How To Determine Which Bearing Kit Will Work For Trailer

Updated 02/17/2015 | Published 02/16/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Spindle Grease Seal Set for L44643 Inner Bearing and 1.980 Bearing Buddy

(418)

$21.85

Trailer Wheel Bearing Kit for Lippert, Dexter, and AL-KO Axles - 3,500 lb with #84 Spindle

(3083)

$19.98

Question:

I am going to take my boat trailer to the shop here in a few days and have both left and right side seals, bearings and races replaced. I purchased this boat and trailer 3 years ago, and have started noticing some grease on the inside of the wheels. My question is, I know that the dust covers I purchased for my bearing buddies were 1.980, and they fit fine, nice and snug. Is there any way you can tell me what size bearing kit I might need to replace everything? I do not want to take the wheel off, and pull the bearing out myself. Just want to make sure the shop isnt throwing me the shaft, as I am about to make a 200 mile trip towing my boat. Thanks for any help you can provide. As for the trailer, I can tell you its a galvanized 16ft. Escort, with a 14ft flat bottom riding on it. 13 inch wheels and tires.

asked by: Charlie G

Helpful Expert Reply:

Many times when adding grease with the Bearing Buddy, a customer will add too much grease and blow out the rear grease seal which causes just what you say is happening to your wheel. I am sorry but to really be able to tell you what bearing kit you need for your Escort trailer is to disassemble a hub on one side of the trailer and get the bearing part numbers that are stamped on the bearings.There is an inner and outer bearing. With these part numbers I will be able to determine the bearings, seals, and other parts you might need for your trailer.

If you are unable to find those numbers you will need to measure the spindle since they can have different dimensions and inner diameter of the hub bore to find the right components. I have attached a drawing that shows you where you need to measure on the spindle to make sure you get the right size components.

For a Bearing Buddy that fits a 1.980 inch diameter one of the bearing sets we offer is part # BK2-100. This includes an inner and outer bearing, races, seals, tang washer and a cotter pin and is used on # 84 spindles.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L