Fit of Wheel Mounting Pad on Face of Trailer Hub
Updated 05/07/2021 | Published 05/05/2021 >
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Question:
Trailer wheel hub 5x4.5inch B.C. L44643 bearings. Spindle dia 1.0. The trailer came with original hubs with a ROUND 5.5inch O.D. flange. It also came with new hubs with a STAR shaped 5.5inch O.D. flange. The question is about the amount of contact between the hub flange and the wheel. I have 2 sets of wheels/tires 12inch and 13. The wheel to hub contact area is the same on both sets of wheels. On the star shaped flange only the very outer corners of the starinch next to the wheel studs touches the wheel. Im talking about maybe .100inch at best, just in the corners. This seems wrong but I dont know the engineering behind the design and cant find any information. Will it work or be dangerous. Photos: Closeup of lug hole with scribe marks where hub sits. Hub installed with feeler gauge. Actually I may have just answered my own question. When I tightened the lug over the feeler gauge in the photo the wheel center pulled down against the hub. That makes me less concerened. Thanks, I know this a little long winded.
asked by: John A
Expert Reply:
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dexter Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 2,000-lb Axles - 5 on 4-1/2
- Trailer Hubs and Drums
- Idler Hub
- Standard
- L44643 / L44643
- Standard Grade
- For 2000 lbs Axles
- 1/2 Inch Stud
- 5 on 4-1/2 Inch
- 13 Inch Wheel
- 14 Inch Wheel
- 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
- 15 Inch Wheel
- Dexter
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Mike L.
5/7/2021
Hi, it looks like you are using a hub centric wheel with a lug-centric hub. A hub centric wheel relies on the portion of the hub that extends through the wheel's pilot hole to provide the support. In this instance, it's not super-crucial that the mounting pad of the wheel sits perfectly flat against the hub face. With a lug centric wheel, it's VERY important that the wheel sits perfectly flat. Long story short, I would NOT use that wheel on that hub. For a 12 inch wheel, I'd use something like # AM20132.