Hub for E-Z Lube Spindle on Boat Trailer

Question:

Thank you for your information page. I have measured all parts that I took apart and found following. Grease seal O.D. ~2.5 I.D ~1.75 Outer bearing L44649 Inner bearing no number can be found I.D ~1.375 Based on above assessment, it looks like what I have is 3500lb trailer. So, after more research, I found following two items. AKIHUB-545-35-G-K Q-HUB84545 One has bearings and the other one doesn't. What is the quality difference in those two? Are they practically the same quality or one is better than the other one? Also, should I use just dust cap or is it a good idea to use bearing buddy like previous owner did to double it up? Also, my spindle has grease gun connector (Zerk filling) at the front. I researched internet and it looks like all EZ-Lube that I found had a hole in the back of spindle, so it would push old grease out to front. Interestingly, my spindle had a hole in the middle of spindle. Wouldn't that push old grease in the back towards back and front to front? Is this an old design? Or did I just assumed it wrong? Let me know if you have any other concern about my trailer hub assembly. Thanks for your help.

asked by: Jerry H

Expert Reply:

In order to determine if hub assembly 8-258-50UC1-EZ will work for you, first know that this assembly is for EZ Lube spindles that require a grease seal with a 1-1/2" inner diameter such as # RG06-020. You are also going to want to remove the hub and take a look at the bearing numbers to make sure your inner and outer bearings are # L44649. Normally that would be enough, but since you sanded the spindle, I also recommend you use a digital caliper such as # PTW80157 and measure the spindle where the bearings ride (see accompanying photo) to determine if the dimensions remain the same. If they are, and if the hub has the correct bearings and grease seal, then # 8-258-50UC1-EZ would be a fit.

I've attached a couple links to video reviews of these products for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Kyle S

click to enlarge

Jerry

12/5/2017

Kyle S.

12/5/2017

In regards to the hubs you asked about, the only real difference is that # AKIHUB-545-35-G-K comes with the bearings, races, and grease cap while # Q-HUB84545 is the hub only. Otherwise, they are both quality, galvanized hubs for 3,500 lb axles, # 84 spindles and have a 5 on 4-1/2" bolt pattern, which you'll need to ensure your wheels have. It is the most common 5 lug pattern so it is likely your 5 bolt wheels have them, but I've added a help article for you on how to determine bolt pattern so you can be sure. However, neither of these hubs are for E-Z Lube spindles, which you would need. For a galvanized 3,500 lb E-Z Lube hub and bearings you would want # 8-248-50UC1-EZ. It would not be necessary to use a bearing buddy with this. In regards to how an E-Z Lube spindle such as # TRU74FR works, they do have holes in the middle; this will let you pump grease into the spindle and it comes out a hole where the bearing and grease seal meet. I've attached a review video of this spindle which talks about this at the 1:00 mark.