease slung suggesting a failed seal. This sound is not internal, and it appears to be coming from the contact of the seal and spindle. I notice on the other wheels that this contact has some residual grease around this contact which prevents any noise, but this wheel spindle seems really dry and had some signs of rust. I'm thinking the rubber seal is just squeaking on this contact.

Question is: Is this a bad thing? Is this a sign the seal is about to go bad? Can I just add a little bit of oil or grease to that contact to cease the squeaking? Thanks in advance!
2014 Sweetwater 2086SW
90 Hp Yamaha 4-stroke

C_M_25
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:12 pm
Location: Central Oklahoma

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#2 Post by C_M_25 » Fri May 06, 2016 4:10 pm

I should also mention that it isn't a continuous noise. It just squeaks intermittently depending how fast the wheel is spinning. The sound isn't a metallic or grinding sound either. It is more of a rubber rubbing against something noise.
2014 Sweetwater 2086SW
90 Hp Yamaha 4-stroke

LadyGT
Posts: 215
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 12:14 pm
Location: Warner Robins, GA

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#3 Post by LadyGT » Fri May 06, 2016 4:44 pm

Contact the dealer and ask them. Is there a possibility it is still warranty?
Denise and Jim
2015 Encore 22' Cruise SE Grey
2001 Ford F250 Turbo Diesel

User avatar
MH Hawker
Posts: 1434
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2011 4:13 pm
Location: West Virginia

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#4 Post by MH Hawker » Fri May 06, 2016 5:06 pm

I would pull the wheel and take a look, aint any more nasty that a bad hub out on the road
If it aint broke your not having enough fun

James & Deb

1988 Riviera Cruiser 15 HP Mariner
05 Silverado Z 71 V8 5.3

illinoid
Posts: 128
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:43 am

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#5 Post by illinoid » Fri May 06, 2016 6:06 pm

A little rust is pretty abrasive and can damage the seal enough to let water in causing bearing problems. I would polish the spindle with crocus cloth and replace the seal.
[color=#FF0000]SOLD[/color]1975 24 ft Kayot, 1980 70hp Johnson formerly "Joy Toy", now named "Waterlogged" Sold
'03 F250 Powerstroke
2 60's 17ft Richline canoes Sold one

A place for everything...Everything out of place!

C_M_25
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:12 pm
Location: Central Oklahoma

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#6 Post by C_M_25 » Fri May 06, 2016 6:18 pm

My luck can't seriously be this had regarding trailers. Seriously. The damn trailer is brand new and now I have problems again. I'm getting sick of this crap.
2014 Sweetwater 2086SW
90 Hp Yamaha 4-stroke

User avatar
teecro
Posts: 1028
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:23 am
Location: Sunset Bay, TN

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#7 Post by teecro » Fri May 06, 2016 7:54 pm

C_M_25 wrote:My luck can't seriously be this had regarding trailers. Seriously. The damn trailer is brand new and now I have problems again. I'm getting sick of this crap.
Do you have black ominous thunder clouds following you around?
T CRO
2017 Berkshire CTS 24 RFX with Yamaha F150/Simomized 200
2015 Caravelle 16 EBo with Mercury 90

C_M_25
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:12 pm
Location: Central Oklahoma

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#8 Post by C_M_25 » Fri May 06, 2016 8:30 pm

I do live in oklahoma and that is common this time of year :biggrin2
2014 Sweetwater 2086SW
90 Hp Yamaha 4-stroke

User avatar
jafo9
Posts: 367
Joined: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:43 am
Location: Smith Lake, Alabama

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#9 Post by jafo9 » Sat May 07, 2016 2:59 pm

I feel your pain, however a small fix now is better than a disaster later. Don't ignore a strange noise.
2003 Premier Grand Majestic 250 PTX Honda 225 OB (PTX baby!)
2002 MasterCraft X30
2007 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2005 Kawasaki SXR800
2004 Yamaha SuperJet
1989 Kawasaki 650sx
Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama

C_M_25
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:12 pm
Location: Central Oklahoma

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#10 Post by C_M_25 » Sat May 07, 2016 7:14 pm

Will emery cloth work to remove the rust from the spindle as opposed to crocus cloth?
2014 Sweetwater 2086SW
90 Hp Yamaha 4-stroke

User avatar
teecro
Posts: 1028
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:23 am
Location: Sunset Bay, TN

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#11 Post by teecro » Sun May 08, 2016 2:40 pm

C_M_25 wrote:Will emery cloth work to remove the rust from the spindle as opposed to crocus cloth?
Yes....
T CRO
2017 Berkshire CTS 24 RFX with Yamaha F150/Simomized 200
2015 Caravelle 16 EBo with Mercury 90

C_M_25
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:12 pm
Location: Central Oklahoma

Re: Question regarding Trailer Squeak

#12 Post by C_M_25 » Sat May 14, 2016 2:23 pm

Well, I took apart one of my tailer hubs today for the first time. Everything looked good except there may have been some small rubber pieces on the spindle from the seal. The process was pretty simple surprisingly. The only trouble I had was the seal installation. I used the block of wood method to tap the seal in. One side of it went down and the other didn't. I managed to pop it back out and try again. I had to tap directly on the seal to get it in properly. I think it should be ok but I have an extra seal just in case. Pretty good learning session!
2014 Sweetwater 2086SW
90 Hp Yamaha 4-stroke

Post Reply