Grease Seals for Hub on Antique 1950's Trailer Using Military Surplus Axle

Question:

Last year I purchased a trailer built around 1950. It has an old style coil wound torsion axle that the original owner believes is from a WW2 trailer. While in the process of restoring this trailer I have not been able to find wheel bearing seals to fit this axle. What information do I need to cross reference this part. The old seals were too worn and the numbers illegible. I believe I can read there bearing numbers.

asked by: Mike Y

Expert Reply:

The best way to match up a seal is to determine the necessary inside and outside diameter of the grease seal.

I'd need to know the diameter of the hub bore where the seal sits. Use a digital caliper, because a ruler or tape measure won't be accurate enough. If this isn't feasible, the inner bearing or race number might be enough. I'll also need the diameter of the grease seal journal surface of the spindle (the surface of the spindle where the inner diameter of the grease seal rides), which is the "B" dimension in the diagram I provided. Once again, use a digital caliper.

expert reply by: Mike L