Potential Causes for Trailer Hub to Heat Up

Updated 10/17/2024 | Published 02/26/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3.5K Axles - 10" - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased

(1918)

$106.14

LubriMatic Prime Guard High Temperature Wheel Bearing Grease - Red - 16-oz Can

(236)

$21.58

Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes

(224)

$11.04

Question:

I ordered this one accidentally for my lippert axle. I noticed today after i used it down the road, the hub was scorching hot. Bearings are packed and spindle is lubed. Castle nut isnt over tightened, it was backed off 1/4 turn. Any idea if its cause its a dexter hub and lippert axle causing the overheating? The grease wasnt burnt up nor did anything look damaged. I also installed a new brake on the mounting plate unless that has something to do with it?

asked by: Justin C

Expert Reply:

So long as a hub uses the correct bearings that match the dimensions of the spindle that is on the axle there is no worry about using two different brands of products, such as a Dexter hub on a Lippert axle. That in itself is not a concern.

When a hub heats up it is usually from either inadequate lubrication or a castle nut that is too tight; you confirmed that neither of these applies in your situation.

If the trailer is overloaded with more weight on each hub than they are rated for this too can lead to higher hub temperatures. So can using the wrong type of grease; be sure to use high-temperature wheel bearing grease like # L11380. Do note that it is generally not a good idea to mix grease types. The linked article on lubricating grease may help you too.

The other most-common cause is a problem with the brakes. If the drum brake pad pressure is adjusted too high or if there is a damaged component in the brake assembly those things could also cause the hub to heat up to an excessive temperature. Since you did recently install a new brake shoe I would check that installation. You can use the brake adjustment tool # W80630 to adjust the brake shoe pressure so that you can still just rotate the hub by hand, but not have it spin freely. Please refer to the linked video.

Although we do offer brake shoes and other small components to re-build drum brakes we usually recommend to customers that they replace the entire brake assembly. Sometimes this option is actually LESS money than even just a few replacement parts. A whole new brake naturally offers you the advantage of having no old parts left in the brake and the installation of an entire assembly often takes less time than replacing even just a few small parts.

expert reply by: Adam R

Michele B.

10/17/2024

I would like to know my son‘s trailer axles keep on heating up blowing tires out he replaced everything breaks axle everything on it and it’s still heating up what could be the problem

Jesse M.

10/17/2024

@MicheleB hard to say without looking at the trailer. If the brakes are over adjusted they can cause heat build up. I have seen some trailers where part of the tire rubs on the frame and causes heat buildup, but that should be pretty obvious if that is the case. The issue is most likely hub/brake related. That or he is just going too fast. Exceeding the speed rating of the tire can cause things to overheat also.