Replacing a Hub on a #84 Spindle

Question:

I ordered and received a set of Dexter Hub/Drum assembly #84556UC3 5 on 5 for 3500#. I have a 1994 Big Tex 5X8 Utility that I am adding brakes to. I was told that this BigTex trailer has a Dexter axle. So I assumed that this hub/drum would be compatible. Installation was going great until we got to the outer bearings to find out that the outer bearing and race are set too far out on this hub and not matching the dimensions of the spindle. I do not know what spindle # I have, apparently not the #84 spindle that these drums are supposed to fit. We have not measured the dimensions yet, but for argument sake, the outer bearing and race need to be further insetinch into the hub about the width of the bearing ring itself. We will be measuring off the old hub the distance between the outer and inner race/bearings stops. Do I have the wrong Hub/Drum as obviously it is not matching the spindle that I do have? We do have access to a machinist that can most likely correct this issue by boring out the hub for the outer bearing and race to match the existing spindle dimensions. Do you have any other possible answers/solutions as both sets of bearings etc. are all ready packed and lubed and would you have any idea as to the specific spindle that I may have? Thanks for your help.

asked by: Timothy F

Expert Reply:

Being off as little as it is, the hub may just be getting caught on something. Remove the hub from the spindle to make sure there is nothing that could be catching the inner bearing. Next, install just the inner bearing # L68149 making sure it gets all the way to the correct location on the spindle, which should measure 1.378 inches.

Once that is in place, slide the hub on making sure it seats completely on the rear bearing and holding it in place. Then slide the outer bearing # L44649 into the hub, again making sure it seats completely. If it still is not fitting, you may not have a #84 spindle, like the TruRyde # TRU84FR.

If this is the case, you will need to do some measurements to confirm what is needed. First, measure the length of the spindle from where the seals seats to where the outer bearing seats. The should get you 4 1/2 inches. This is an industry standard, but there have been shorter ones that pop up from time to time. If you do have one of the short ones, the best thing to do would be to replace it with a new axle, like the Dexter # T3584F-EZ-8974. This would work with the hubs you have and is a #84 spindle, but you would need to make sure the length of the axle and spring seats match what you currently have. You could also cut off the current spindles and weld on the # TRU84FR if you have access to or know someone that can weld these on.

If you do get 4 1/2 inches, you will need to measure the locations the bearings sit. When looking at the spindle # TRU84FR, you will need to measure locations C and D with a pair of calipers. C will tell you the inner bearing and D will tell you the outer bearing. These will determine which hub would be needed.

If the spindles measures 4 1/2 inches and the bearing measurements match the # L68149 and # L44649, let me know and we can try something else.