Does Trailer Hub Seal Need to Contact Side of Spindle
Updated 10/14/2025 | Published 10/11/2025
Question:
I purchased a CE Smith CE13110 hub for my 1” spindle boat trailer and while the bearings fit there’s very, very minor play between hub and spindle when castle nut and cotter pin are installed. But the grease seal does not snug up to the spindle. There’s a 1/8” to 1/16” gap. Is this normal? Should I order a new grease seal with smaller ID? To confuse matters more, the CE13110 bearings and grease seal match my old galvanized hubs, and I don’t recall those leaking. Finally, there was a pliant rubber band around the innermost part of the spindle that the old grease seal appears to have butted up against. Any help is much appreciated. Kanon
asked by: KDM
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Expert Reply:
Hey KDM, it's normal for there to be some space between outside portion of the grease seal and the spindle. The seal is not supposed to push up against the spindle on the outside portion of it. It's only really for sure supposed to contact the spindle where it rides on it. Have you tried installing it as-is and had any leak issues?
Product Page this Question was Asked From
CE Smith Trailer Hub Assembly w/ Carrying Case for 2,500-lb Axles - 4 on 4 - Pre-Greased - Threaded
- Trailer Hubs and Drums
- Idler Hub
- Pre-Greased
- Standard
- L44643 / L44643
- Standard Grade
- For 2500 lbs Axles
- 1/2 Inch Stud
- 4 on 4 Inch
- 10 Inch Wheel
- 12 Inch Wheel
- 13 Inch Wheel
- CE Smith
more information >
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Kdm
10/14/2025
Hi Jameson, there’s no contact between the grease seal and spindle. I think I need a new grease seal with an I.D. that’s narrower by 1/8”. This was a fully greased hub so why would the grease seal’s ID be greater than the bearing’s ID? The old hub appeared to have the same difference, but there was a pliant rubber-ish material around the inside spindle that appeared to add an additional seal. It was torn so I removed it.