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Troubleshooting Hub and Spindle Not Fitting Together after Replacing Spindle on a Utility Trailer  

Updated 09/08/2010 | Published 09/07/2010

Question:

I expected to replace a hub easily. I bought a hub with 1 1/16 inner and outer bearings and a 1 1/4 rear seal. The main part of the spindle is 1 1/16 and the slightly larger shoulder near the welded area is 1 1/14. I expected that the pre greased hub would fit right over ... maybe need a few bumps with a hammer on a wood block and then press in the outer bearing into its race and put on the castle nut. But I cannot get the hub on far enough to start the castle nut because there are no threads to start it sticking out ! I did this once several years ago and did not have a problem. It seems so simple and Im not a dope and pretty handy with mechanical and tool stuff. The front bearing is pressed into its race, the rear bearing is trapped in its race by the inside rear black seal that is 1 1/4 ID. I must be missing something obvious but cannot figure it out. Surely somebody else has run in to this problem... Ideas?

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Expert Reply:

It sounds and looks to me like you have the wrong hub assembly for the spindle that is welded to the axle on your trailer. The photos you sent clearly show a 1-1/16 inch spindle similar to the BTR EZ Lube Spindle item # TRU44FR. This is a spindle for a 2,000 pound axle.

The parts that you referenced are for a 3,500 pound axle and definitely will not work on a spindle designed for a 2,000 pound axle. In addition, the photo of the hub that you sent looks like a hub for a 3,500 pound axle, but from the photo I cannot be sure of the capacity of the hub. You will need to remove the inner and outer bearings to determine if the hub you have is the correct hub for the spindle you have. The inner and outer bearings for a 1-1/16 inch spindle are both # L44649 and the seal is the # 10-9 or # 10-60 seal. The bearing kit for this size spindle is the Bearing Kit for 1.25 inch BTR Spindle, L44649 Inner/Outer Bearings, 10-60 Seal, item # BK1-150. The hub kit for this spindle, with a 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern, will be the Trailer Hub Assembly - 2000 lbs Axle - 5 on 4-1/2 - L44649 Bearings - 8 inch - 10 inch Wheels, item # 8-259-5UC1.

A hub for a 3,500 pound axle will have a different inner bearing. Our Trailer Hub Assembly - 3,500 lbs Axles - 5 on 4-1/2, item # 84545BX, has an outer bearing the same as the # L44649 bearing for a 2,000 pound axle spindle, but has an inner bearing # L68149.

If you need a hub to fit the 1-1/16 inch spindle on your trailer, and the bolt pattern of the wheel is 5 on 4-1/2 inches, the Trailer Hub Assembly - 2000 lbs Axle - 5 on 4-1/2 - L44649 Bearings - 8 inch - 10 inch Wheels, item # 8-259-5UC1, would be the correct assembly for your trailer.

If you need a spindle for a 3,500 pound axle to fit a hub with # L44649 outer and # L68149 inner bearings you will need item # TRU64FR.

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Bob G
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