How to Remove Trailer Wheel that Doesn't have Lug Nuts or Bolts

Updated 09/10/2026 | Published 03/26/2019

Question:

How to change wheel? Trying to change the tire and do maintenance on a small trailer. Trailer has different types of wheels and hubs. One wheel has lugs, the other doesn’t. Not sure how to remove the wheel without lugs.

asked by: Josh

Expert Reply:

Thanks for the photo. To remove the wheel that doesn't have lug nuts and bolts, you will need to remove the cotter pin that holds the wheel in place. Bend the two prongs up to straight and then push that end through the spindle.

That wheel and tire should be replaced so you can have matching hubs with the same bolt pattern moving forward. To get matching hubs, check for numbers on the hub or get the bearing number from the face of the inner and outer bearings on the side with the hub and also the grease seal number.

I've linked the page to our hub options to assist with the replacement assembly. Ensuring you have matching wheels, tires, and hubs is important for your trailer to safely travel down the road.

expert reply by: Jason S

click to enlarge

Russell S.

8/9/2020

My 13ft boat trailer needs wheels and tires replaced. It doesn't have lugs, I pried off the dust cover and removed the cotter pin. I undid the crown nut. Behind that was a washer and the outer bearing. I got those off but I can't get the wheel off the axle. Something is keeping the wheel and inner bearing on the axle.

Jon G.

8/20/2020

Have you tried hitting around on the wheel with a hammer to see if you can loosen something up inside? If you plan on replacing the wheels and it doesn't look like there are any other pins or bolts that hold the wheel to the spindle then I'd just start swinging to see if you can get it to move at all.

Russell S.

8/20/2020

@JonG I little "persuasion" did the trick

Russell S.

8/21/2020

The inner bearings were stuck onto the spindle. The grease seal was keeping the wheel from coming off. Flat bar placed on the lip of the inside of the hub. Knock with a hammer working around the rim. Got the seal separated from the hub. Hub and wheel came off. Bearing and seal still stuck on the spindle. Crowbar placed against the inside edge of the bearing and knock off using hammer working around the bearing. Wasn't too bad. Had to do this for both spindles.