How to Avoid Rust on Spindle Nut and Axle for Salt Water Trailer

Question

Question:

I fish salt water here in Florida, a lot. So my trailer gets dunked in salt water often. I installed a sprinkler wash down system when I bought the Kodiak ss gear to protect it. After nearly 5 years Ivan tell you they look great! I just changed the brake fluid and installed new ceramic pads with the ss backing. I have Road King torsion axles and the only rust I have to deal with is the castle nut on the inside of the spindle and rust at the spindle elbow breaking through the paint. Can you help me with this problem.

asked by: Joe C

0

Expert Reply:

Glad to hear that the Kodiak brakes are working well for you!

If you have a good seal and grease cap on your hub/rotor then your castle nut shouldn't be rusting as that is a sign of moisture getting at the castle nut. I would check your seals to make sure they are still in good working order and if you are using a standard grease cap I would upgrade to a Bearing Buddy like part # BB1980A-SS (Stainless Steel) or # BB1980A (Chrome). These are specific though so you would need to know the diameter of your hub bore.

As far as the elbow of your spindle rusting, I am not entirely sure what you are referring to but if it is on the spindle itself the above-mentioned solution is what you need to do. If it is on the outside of the hub at a place that is continuously exposed to salt water then there really isn't much more that you can do other than spraying it down like what you have been doing. You could take some black spray paint to cover up any openings and try to keep the rust from spreading.

If you are using regular axles you can try replacing them with galvanized axles as these hold up better to salt water, but from your description I think you have torsion axles which nobody makes a galvanized version of.

If you can send in some pictures of what is going on I can help you take a closer look at it.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Answer 1

The great thing about Bearing Buddy like part #BB1781 is that when you add grease to your system with the included fitting, it will move the spring-loaded piston outward and allow grease to seep around the edges to keep from damaging the seal. You…

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Answer 2

If you are looking for a grease cap PLUG with the TRP stamped on it chances are the Grease Cap Plug for E-Z Lube Grease Caps #RG04-010 would work for you, but to be certain you will want to measure the diameter of the grease cap hole. If it is 1.18…

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Answer 3

The EZ Lube Spindle features includes a zerk fitting in the end of the spindle and holes in the spindle that allow grease to be injected into the hub bore. The only difference between the hubs we sell for an EZ Lube spindle and a standard spindle is…

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Answer 4

An EZ lube spindle will be better because it allows you to insert grease from inside the spindle where the bearings are and push out the old grease whereas with a Bearing Buddy you basically just get to push grease through the front of the hub. I…

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Answer 5

The correct idler hub for a 1" spindle is the Dexter Trailer Idler Hub Assembly part #34822545BX. These will be used with a washer between the castle nut and outer bearing as should all trailer hubs. There isn't any one hub that's…

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Answer 6

If you had to go without a washer, it wouldn't be the end of the world. The washer is intended to place even pressure against the outer bearing, but if you draw down the castle nut properly, you can get by without a washer, but I'd try to…

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Answer 7

The Trailer Idler Hub Assembly #AKIHUB-440-2-1K comes with a lithium complex, multipurpose grease. I recommend using the LubriMatic LMX Industrial Strength Grease #L11390 which is also a lithium complex grease. This is also #2 like that which Bearing…

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Answer 8

For a 3,500 lb trailer axle that will see salted roads I would recommend the galvanized hub/drum part #AKHD-545-35-G-K which will do a much better job fighting corrosion than a painted hub. There aren't any galvanized brake assemblies available…

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Answer 9

In order to pick out the correct hub assembly for a trailer you are going to need know a few key pieces of information. The first thing you will need to know is the bolt pattern of your hubs. Since the figure you came up with doesn't match any of…

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Answer 10

The rear side of a Super Lube hub has a grease zerk fitting that works like the one on a Bearing Buddy grease cap such as #BB1781. These zerk fittings let you add wheel bearing grease to the hub interior without having to remove it from the spindle.…

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Answer 11

If your current wheels have a 6 on 5-1/2 inch bolt pattern the part #TA39VR would bolt up to your hub. If the capacity of this wheel/tire (3,520 lbs at 80 psi), is more than you would need then this would work well for you. Since you have a 6k axle…

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Answer 12

Yes, I contacted a Tech at Dexter Axle for verification and the Dexter Axle UFP Idler Hub, #DA54FR is confirmed to be a replacement for the Reliable Brand, Model BT-150A “short” hub on 2,100 lb. axles. The inner & outer races are included but not…

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How to Avoid Rust on Spindle Nut and Axle for Salt Water Trailer

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