Castle Nut Wont Thread All the Way on 2,000 lb EZ Lube Spindle with Tang and D Washer

Question:

I recently bought 2 EZ lube spindles to replace the spindles on my boat trailer. I also purchased 2 brand new hub assemblies AKIHUB-545-2-2K and bearing kits. I just finished replacing the spindles and when installing the hubs with the D washer, tang washer and nut, the tang washer and nut stick out past the end of the spindle by 2 threads. I have included pictures so you can see how far the nut is away from even being flush with the end of the spindle. It just doesn’t look right to me. Just wondering if the wrong hubs were recommended? Or if that is how it’s supposed to be. I would think that the nut should be fully screwed on and be past flush. The truth is I need to install this axle ASAP so am I better off with the thick washer and the nut sticking out a little past the end of the spindle or without the thick washer and the nut and tang washer flush with the end of the spindle? Also, I usually run bearing buddies but read that bearing buddies don't work with ez lube spindles. I have seen they offer caps with rubber access ports to grease the spindles. Not sure if you sell them? But this is my axle for my boat trailer and I was wondering if the rubber ports will allow water into the hubs? Or am I better off with the regular caps that come with the hub assemblies?

asked by: Kenny

Helpful Expert Reply:

Thank you for all the photos!

My contact at Dexter Axle confirmed that on a 2,000 lb axle, the D-washer # 5-23 is not needed. It is only required on 3,500 lb axles and above. So, in your case it's perfectly safe to leave it off and this way allowing the castle nut # 165686 to fully thread on the spindle. When tightening the spindle nut it should be tightened to the point that you can feel resistance in the bearings, then backed off to the point where you can bend the tang properly which gives you .006 to .007 end play. I have included a video showing this process.

Bearing Buddies are very popular with boat trailer owners. However, they are not as effective at lubricating the hub since they push the grease through the front whereas with EZ-Lube Spindles the grease is pushed through the center of the hub, reaching the bearings better. Neither option is going to keep water completely out but seeing as how using your EZ-Lube Spindle is your best option, I recommend a pair of EZ-Lube grease caps which for your hub is part # RG04-040.

expert reply by: Carla M