Escapade Elite WHEEL BEARING MAINTENANCE

WARNING: Wheel bearings and cups will “seat” in the wheel hub the first
time the trailer is towed. It is VERY IMPORTANT to check the trailer wheels
for any “Play” after approximately 200 miles of initial use. To accomplish this,
simply elevate the trailer so the wheel is off the ground. Then move the wheel
from side to side by grasping the tire / wheel at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions
with your right and left hands respectively, and alternately “pushing and
pulling” in and out on the wheel. If the wheel feels too loose (e.g. lateral play
is evident) you will need to remove the wheel, hub cap and dust cover. Remove
the cotter pin and tighten the castle nut 1 or 2 notches. Then, insert a NEW cotter
pin, install the dust cap, hub cap, and wheel. Repeat the process for the
other wheel. FAILURE TO CHECK THESE HUBS FOR PLAY COULD RESULT
IN DAMAGING THE WHEEL HUBS AND/OR WHEEL BEARINGS.
Additionally, due to lack of use as well as climate conditions, WHEEL BEARINGS
SHOULD BE CLEANED AND REPACKED (PER THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE) AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY RIDING SEASON AND AFTER EVERY 2500 MILES OF USE.

Wheel Bearing Removal:
NOTE: Before starting the discussion of wheel bearing maintenance, please
familiarize yourself with the standard roller bearing and the nomenclature used
in the Owner’s Manual.
1. Remove lug nuts and wheel assembly. Remove the cotter pin, adjusting
nut (castle nut) and washer from the wheel spindle.

2. Pull the wheel hub towards you to loosen the outer bearing cone. Don’t
Let the cone fall to the ground. As the hub is removed, the inner bearing
and grease seal will come with it. Observe which direction the inner seal is
facing. Pry out the inner seal and discard.

3. Remove all old lubricant from the hub assembly and wheel spindle with
kerosene or mineral spirits.

CAUTION: do not use gasoline to clean and remove the old lubricant). Inspect the spindle for scoring, bending, thread or other damage. A light grease coating on the spindle will make bearing installation easier and prevent rust from forming.

4. Inspect cups in the hub for pitting, metal flaking, scoring, rust or other obvious
damage. Remove any damaged cups with a mild steel bar. Replace cups and cones in matched sets only; not one at a time.

5. Use cup driver or mild steel bar to press or drive the new cup into the hub
assembly until solidly seated against the hub shoulder. Be careful not to
damage cup surface. NEVER use a cone to drive a cup.

6. Using a long bristled brush and kerosene or mineral spirits, wash all old
lubricant from cones. Allow to air dry.

WARNING: Do not spin the bearings at any time with air gun because the
rollers may escape through the cage and fly out from the bearing, thereby creating
a risk of being struck. Once cleaned, inspect cones for wear, metal flaking, rust, cage damage or other visual damage. Replace all damaged cones with matching cups.

7. Repack cones immediately after inspection or fresh from carton. To hand
pack cones, force wheel bearing grease under the cage between the rollers
from the large end of the rollers until it shows at the small end. Fill the hub
with grease to the inside diameter of the cup.

8. Install the repacked inner cone in hub (the cone which slides on the wheel
spindle first), then install the new grease seal. Make sure the new seal
faces in the same direction as the original; the lip should face the grease.
Press fitting tools should have an outside diameter approximately .010”
smaller than the hub bore size and for best results, the center of the tool
should be open so that pressure is applied only at the outer edge.

9. Position the seal properly on the hub and using a proper driving force,
such as an arbor press or soft wood tapped with a hammer, apply force
evenly around the outer edge. Once installed, check for alignment and any
inadvertent installation damage.

10. Lubricate the grease seal before attempting to install and slide wheel assembly
back on spindle, being careful not to damage the seal against the
spindle threads. Insert grease-packed outer cone, washer and adjusting nut.

11. Tighten the adjusting nut (castle nut) by 1/6 to 1/4 turn or to the nearest locking
hole, or sufficiently to allow the wheel to rotate freely within limits of .001” to .010” end play. Lock nut in this position using a NEW cotter pin.

WARNING: FAILURE TO BACK OFF ADJUSTING NUT WILL CAUSE
THE BEARING TO RUN “HOT” AND BE DAMAGED. THE WHEEL
COULD THEN LOCK OR COME OFF DURING OPERATION!!!!!!

HUBS
For maximum performance from your Sport Wheels and to avoid damage to your trailer, observe the following precautions:
· When buying a replacement hub, check that the hub flange is no smaller than a diameter of ? ”.
· The replacement hub must accept the 1” bearing (Part Number L44643) and matching cup.
· Torque all lug nuts holding the wheel to 75 ft. lbs.


Bearings / Cups/Seals: P/N
Hub Bearing L44643
Hub Cup / Race L44610
Hub Seal 121982 VH