How to replace rollers with boat on trailer

[turbinedoctor]

Sounds like a lota fun, right. Maybe, lets just see.

Not having a lot of time to put into the job at one time, I decided not to put the boat in the water for this job. It's a good thing since it's turning out or I'm going farther then expected.

I started with the port side rear rollers because, ....... well thats just where I started. First I had to support it at the stern so I lowered the bow with the jack, second placed blocks and wood under the stern and then raised the bow putting weight on the blocks until I had the roller just free from the hull.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0630.sized.jpg

Then I was able to start removing the rollers. I found that I needed to remove the roller arms to cut and grind and then punch out the roll pins.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0631.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0637.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0641.sized.jpg

My Dremel works great in these tight places. I found these quick change wheels and arbor at Lowes. The wheels last a lot longer then the regular wheels.

With the outer roll pin cut and washer removed I was able to cut the inner pin.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0642.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0643.sized.jpg

Please excuse the blurry picture above. After working a 12 hour night and then on this for 2 hours it look pretty good at the time.

Now its time to punch out whats left of the pins.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0647.sized.jpg


With the pins removed and cleaned a little you can see the grove that the rollers cut into the shaft.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0633.sized.jpg

[turbinedoctor]

Since I'm not a millionare I am going to reuse the roller arms. I'll wire brush them and give a few coats of zinc paint.

I already have the new rollers, hog rings and square bend bolts for the roller arms.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0629.sized.jpg

The main arm would not flip and flop so I started to loosen the bolts and lube. Heck I'm this far into it I may as well replace the bolts and clean up the brackets.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0632.sized.jpg

I dont know what to call them but it's the part that the roller arms sit on, since they don't swish and sway I'm cutting them loose, cleaning and replacing there square bend bolts too.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0631.sized.jpg

I have an old style jack that is fairly worn and have been thinking about replacing it. When I went to pick up the rollers and bolts I asked the price of them and figured a bill this large whats another $40.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0628.sized.jpg

So it's off with the old and on with the new.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0654.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0655.sized.jpg

Here's a few pictures I didn't work into the story so far, figured I'd put them in now.

Drift punches

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0651.sized.jpg

Dremel Quick change arbor.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0650.sized.jpg

Worn out roller washers.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0645.sized.jpg

Spare parts motor for $100.00

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0656.sized.jpg


Thats all for now. One further thought, I HOPE I GET FINISHED BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS.

[macojoe]

Looking good!!

Just one thing, it is much better to use a light oil, or WD40 for lube in this area then Grease, all the grease does is collect dirt, and jam up the works!

[C YENSEN]

Nice job Turbine. glad you posted pics. good luck finishing it ;D i might do that this year as well

[turbinedoctor]

Thanks guys. I'll have more pics in a few days when I get time to work on it more.

[turbinedoctor]

Well between different shifts and vacation I finished that set of rollers but did not take time to get pics of the work. Will get pics of the finished product.

That set turned in to replacing all the associated bolts while I had it out. I will replace all the bolts for the next sets also.

I started on the starboard stern set today and have made as much progress in 2 hours as I have in 2 weeks on the other side. It helps when you have all the parts at hand when you start and have an idea of whats involved.

I am hoping that Air will pull through with 4 of the bolts I will need to do the forward roller sets. :-*

[shore-power]

WHy didnt you use the yellow urathane rollers? ???

[turbinedoctor]

WHy didnt you use the yellow urathane rollers? ???


I would have to replace the roller arms since the shaft length was to short for them. I thought about doing an upgrade to that type but I would be well over half way to the cost of a new trailer.

[turbinedoctor]

Here are the finished pics of the Starboard side as promised.

New Hog rings, washers, roller and grease.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0950.sized.jpg

[turbinedoctor]

New swivel pad bolts.


http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0949.sized.jpg

[turbinedoctor]

New support arm bolts and frame bolts. Now it tilts and swivels real easy.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0951.sized.jpg

[turbinedoctor]

Working on starbord side now. New bolts and I added spacer washers to get more room between the support arm and brackets.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0946.sized.jpg

[turbinedoctor]

Cleaned and greased swivel pad and installed new bolts. Also found a stuck roller on this side as on the other. Thats two stuck rollers I had to push against to get the boat off the trailer.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0948.sized.jpg

Man this has got to be an improvement. SP can vouch for how hard it was the time my truck almost rolled into the water too.

[turbinedoctor]

No pics but I have the rollers removed and the arms ready to clean and install new rollers. Two hours and I should be done with the stern rollers then on to the forward rollers.

[turbinedoctor]

Just thought I would add an update on the new Dremel quick change cut off wheels.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album132/100_0650.sized.jpg

I used the regular type on the first roller I did and it took 1.5 cutoff wheels. I started using the new ones which claim to last 2 times longer, well I have cut off 7 rollers and am still using the same wheel. I would highly reccomend these to anyone who uses Dremel tools. ;D

[turbinedoctor]

Well I kinda forgot about this thread for a while but the job is completed. Just thought I would share the results with ya.

In the old days I would unhook the safety chain and leave some slack in the winch cable and while backing down the ramp I would hit the breaks to give it a little extra jump. Then I still had to push my guts out and even had the stern of the boat floating in the water. What a chore it was to launch.

Now with the stuck rollers removed and new rollers all the way around I just back down the ramp and stop before the hubs hit the water, the stern is still about 4" above the water, and I have to winch the boat off in order to keep control of it. I tried to used the break on the winch but it was still to fast. WOW what a difference thses new rollers make.

Since I don't have the trailer as far down into the water my keel hits the cross arm when loading and unloading. I have installed a new ( never had one before) keel roller on the rear cross arm for it to ride up on.

This project was well worth the money and time spent on it. :D

[macojoe]

Thats great, I think! I went from a crap trailer to my New Load-rite and it is the same way as your new rollers!
You have to watch what you are doing now, I almost lost the boat on the ramp!! NOw not even the safty chain comes off until I am right at the water.
I have no break and my winch just takes right off, So I tie the bow rope around the stop post and let line out till I can get the winch cable off, then let her go, better not be anyone behind you cause she is hitting the water at 10 knots right from the trailer. :o

[rebel44]

fyi all..

a friend jacked his car up and supported it with cinder blocks like that.

They crushed. Transmission on his chest killed him...He was 18.

Don't trust cinder blocks to hold a heavy load.