You should jack it up once a year and check for wheel “wobble”. Which is a sign that the bearing needs tightening. Pull the cotter key and tighten the nut until the slack is out but it still spins freely. If it looks like it has had water in it then the seals and bearings probably need replacing. Bearings are pretty tuough if you keep clean grease in them.

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Posted by Wilson

Metairie

Member since Jul 2011

240 posts

Posted on 4/21/19 at 12:42 pm to sawtooth

quote:
I change out my whole axle assembly every 4 years whether it needs it or not. The springs are on a 2 year interval. (I do fish salt water)

I have been stranded twice on the side of the interstate due to trailer issues. It all depends on how much you are willing to roll the dice. I would change them out ASAP.

How hard is it to change springs, say on a duck boat trailer?

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Posted by sawtooth

Baton Rouge

Member since Jul 2017

3588 posts

Posted on 4/21/19 at 8:26 pm to Wilson

It usually takes me less than an hour. That all depends on how rusted everything is. You need to jack up the trailer to be able to take the tension off of springs. Take one of them out and bring to your local trailer shop. I usually apply some sort of antiseize to everything so that it all comes apart easier the next time I do it. Its pretty easy and springs are cheap.

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Posted by Jopete

New Iberia

Member since Apr 2019

373 posts

Posted on 4/21/19 at 9:55 pm to sawtooth

every few years I just buy a new complete axle with hubs. it's not that exspensive and you will have piece of mind. if you burnup your bearings, you probly have damaged the spindle on the axle anyway. when they snap and the trailer hits the road, it's not a fun time.

also, put new springs if they look rotted out.

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