New trailer hubs and bearings on a trailer that sits.

[ofdphildo]

Hey guys, a few months back I replaced my trailer hubs with new CE Smith prepacked bearing and hub assemblies. The trailer hasn't been on the road since, I recently noticed that it looks like some of the oil (very small amount) was starting to separate from the grease/leak out of the hubs on the back of the rims. The boat stays on a lift and the trailer gets very little use, I just want it be road worthy should I need it. My question is, should I be exercising the trailer every so often to make sure everything stays ready and working?  Thanks.

[jh141]

Is it directly in the sun? Unless the hubs are getting hot and the grease is breaking down there should be no leaking even if it never moves. I have seen oil bath hubs do that. Not grease hubs. The reality is it probably is not a problem. You might want to take it for a ride every so often just to be safe.

[ofdphildo]

Yeah. She sits in the driveway in the sun. I have the wheels covered with RV wheel covers....I've had grease guns that sit in the garage for a while that seem to do the same thing.

[Bamaskeet]

It’s call bleed rate.  All greases bleed oil, particularly if there is either heat or pressure present.  Some grease bleed oil at a faster rate.

What I would be concerned with is the oil leakage past the rear seal.  Do you have a bad seal or perhaps the seal riding surface is compromised, it’s grooved or rough.

[triplec]

This ☝️

[ofdphildo]

Seals seem fine. I took it for 10 mile drive, no slinging of grease on the inner rim. I cleaned the rims good.  I'll take a look in a couple weeks to see what it looks like.

[Bamaskeet]

A little oil/grease leakage is beneficial, because it lubes the seal riding surface and reduces the wear on the seal lip.

Obviously,  too much seal leakage will cause water intrusion.