One Out of Four Trailer Hubs or Wheels Causes Tire to Rub against Trailer

Updated 09/28/2016 | Published 09/27/2016

Question:

I recently purchased a 1979 Fleming equipment trailer W/ 5 spoke chicago wobbly wheels, One of the brake drums is different from the other 3. On that one, the wheel is inset 1inch closer so the tire rubs against the inner fender. how do I know what drum to order to replace that one ?

asked by: Gary B

Expert Reply:

It probably isn't the drum that is the problem. It is probably the wheel. Some wheels have an offset meaning the mounting surface of the wheel is not right at the center. In this case the mounting surface would be further away from the trailer which moves the tire closer.

You can determine if it is the wheel by taking it off the trailer and comparing it to one of the other wheels. To do this lie the wheels face down on the ground. Lay a flat board or yardstick across the tire on each of the tires. Then measure from the wheel mounting surface up to the bottom of the flat board. If the one wheel has a longer measurement then it has an offset and you would just need to replace the wheel.

If they are the same measurement then it could be the hub. To get a replacement hub I would need to know the inner and outer bearing numbers and the wheel bolt pattern.

expert reply by: Michael H