Will The Hub Saver HS79FR Keep The Hub In Place If The Castle Nut Comes Loose?
Updated 08/12/2026 | Published 08/11/2026
Question:
I dont see how that washer would keep the wheel and hub in place if the castle but comes loose, either by the tang breaking or the cotter pin coming out.
asked by: Bob
Expert Reply:
Hey Bob, thanks for reaching out. That's a great question, and it's a common point of confusion. The Hub Saver # HS79FR is not designed to keep the hub on the spindle if the castle nut backs off or falls off. The castle nut, washer, and cotter pin still have to be installed and functioning correctly.
What the Hub Saver is designed to do is keep the hub and wheel from sliding off the spindle if the outer bearing fails. In a normal bearing failure, the outer bearing can disintegrate and the hub can walk right off the spindle. The Hub Saver acts as a large retainer behind the washer and castle nut, giving the damaged hub something larger to bear against and helping keep the wheel attached long enough to get the trailer safely stopped.
If the cotter pin falls out, the tang washer breaks, or the castle nut comes completely off, the Hub Saver isn't intended to compensate for that failure.
What kind of trailer do you usually tow?
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Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hub Saver Hub and Wheel Protector - Fits 4, 5, and 6-Lug Trailers - Qty 2
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Hub and Rim Protector
- Bearing L44643
- Bearing L44649
- Race L44610
- 2500 lbs Axle
- 3000 lbs Axle
- 3500 lbs Axle
- 4200 lbs Axle
- The Hub Saver
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on Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
Bob
8/12/2026
Bearing failure is normally due to improper tightening, too tight or too loose, failure to grease the bearing correctly, or the hub not being seated completely when tightening the castle nut. Or reusing the weak cotter pin or tang washer. Never reuse them. The Hub Saver 'may' keep the wheel and hub from coming off if you catch it early enough. There is really no way to know unless you lift the trailer and check for looseness, or remove the dust cap. A loose or destroyed outer bearing will ruin the inner seal an possibly the inner bearing and spindle. PS, you will never hear or even feel the bad bearing while going down the highway. I use a infrared thermometer and check the hub temperatures at almost every fuel stop. If they're all close, I drive on.