Cracked axle bearing cup?

glesieutre

I greased my axle bearings today, service which was last done in a shop two years ago (with very few miles since then). I visually found a small nick in one of the bearing cups but, being at the edge, I thought the rolling components of the bearing would not contact it. I took a picture, which I did not study until everything was finished and buttoned back up. 

Looking at the picture now, I'm imagining that there might be two parallel cracks running from one side of the cup to the other. Have any of you seen something similar, is that what it looks like to you? Is this a common failure mode? 



Since this seems like a safety issue and we are headed for the Adirondacks and Algonquin in three weeks, I think I should replace all the cups and bearings pronto. I haven't done this myself before, but I've watched the Dexter video and it seems pretty straightforward. 

Thanks for any feedback. 

-George

WayneW

Rather than cracks, these look more like “minor” score marks or perhaps corrosion where there was a bit of moisture on the bearing and the trailer wasn’t moved for a while, resulting in the marks on the cup. I’ve seen worse corrosion and pitting, especially on boat trailer bearings. I don’t think the cup is cracked, and I don’t recall ever seeing a cracked cup on bearings that I’ve serviced or replaced. 

That being said, I’m not the one pulling the trailer!  Only you can decide if you are comfortable with the current bearings. It’s not a hugely difficult job to replace everything, but it’s certainly not a minor job either. 

ScottG

I would expect a crack to extend across the top edge of the cone, and to to not be so perfectly straight. I agree they look like minor score marks. Why they are there--and whether they pose any problem--I can't say.

glesieutre

Thanks for the thoughts, @WayneW and @ScottG, I appreciate them. I'll get the parts while I consider further. In the meantime, it's time for me to address convector connection corrosion. I expect that's going to be a real job.