Installing Grease Seal on Trailer Spindle

Updated 06/12/2017 | Published 06/09/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Grease Seal - Double Lip - ID 1.719" / OD 2.565" - for 3,500-lb Axles

(2774)

$8.76

4" Carbon Fiber Digital Caliper

(26)

$12.23

Question:

The grease seal, that came with the new hubs I ordered from etrailer, sits farly snug around the grease seat on my spindle. Is this correct or is there supposed to be a small gap between the I.D. of the rubber seal and the steel seat on the axle spindle? Im curious because this is my first time working on a trailer axle and it seems that if these two parts are snugly touching it will create quite a lot of friction between the rubber seal and steel grease seat of the spindle when spinning.

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

The grease seal included with the hub and drum assembly you purchased from us is # 58846. It has an inner diameter of 1.719 inches. Use a digital caliper like # PTW80157 to measure the diameter of your spindle where the seal sits.

You do want the seal to be snug on the spindle. Not tight enough that you can't get it on but you don't want a gap to allow grease to escape either.

expert reply by: Charles S