Inspecting Hubs, Bearings and Spindles on a Boat Trailer

Question

Question:

Heres some information you were requiring about my boat trailer hubs. Are there better bearings to use than national or Timken? Why not use sealed bearings? It seems like it would be less of a messy job. I did get a better measurement on my bolt center for the hub. Both spindles looks to be in about the same condition on top and the bottom of the spindle. I do see tooling marks from the Final Cut when the spindle was made. Should the area where the bearings ride Shine like a mirror? While dressing the spindle I have never purposely tried to get all of the tooling marks out. I wrote down all the numbers I could find on both bearings and I hope that was enough for you. I cant think of anything more to tell you and I hope this solves my problem. Which bearings do you seem to have the most luck with? I can only send one picture thats all the phone will allow me to send. The areas of the spindle where there are no bearings does have rust on them from some time ago. My grease seal seems to be working fine though. Guess I could clean it up a little bit where both of the seals seal against the axle.

asked by: Bruce R

0

Expert Reply:

Thank you for the measurements you provided, they are very helpful and tell us everything we need to know to recommend parts that will work for you. Based on your bearing numbers and spindle measurements you need a 3,500 lb hub with a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern. The type of hub that you need will depend on whether you have brakes or want a galvanized versus a painted finish.

For idler hubs (no brakes), you can use part # 84545BX or # 84545UC1-EZ for EZ Lube spindles. These hubs come with the races already pressed in and they include the bearings, seal, grease cap and lug nuts.

If you have drum brakes and need a hub/drum assembly, you can use part # 84546UC3 or # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K for EZ Lube spindles. These hubs are also offered in a galvanized finish as part # 8-247-50UC3 and # 8-247-50UC3-EZ for EZ Lube.

It doesn't sound like your boat trailer has disc brakes, but just in case you are interested, the disc brake kit that I recommend the Kodiak Disc Brake Kit, # K2HR35D.

National and Timken are good bearings that are used by many trailer manufacturers and typically only fail if something else is causing wear or heat build-up. Sealed bearings are not used simply because most bearing manufacturers simply do not make sealed bearings for trailer hubs. Sealed bearings would be less messy, but I would think it ultimately comes down to cost.

The bearing surface on the spindle does not have to shine like a mirror, but you want to look at it very closely and make sure there are no groove, uneven wear or nicks on the spindle. Rusting can happen over time, especially if water gets into the hub or the spindles were exposed to the elements for some time. It would be best to try to remove as much rust as possible to make sure it has not gotten too bad.

expert reply by: John H

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Answer 1

Thank you for taking the time to make all those measurements, it is a big help. Based on the info you provided, you will need the Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 2,000-lb Axles #AKIHUB-545-2-G-1K. This assembly has a galvanized finish and can fit 8…

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Answer 2

The great thing about Bearing Buddy like part #BB1781 is that when you add grease to your system with the included fitting, it will move the spring-loaded piston outward and allow grease to seep around the edges to keep from damaging the seal. You…

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Answer 3

If you are looking for a grease cap PLUG with the TRP stamped on it chances are the Grease Cap Plug for E-Z Lube Grease Caps #RG04-010 would work for you, but to be certain you will want to measure the diameter of the grease cap hole. If it is 1.18…

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Answer 4

In order to choose the correct replacement hubs for a trailer you'll need to know the axle capacity. The make and model of the trailer is usually irreverent as we don't have any way to look up part numbers from this. The axle capacity can be…

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Answer 5

Aside from the wheel bolt/lug nut difference the trailer hub part #AKIHUB-545-2-G-1K is exactly the same as your current hub. This has the same 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern and uses the same bearings L44643 for inner and outer. Now what you might run…

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Answer 6

The EZ Lube Spindle features includes a zerk fitting in the end of the spindle and holes in the spindle that allow grease to be injected into the hub bore. The only difference between the hubs we sell for an EZ Lube spindle and a standard spindle is…

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Answer 7

An EZ lube spindle will be better because it allows you to insert grease from inside the spindle where the bearings are and push out the old grease whereas with a Bearing Buddy you basically just get to push grease through the front of the hub. I…

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Answer 8

The correct idler hub for a 1" spindle is the Dexter Trailer Idler Hub Assembly part #34822545BX. These will be used with a washer between the castle nut and outer bearing as should all trailer hubs. There isn't any one hub that's…

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Answer 9

If you had to go without a washer, it wouldn't be the end of the world. The washer is intended to place even pressure against the outer bearing, but if you draw down the castle nut properly, you can get by without a washer, but I'd try to…

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Answer 10

If you remove the hub and wipe away the grease on the spindle you can check to see if it is damaged. Look for an scarring, gouges, discoloration, or scoring on the spindle. If the spindle is damaged then the bearings won't ride properly and can…

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Answer 11

You can check the condition of your hub's races by carefully removing all bearing grease with a rag to expose the actual surface of the races. When they are completely free of grease, etc., inspect them for any signs of scoring (very slight…

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Answer 12

The Trailer Idler Hub Assembly #AKIHUB-440-2-1K comes with a lithium complex, multipurpose grease. I recommend using the LubriMatic LMX Industrial Strength Grease #L11390 which is also a lithium complex grease. This is also #2 like that which Bearing…

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