Does It Matter If the Spring Center and Hub Face Is Different When Replacing A Trailer Axle
Updated 11/11/2021 | Published 11/05/2019
Question:
I have a utility trailer I bought, needs a new axle. I snapped a photograph of each axle and their UPC codes, looked them up. The one axle is a Carry On Part #8874. Both axles specify the details as being 88inch Wheel Centers and 74.5inch Spring Centers. I assume this 88inch Wheel center means Hub Face, and all the replacement axles I am seeing are 89inch hub face and 74inch spring centers. If I bought one of these, my hub face would be 1inch overall wider, and the spring centers would be overall a half an inch shorter. Would would mean my wheels stick out .5inch on each side further, and the spring centers would be off by .25inch each side. What type of axle can I run? Do these small margins matter? There are no brakes on either axle its dual axle. Thanks.
asked by: Joe
Expert Reply:
When selecting the correct replacement axle for a utility trailer you will need to know both the hub face (wheel center) and spring center measurements. For example, if your current hub face measurement is 88" and you replace this with an axle that has an 89" hub face measurement then the wheel/tire will stick out 1/2" more on each side. That said, this would not have any negative affect on the trailer so long as all axles were the same.
In regards to spring center spacing, this is not as important as the spring seats can be moved but you would want to move them to align with the leaf springs. In other words, you would not want to use an axle with 74" spring center in place of an axle with 74-1/2" spring centers without moving the spring seats.
The best option we have for the above is the Dexter Trailer Axle w/ Idler Hubs part # 35545I-EZ-89 which has a hub face measurement of 89" and a spring center measurement of 74". Therefore, you will need to move the spring centers to match your leaf spring but other than that you would not have any issues with the hub face being longer so long as all axles matched.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dexter Trailer Axle w/ Idler Hubs - EZ-Lube - 5 on 4-1/2 Bolt Pattern - 89" Long - 3,500 lbs
- Trailer Axles
- Leaf Spring Suspension
- Standard Grade
- Idler Hubs
- 3500 lbs
- 5 on 4-1/2 Inch
- 74 Inch Spring Center
- 89 Inch Hub Face
- No Drop or Lift
- Dexter
more information >
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on Trailer Axles
Rich
11/9/2021
Not a single axle on earth has my measurements wtf and God please help me why is there no chart stating which measurements your measurements will jive with this is unexceptable and agitating no way should this be anywhere near this confusing 64.5 77.5 95 5on4.5 can u sell me a correct 3500 lb axle cuz I can't find 1 to save my life