Replacement Bearings for 2,000 Pound Dilly Boat Trailer

Question:

I have an old Dilly boat trailer that is probably rated for 2000 lbs or less. It has a as measured 1 inch diameter axle. Both bearings are the same size. The trailer came used with 4 bolt hubs and bearing for an 1 1/16 axel. One bearing went bad and when I took it off, it was obviously too big for the axle. Its amazing both did not fail sooner. So ... the previous owner put on the wrong bearings. I looked all over the place and bearings labeled for a 1 inch axle are in fact smaller than 1 inch and dont fit. Looks to me that your L44649 1.063 bearing and L44610 race are the correct parts for my axle. Question is ... can I pull out the existing bearings/races from my hubs 4 bolt - Tractor Supply - part 150 and press in these races, or do I need to get a new hub and races/bearings? Ie ... are the hubs all standard and they just adjust the thickness of the bearings/races? The existing grease seals are the right size. The part of the axel where the grease seals set is about 1.24 inches. I have lots of pictures of all this and I can send them to you. Thanks in advance Mel

asked by: Melvin C

Expert Reply:

The only ways to be sure that you're putting the correct bearings on your trailer are to either find part numbers on the original bearings, or to use a digital caliper and measure the spindle.

I have attached a diagram showing the places on the spindle you will want to measure: the grease seal diameter, inner bearing diameter, and outer bearing diameter. These measurements are very precise, which is why we recommend the digital caliper.

There are some instances where bearing and hubs can be standard, but boat trailers typically deviate from the standard.

Based on the measurement you gave me for your grease seal, I think you may need # L44643 bearings. These bearings are very close in size to the # L44649 bearings, but they do fit on different size spindles.

If you get back to me with the spindle measurements, I will be happy to find the correct bearings, seal, races, and hubs for you.

expert reply by: Victoria B