Trailer wheel lug woes

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

You need a decent size torch Steve. Nice and orange. Worse case you go buy a new hub and all and new tire if you are going to replace the tire anyway. It isn't too expensive as it is a small trailer and tire anyway.Throw the whole thing in the trash. bearing grease works fine on the nuts too. I hope you are repacking, greasing your bearings every year, don't be lazy you will regret it, plus you can see what parts are failing. Now is the time of the year you see the poor guys on the side of the road who didn't take care of their bearings. If you don't know how stop by the shop and I will show, 2 new rear grease seals is all you need and bring the other project with you too. I am struggling with my tin too this year. Just busted off 3 of the 6 bolts that hold the lower unit on as I replaced the water pump. Corroded. Got them out and helicoiled them yesterday. put back together today barring any more fiasco's.

Paul, I repack the bearings each spring (Actually I replace them each spring) I want to take no chances. I never had this problem with the lug nut before. I always had no problem with them and take off the wheels each time I do the bearings. I also do lower unit lube and plugs on the motor each spring plus pull the prop and clean and grease all that up. The motor does not stay on the boat all winter either. I still have the original packing case with it's foam inserts. In early december it comes off of the boat, is cleaned up and everything under the cowling is sprayed with wd-40 and then she is packed away in the crate standing upright in my warm basement.

Ask Stiiftip, I'm anal about taking care of all that stuff. That is why first push of the starter button each spring she goes right over and purrs like a kitten.

Some of my friends laugh at how much work I put into a small boat. I just finished repainting the inside and re-surfacing and uerthaning the seats. I just redid the springs on the trailer this week along with new tie plates and bolts as well, and lastly I just ordered new fenders from Eastern yesterday for it. The old ones looked faded.

Are small boats and trailers supposed to be this much work?