Reader you may recall that only two posts ago I mentioned I’d realised I didn’t have a spare wheel bearing set for the outback trailer. I decided to purchase a set and used them to replace the trailer right side bearings, keeping the old bearings as spares. Only 12 months ago I repacked the left side bearings so didn’t bother with them.
On Sunday I took the trailer down south on a fishing trip; collecting Ken on the way. We were two thirds of the way to our destination (250km) from home and 40km south of Manjimup when the low fuel light on the dash illuminated.
Ken and I agreed we would stop and add two 20 ltr jerrycans of diesel. Whilst doing this I walked around the trailer noticing a very hot smell from the left side. The left tyre was hot and the steel too hot to touch. Did we have a dragging brake? A check of the trailer handbrake cable indicated it was lose. Obviously not a dragging brake!
I then walked 6 metres to the rear of the trailer and looked back underneath. The right wheel was vertical but the left had a distinct lean. Something was seriously wrong and the most obvious cause was a failed wheel bearing.
The wheel was too hot to work on and we decided to camp for the night giving the wheel a chance to cool.
I had spare bearings <phew> but what if there was damage to the stub axle? That would be a more serious problem.
The next morning the wheel was cold. After removing the tyre and rim we found the problem. It wasn’t just a failed bearing. The brake drum had sheared in front of the back bearing.
The new drum with an arrow pointing to where the original drum had sheared.
We had no mobile phone coverage to call for help. It was agreed I would drive back to Manjimup and see if I could source a replacement drum and bearing set. Eventually I found an auto parts store which was able to source the replacement parts from Bunbury. They would arrive by courier at 3pm.
I drove back to Ken to wait the six hours until 3pm.
Meanwhile Ken informed me two vehicles had separately passed. They had seen the parked trailer and turned back to have another look. Only to then speed off when they noticed Ken.
By 4pm we were fitting the new bearing and drum. The electric brake magnet was ‘cooked’ and the brake shoes badly worn. I disconnected the brake wiring not wanting to cause a short and damage the rest of the trailer wiring.
There was no damage to the stub axle <relief>.
Worn brake pads
Worn backing plate
Cooked magnet with baked wiring
We were incredibly lucky. If we hadn’t stopped to refuel it’s almost certain the wheel would have fallen off and the stub axle dropped into the road. The trailer could have flipped pulling over the 4WD.
I’m now in the process of replacing the complete brake mechanism on both sides of the trailer.
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