Troubleshooting Trailer Bearing Replacements that are Too Tight to Fit Spindle

Question:

I just purchased a boat trailer that needed its bearings replaced because the wheel was very loose/rocked back and forth. I removed the old bearings and bought identical replacement bearings L44649 and L68149. I replaced the bearings in the hub and when installing the hub back on the spindle, I could only get so far before it wouldn’t go any further. The outer bearings were still on the threaded area of the spindle. I measured the spindle at that point and it measured 4-5/16” circumference where the outer bearings would go. The larger part of the spindle measured 5-1/2”. I’m confused and am thinking I need a larger hub even though this is the hub that that supposedly came with the trailer. Please help! The tires on the trailer are 4.80x12 if that is any help.

asked by: Dustin W

Expert Reply:

You do have the correct bearings with the # L44649 and # L68149. It sounds like your spindle needs to be cleaned up a bit so that your new bearings can fit. This is a very common problem since bearings fits very tight to spindles. Maybe take some fine grit sandpaper to your spindle to clean it up so that you new spindles can fit.

expert reply by: Jameson C