How To Tell If Bearings Are Damaged On Trailer
Updated 09/26/2025 | Published 05/01/2025
Question:
Question, I do all my maintenance on my camper. When repacking my bearings, I somehow had my torque wrench set way too high. I torque and spin the drum as I go. I noticed that something wasn’t right and checked the wrench to find it set too high. My question is could I have damaged the bearings, if so what would I see? Thanks
asked by: Richard B
Expert Reply:
Hey Richard! The best thing you can do is jack it up and give the wheel a spin. You can also wiggle it back and forth. If there is a lot of play, or if the wheel wobbles or makes a grinding/squealing sound while spinning it is safe to say they're damaged.
If you visually inspect them damage would probably be pretty obvious. Nicks, dents, lines, spots, and discoloration of the metal are all indications they should be replaced. Might have damaged/crushed the race as well so I would take a look even if the bearings seem alright.
I don't know what "way too high" is exactly but if you think you really overdid it I would swap out the bearings just to be safe. Better to have a small headache now than a massive one with a failure driving down the highway.
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Robin H.
9/26/2025
Hey Richard, did you have a chance to check your bearings for any damage? I'm curious to know if you found any issues, as it could help others who might face a similar situation.