Method for removing and Installing Tang-Style Spindles Washers

Question

Question:

I had never seen these types of castle nut locking mechanism. So I was quite sure how to remove the castle nut...I tried the bend the tangs down towards the flat side of the spindle, but that didnt help. Ended up using two hands. One hand with a screw driver trying to hold the tangs down and the other on a large wrench around the castle nut and just forced the castle nut off. So what is the proper way to remove and instal the castle nuts with these types of keepers? It looks to me the new ones already have a slight twist towards the castle nut.

asked by: Chris F

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

A replacement tang-style spindle washer like part # 5-101 is intended to be installed behind the castle nut and have its prongs bent down so that they prevent the castle nut from rotating on an E-Z Lube type spindle. The castle nut holds the washer in place, of course, and the washer's prongs fold down into the gaps in the nut to prevent it from loosening on the spindle.

The removal and re-installation processes are shown for you in the linked video.

expert reply by: Adam R

1

Jack D.

5/22/2020

can u bend both tangs in casel nut

Reply

Chris R.

5/25/2020

If they line up between the castle nut notches, you could potentially bend down both tangs. I'm not sure it's necessary but there's no particular reason it couldn't be done.

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Ivor R.

10/27/2020

@ChrisR Is it possible to drill a hole in the wheel spindle and replace that silly expensive washer with a cotter pin..why change a simple design where even a NAIL or a piece of wire would suffice.I cannot think of one reason except to charge $$$ for a needed washer. I have been trailering for over 50 (Fifty) years and this was a disgusting suprise when I serviced my Aluma trailer wheel bearings...

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Jon G.

10/27/2020

@IvorR Possible? Yes. A good decision? No. If you were to dill a hole in the spindle then you would likely void a warranty, and you run the risk of damaging the integrity of the spindle.

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See All (4) Replies to Jack D. ∨

Russ

7/2/2020

Seems like a weak design. I have a trailer that has this and the entire assembly came off except the inside interior race and the actual hub. All the bearings, and castle nut, the spacer, and the tang washer all came out. Thank God it didnt come out until I was almost home and it was not obvious going down the road. Have got to get mine running and wish this type of axle would allow for a regular cotter pin for some more strength.

Reply

Rich D.

5/17/2025

Can you send me the video on how to remove the spindle castle nut with and locking tab and NOT a cotter pin. My tab hits the high (castle) part of the nut do I not push the tang down ....thanks and are these re-useable

Reply

Jesse M.

5/20/2025

@RichD As long as they are not all bent up or corroded, the tang washers typically can be re used. Usually you can just pop it off with a screwdriver or with pliers. Here is the link to the video mentioned above.

Helpful Links

tv-remove_reinstall_trailer_hub.aspx

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Answer 1

Hey Mark, thanks for reaching out! I see you purchased the Dexstar Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel #AM20353. Were you wanting to get a 205/75R14 tire as well? I wasn't able to find anything online referring to the part number you mentioned, but I'd…

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Answer 2

Hey Mike! The Power Mountain Tallboy Off-Road Bottle Jack #PM34FR can be stored in that manner (with the oil plug facing up), but my contact at Power Mountain stressed that it should only be done for a short period of time, so I recommend setting it…

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Answer 3

The Dexter D35 axle is a 3,500 lb trailer axle so for a bearing kit you would want the part #BK2-100 that you referenced.

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Answer 4

Hey Thomas, The pin you're referring to is a cotter pin #165649 that will slip through the a hole in the spindle and then is usually split and bent around the castle nut to prevent the pin from falling out and the castle nut from backing off. I…

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Answer 5

It sounds like you're asking about the torque spec for the castle nut on your 3,500 lb axle. There is no specific torque rating when installing the castle nut on any axle. You want to run the nut down until there is no side to side play in the…

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Answer 6

The bolts that come with the #BRKH10AS are grade 5 bolts. The bolts and nuts are a zinc plated steel and not stainless steel.

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Answer 7

The tire size of 215/75R14 fits rim widths that are from 5 inches to 7 inches. To see all of the 14 inch wheels we offer check out the link I attached. You will need to know what bolt pattern you would need to fit your trailer as well. I attached a…

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Answer 8

It most likely would be wide enough. A 205/75-14 tire can fit on a 5, 5-1/2, 6 or a 6-1/2 inch wide rim. A 215/75-14 tire fits on a 5-1/2, 6, 6-1/2 or a 7 inch rim. It's nearly impossible to determine the correct width of a given rim unless the…

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Answer 9

Since you have a 3,500 lb axle most likely the diameter of the threaded portion of the spindle is 1 inch. You will need to verify that. And since the spindle has a hole in it for a cotter pin you would need a castle nut. For that I would recommend…

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Answer 10

The two sizes you mentioned are pretty similar and fit many of the same 15 inch wheels. The 205/75-15 fits rim widths of 5 inch to 6-1/2 inch whereas the 225/75-15 fits widths that are 5 inch to 6 inch. The 205 is 27.1 inches tall and the 225 is 28.4…

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Answer 11

Basically you'll run a feed line of 10 gauge wire like the part #10-1-1 (sold by the foot) back to the axles and from there you'll run power to each axle. I attached a diagram that shows how this is done on a tandem axle trailer. For a triple…

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Answer 12

It sounds like you want a diagram of the wiring for your trailer and breakaway system. I am attaching an article with pictures about wiring trailers. I am also attaching an article with pictures on wiring a breakaway kit. I also recommend making the…

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Method for removing and Installing Tang-Style Spindles Washers

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