How to tell when caster wheels are shot?

[b-mack]

I am redoing a KR661 and have everything all set but am not sure if I should upgrade the casters or just replace them...They seem to work. Casters are Polymer with some surface rust around the bolts. How would you go about changing them if your box was full? Jack it up?

 

[lilredex]

I'd change them if they looked like this..


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Seriously, you could jack it up using a 4 X 4 on a pivot and block it high enough to remove old one. Works for me.

 

[allinon72]

They seem to work - so they are not "shot"

 

[Outlawmws]

If they roll nicely and don't have that "shopping cart" death rattle, and the swivel part is not silly loose, just get the rust off, lube and be done.

 

[tool_scrounge]

If they roll nicely and don't have that "shopping cart" death rattle, and the swivel part is not silly loose, just get the rust off, lube and be done.

+1 on this.

But upgrading casters does have its advantages

I upgraded the 4" casters on my old Kennedy tool box to higher grade 5" Colson casters and the difference in moving the box around was amazing. I discovered that my garage floor had a ever so slight slope as the tool box would slowly roll away if I did not set the brake.

 

[zkling]

If they roll nicely and don't have that "shopping cart" death rattle, and the swivel part is not silly loose, just get the rust off, lube and be done.

So funny, but so true.

I'd say no flat spots (within reason) and no axial play with the wheel as Outlaw mentioned. On some casters you can tighten them up. First thing I did to all my bottom boxes (all well used), got them, on their back, thoroughly cleaned inspected and lubed the casters. Much easier done when empty.

 

[whyNick?]

I'd change them if they looked like this..


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Wow, that one was bumping for a while before it was replaced, what'd it come off of?

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks like a floor jack wheel to me

 

[Farmall450]

I'd change them if they looked like this..


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Seriously, you could jack it up using a 4 X 4 on a pivot and block it high enough to remove old one. Works for me.

Someone forgot the brake on...and pulled it home behind their truck

 

[lilredex]

Yes, it came off an old floor jack that I found road side. Looks like after it seized, it just kept on truckin' all the way to Montreal and back a couple of times. I have it labelled as my "Friction Free" wheel.

 

[whyNick?]

Yes, it came off an old floor jack that I found road side. Looks like after it seized, it just kept on truckin' all the way to Montreal and back a couple of times. I have it labelled as my "Friction Free" wheel.

Wow, that's a lotta miles to wear it to a nub like that!

When I was a kid there was a girl in my neighborhood who always wore a pair of those old adjustable metal skates with steel wheels. They made a terrible noise as she skrunched down the street in them and one time when I saw them close up I figured out why, all of the wheels were worn down to the nub and practically square. I can't imagine how she made them 'roll', it probably would've been easier and faster for her to just shuffle her feet down the street!

 

[bobcatdan]

The 6" caster, which should be on a kr661 will be geasable not only for the axle, but the swivel also. So unless the box has a million miles on it, I can see how the casters would be shot.

 

[b-mack]

Thanks for all the good advise guy's...Casters on the 661 seem to be ok only issue I see is that that I can see the ball bearings in the swivel, not sure if that means they are loose or if that is normal, it's only a small space. I am new to the forum and once I learn how to upload pictures I will take a picture of what I am talking about.

 

[fitz11]

Thanks for all the good advise guy's...Casters on the 661 seem to be ok only issue I see is that that I can see the ball bearings in the swivel, not sure if that means they are loose or if that is normal, it's only a small space. I am new to the forum and once I learn how to upload pictures I will take a picture of what I am talking about.

That is normal and a little grease will prolong their life. Welcome to the forum!