Grease in trailer axle bearings instead of gear oil?

I think the 1st thing I would do is Jack it up and check for end play and any noise. And the same with the others for comparison. Too hot to hold your fingers on the hub?

 

I agree. If its hot its likely an adjustment issue. Either that or the brake is dragging slightly and transmitting the heat through to the hub.

 

I can hold my hands to it but quite a bit hotter than other 3. 40-50° ambient temp and 698 miles today. I'll jack it up and see how it feels but not too sure what happens then. Jumped to hotshot from a company semi driver so from no touch maintenance to all mine. Lost a hub 1st month so constantly checking but learning as I go. Fairly mechanical but what to look for is the hard part for me.

 

Well, you’re checking your hubs and that’s what the pros do.

 

Yeah that was a $1500 lesson. Thx for the input, is there a short term bandaid till I can get delivered and pull it apart? More grease, oil??

 

Has it leaked any? Can you look from behind and see any grease? I would compare it to one that’s running cool. Feel for play, should be able to feel a tiny bit, by pushing/ pulling at one point of the tire, spin it, compared to the cool hub, see if it’s too tight, or the brakes are too tight. A little oil won’t hurt. But most grease type hubcaps I’ve seen aren’t vented. Too much oil may cause a seal to blow. Just my thoughts. Not an expert. I’ve had them fail twice, because Shops put them too tight. Actually did that myself once, noticed it was hot, loosened it up a bit, and re torqued it. If it’s a 2 nut system sometimes the final torque on the outer nut, tightens the inner one up too much. Due to sloppy threads, on the inner nut, I suppose. Be sure to put whatever type of locking washer/ tab/ or locking nut, back in place properly.

 

Thanks again for input, looks like I've got some work to do before starting out
tomorrow.

 

I would put a gauge on it and adjust it to what the manufacturer says.

When you initially pack the bearings, the void in the hub should be filled halfway around, and the same way with the hubcap, halfway.

I have grease hubs in my trailer and I will check them every year.

 

Again, thanks for everyone's thoughts. Regrettably here is where I show myself to be a complete bonehead. So I got up at 4:30 this morning to work on it jacked it up inspected it we attempted to grease it ended up adding oil and began my pre-trip around 6:00. Well I'm very good at consistently doing my pre trip, however the same cannot be said for my post trip so as I begin my pre-trip sure enough the inside tire on that hub is flat no indication as to what happened just took it off put the spare on 400 miles later still no issues no warmer than the other three. Another lesson learned the hard way

 

Was the inside tire ruint? That flat tire may have caused the extra heat on the hub. Also, now keep an eye on the outside tire. It could have been compromised if ran overloaded for an extended period. One should bounce tires every couple hours. Good luck. My cousin runs a hot shot co. out of bakersfield. I know how hard y’all run.