Process for Changing a Damaged Spindle on a Trailer Axle

Question

Question:

how do I go about changing the spindle out on a trailer there is a pic?

asked by: Todd

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Expert Reply:

Replacement of a spindle on a trailer axle is best left to a professional installer. This is not a do-it-yourself type of project. We urge you to use a professional welder experienced in axle fabrication. Proper alignment and welding are critical to safe operation of the trailer. Depending on the condition of the axle you may be better served by replacing the entire axle/spindle assembly. Although the axle adds to the parts cost, you will save on the labor side. A new axle with spindles will be a bolt-on project that is much more easily tackled.

Your best bet it to check with a local trailer supply/repair shop for their evaluation of the axle. They can determine after actual inspection whether or not the axle condition merits new spindles or if it should be replaced entirely.

expert reply by: Adam R

0

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Answer 1

Yes, going from a 4 leaf to a 6 leaf spring would add slightly to your ride height. For example, if the current 4 leaf spring has 3/8" thick leaves, and you go to a 6 leaf spring with 3/8" thick leaves, you would be adding…

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Answer 2

Assuming your tires are in good shape without any bulges the easiest way to determine if you have a bent spindle is to take a straight edge that is longer than the tire and lay it across the tire parallel with your trailer frame and then measure…

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Answer 3

In regards to the installation of a trailer axle like the Trailer Axle with Idler Hubs part #e25GR, you'd simply need to lift the trailer off the ground until the wheels are no longer touching then it's just a matter of removing the…

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Answer 4

Bearings fit pretty tight onto spindles. There basically should be no play at all between the inner portion of the bearing and the spindle. They don't fit so tight that they would have to be pressed on, but they sometimes can be tight enough that…

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Answer 5

After you've packed the bearings and assembled everything, carefully slide the hub assembly onto the spindle and install the outer bearing. Install the spindle and tang washer and run the spindle nut down finger tight, then rotate the hub back…

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Answer 6

It might seem that the spindle being slightly bent isn't a big deal but it can definitely lead to another blowout so you'll want to replace that spindle with a new one. It looks like you have a straight spindle like the standard BT8 found as…

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Answer 7

A trailer axle should actually be bowed upwards in the middle and not downwards. When the trailer is loaded with your boat, that upward bow will flatten out and your tires will make even contact with the ground. The downward bow of your axle should…

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Answer 8

If the trailer wheels scrubbed (dragged and scrapped the ground instead of rolling) when jack knifed then it could have thrown something out of alignment or damaged something. First, inspect the suspension. Look for any elongated holes where…

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Answer 9

Sounds like your trailer axles are a bit too short if the inner sidewall is rubbing on the frame of the trailer. Did you recently change to a wider tire? That could be the cause too. Your equalizer being angled shouldn't cause the issue you…

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Answer 10

To determine the size of the hub assembly you need to purchase you have to determine which bearings are in the old assembly. If the old assembly has L44649 inner bearings, you would use the hub you chose #8-258-5UC1. If the inner bearings are marked…

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Answer 11

The amount of bow that's put into trailer axles like the #7359765 is based on about how much a trailer is typically going to weigh that has a 3,500 lb capacity. So there's a bit of approximation and obviously it can't be totally perfect…

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Answer 12

The way I recommend assessing your axle capacity is by measuring the diameter of the axle tube. I recommend using digital caliper to do this and you can use the following to find out what the typical capacities of an axle are per their diameter: -…

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Process for Changing a Damaged Spindle on a Trailer Axle

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