How Tight Does the Castle Nut on a Trailer Spindle Need To Be

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Question:

do i need to tighten hard the spindle

asked by: sergio

0

Expert Reply:

According to our installers you will tighten the trailer spindle nut until it stops by itself. In other words do not torque it down as hard as you can. It just has to be tight. A little play is to be expected. You do not want to torque it down too tight, because that makes the bearings too tight and then that generates heat and your bearings come apart.

You might want to try tightening it a few times to get a feel for where it seems like the spindle nut naturally stops.

Once it is fairly tight back it off one notch so the tang lines up and then push the tang (small pin) into the groove on the spindle nut.

You know you have it just right if you give it a test spin and hear the brake linings drag a little bit. It should spin fairly well.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

The Dexter Grease Cap #34151200 is 1-1/8" tall.

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Answer 2

Thanks for that detailed information and we have exactly what you need with Bearing Kit #BK2-100. This kit includes Bearings #L44649 and #L68149, Races #L44610 and #L68111, along with Grease Seal #58846. This kit is for 3,500 lb hubs like yours,…

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Answer 3

The TruRyde Spindle Nut #165686 has an outer measurement of 1.45 inches. You will use a 1-1/2 inch socket on this castle nut or we usually use a channel lock for these installations. I've attached a video of an installation of a hub to assist.…

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Answer 4

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 5

The difference in heat would lead one to believe that there is more friction on the rear #8-288-3UC1 hubs that could be caused by some worn out bearings. Periodically inspecting these parts is never a bad idea and will help reduce the chances of a…

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Answer 6

When installing the castle nut on the end of the spindle, there is no specific torque rating. The nut is ran down until there is no side to side play in the hub, and then backed off to the next notch in the castle nut so the tang washer or cotter pin…

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Answer 7

Since you are in salt water, you definitely want to go with stainless steel disc brakes to resist corrosion so you get brakes that last. For stainless steel disc brakes with a 10 inch rotor that work with 15 inch wheels and a 5 on 4-1/2" bolt…

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Answer 8

If the tires on the rear axle of your tandem axle horse trailer are running hotter than those on the front axle, this could be due to several possible causes. One of these causes you mentioned; the trailer not being level when hitched. If the trailer…

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Answer 9

Yes, the temperatures you mentioned are normal. If you were getting over 200 degrees that would be a bad sign. But typically if all of the hubs are the same temperature you're good and it's only really an issue if one of the hubs is hotter…

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Answer 10

That is an excellent question! In some instances mixing regular grease like part #L11390 won't hurt when mixed with marine grease, but in some situations it can ruin your hubs/spindles and taking the extra time to clean off the grease and redo…

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Answer 11

There is no specific torque rating for the castle nut that holds your hub in place. We recommend tightening the castle nut down until it stops, and then backing it off to the next notch wheel the tang washer will fit into the castle nut. Over…

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Answer 12

Polyurea is in the wheel bearing grease and is compatible with marine bearing grease but not the Red grease. Red grease is compatible with marine grease but not standard. I attached a help article that has a chart with all of the grease…

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How Tight Does the Castle Nut on a Trailer Spindle Need To Be

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