Thread: Trailer hubs

Easiest way is use a pair of channel locks, if you don't have a torque wrench and socket. Hope this makes sense. Tighten nut while spinng the wheel ( reason for this is to insure the seal gets seated properly ) tighten pretty snug but don't have to over do it. Then back off one flat. That is one of the flat sides on the nut that a wrench or socket would fit on. Pick a flat and back up until the next one is in the same position. Try to insert cotter pin, if necessary back nut up just until the cotter pin goes in and through the axle. Never leave a bearing nut tight. Tapper roller bearings should have somewhere from 8 to 12 thousands end play. If this makes no sense ask away.

I want to purchase and store a complete spare hub assembly on my boat.... How do I identify the correct size of a new replacement hub without disassembling the trailer wheel and hub to measure the spindle diameter ?

When tightening the spindle nut, you may need to over tighten it first in order to seat the bearings, then back it off to the proper setting as Cray described. Be sure to drive it a couple of miles and then check for play again.

Originally Posted by Greeneagle5

I want to purchase and store a complete spare hub assembly on my boat.... How do I identify the correct size of a new replacement hub without disassembling the trailer wheel and hub to measure the spindle diameter ?

Who made your trailer? If they can't help, crawl underneath and look for a tag on the axle giving the axle manufacturer's name and specs and call them for info.

Hey Cray 0.008 to 0.012 ? I use a dial indicator and try to get between 0.001 to 0.002. The wheel still has a small amount of wiggle.

Originally Posted by wilbur

Hey Cray 0.008 to 0.012 ? I use a dial indicator and try to get between 0.001 to 0.002. The wheel still has a small amount of wiggle.

Wilbur, how many other guys beside you and I have the tools to do that? we found over the years that seating the bearing, then backing the nut up one flat would give us the best setting for overall bearing life. We worked with Timpken and the guys from CR seal company for a couple of years checking different ways to do it. Found trying to use the indicator would not work out with the average mechanic. If you it down to .001 to .002 and they don't get hot your doing really good. In my mind that is just a little snug for tapper roller bearings. Just out of curiosity you ever go back and recheck the clearance after you ran it down the road under a load?

Originally Posted by Greeneagle5

I want to purchase and store a complete spare hub assembly on my boat.... How do I identify the correct size of a new replacement hub without disassembling the trailer wheel and hub to measure the spindle diameter ?

I just did that for mine. If you can read the number on the front bearing you should be able to determine the axle size. Need to be sure if it is a tapered or straight shaft though. The tapered ones have different front and rear diameters. I bought 2 hubs from Trailerparts.com for not much more than buying all the parts to redo the existing ones. Course I discovered that after I bought all the parts.

Hello: Always better to have it too loose than too tight. I do mine just like cray says. Good Luck. O - R