Anybody familiar with these "Spindo" repair sleeves?

[San_Diego_SeaRay]

I didn't do too much research and ended up buying four of these "Spindo" type repair sleeves. I'm concerned because the sleeve is not a tight fit over my 2.125" spindle, but the instructions say that it doesn't have to be a tight fit. I'm talking probably an 1/8" to a 1/4" of play. I guess the "sleeve" spins in concert with the grease seal? And the contact with the spindle occurs on the inner rim of the sleeve? This kit uses a sleeve, an O ring, and a hefty and solid grease seal that's beefier than regular grease seals. Whatever this is, it doesn't seem to be common out there and I don't want to install something that is an untested or unpopular solution.

Here's a link to the product I'm referring to.

Anybody with experience with these? Thoughts?

 

[Scott06]

I didn't do too much research and ended up buying four of these "Spindo" type repair sleeves. I'm concerned because the sleeve is not a tight fit over my 2.125" spindle, but the instructions say that it doesn't have to be a tight fit. I'm talking probably an 1/8" to a 1/4" of play. I guess the "sleeve" spins in concert with the grease seal? And the contact with the spindle occurs on the inner rim of the sleeve? This kit uses a sleeve, an O ring, and a hefty and solid grease seal that's beefier than regular grease seals. Whatever this is, it doesn't seem to be common out there and I don't want to install something that is an untested or unpopular solution.

Here's a link to the product I'm referring to.

Anybody with experience with these? Thoughts?View attachment 412320

i would think the oring needs to hold the sleeve tight to the spindle and make a grease seal. if it is a 1/4" off would seem either the spindle is severely worn or this kit doesnt fit your spindle.

Cant imagine the sleeve turning with the seal as the oring under it would wear out quickly and leak

 

[Jeff J]

I don’t see where it is a “repair sleeve”. What I have looked at and the video I watched makes it look like an enhanced or backup seal. If your spindle actually needs a minor repair then something like redi-sleeve would be what you need.

Bearing Buddy sells a product just like it for use with pressurized grease systems (i.e. Bearing Buddies).

 

[Scott06]

I don’t see where it is a “repair sleeve”. What I have looked at and the video I watched makes it look like an enhanced or backup seal. If your spindle actually needs a minor repair then something like redi-sleeve would be what you need.

Bearing Buddy sells a product just like it for use with pressurized grease systems (i.e. Bearing Buddies).

you're right, this isn't a repair sleeve.

it does go on differently - this is the bearing buddy version. Not sure if this better handles pressurized grease like with a bearing buddy ? Still not clear how the sleeve stays stationary on the spindle

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bearings-Races-Seals-Caps/Bearing-Buddy/BB60010.html?feed=npn&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=203075657&gbraid=0AAAAAD_vMtlCMzyuZlVSh170GkcFcMi8J&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiP_w-fWjkAMVsJUiBR39WwpzEAQYAyABEgJ1efD_BwE

 

[Horigan]

It looks like it could be a repair sleeve, assuming the inner race of the inboard bearing can make a good seal with the O-ring against the provided sleeve and the axle. The seal is depending on the axle nut torque to maintain the seal. Given that the cotter pin position can result in some slight looseness of the bearing, it may not provide enough squeeze on the O-ring.

I've had good luck using Speedi-Sleeves with Aviation gasket sealer under it to repair axles under the bearing seal.

 

[Jeff J]

I just watched the video. It looks like the cup slides up against the shoulder and is held there with the o-ring and pressure from the bearing. Then the seal rides on the cup. The cup did have play on the axle in the video. I can see where it may work as a repair if the sealing surface is bad.

A wear groove can be avoided by changing the depth of the seal. I think pitting would have to be pretty severe to keep the seal from working. There again, leaving the seal a little proud would probably stop the leak.

To me, it isn’t a real repair. It only serves to hide a problem if used as such. Pitting is corrosion and this seal system could actually promote pitting by trapping dirt and moisture between the cup and the spindle.

 

[dingbat]

Bought something similar (bearing buddy I beleive) a while back to resolve a worn wear surfaces on my front spindles.

Bought a kit very similar to the one you noted. Used o-rings for sealing and required a larger than stock seal to accommodate the sleeve.

Wasn't going there. still in the junk box under my work bench

Talked to a friend who owns the bearing and power transmission business we buy our bearing and drive components from. He suggested trying SKF speedi-sleeves.

Very easy to install. SKF recommends applying a thin layer of a non-hardening sealant (Permatex #2) inside diameter surface of the sleeve before assembly.

SKF

www.skf.com

Worked like a charm. Was still working as advertised when I sold the trailer 6 years later.

Interesting note....the spindle on my new trailer came with replaceable "wear sleeves" OEM from the manufacturer.

 

[dingbat]

I think pitting would have to be pretty severe to keep the seal from working. There again, leaving the seal a little proud would probably stop the leak.

Bad idea....
Shaft seals are a friction interface. They require tight tolerance shafting with specific hardness and surface finish to maintain the long term integrity of a seal. If you can feel a groove with your finger nail, the shaft needs to be replaced or resurfaced

How many know your supposed to lubricate the sealing lips of the seal at installation?

 

[jlh3rd]

I didn't do too much research and ended up buying four of these "Spindo" type repair sleeves. I'm concerned because the sleeve is not a tight fit over my 2.125" spindle, but the instructions say that it doesn't have to be a tight fit. I'm talking probably an 1/8" to a 1/4" of play. I guess the "sleeve" spins in concert with the grease seal? And the contact with the spindle occurs on the inner rim of the sleeve? This kit uses a sleeve, an O ring, and a hefty and solid grease seal that's beefier than regular grease seals. Whatever this is, it doesn't seem to be common out there and I don't want to install something that is an untested or unpopular solution.

Here's a link to the product I'm referring to.

Anybody with experience with these? Thoughts?View attachment 412320

I used this for my spindle. It was a good fit and I used "green" threadlocker .
It has worked fine. No, they are not supposed to rotate.
not sure if they have your size.

 

[San_Diego_SeaRay]

Well thanks for all the replies. They all helped. Sorry I'm so late in getting back to this thread.

That video helped me because I kept looking for YouTube videos to help confirm my understanding on how these things get installed. I agree that the video shows a little looseness when installed, but I feel that what I'm working with is even more loose.

I have decided to purchase Speedi-sleeves instead. My spindles already had them installed and they are a time proven solution so...there you go. I do have four wheels and I'm only replacing two sleeves, so maybe in the future I'll re-visit this other solution.

I think the big hang up I have is the idea of this "sleeve" spinning with the grease seal and against the spindle. Won't it wear a groove in the spindle or wear itself too thin? Can't seem to find an online resource that will definitively set my mind at ease at this point. So...onwards and upwards.

Thanks again all.

 

[Scott06]

Well thanks for all the replies. They all helped. Sorry I'm so late in getting back to this thread.

That video helped me because I kept looking for YouTube videos to help confirm my understanding on how these things get installed. I agree that the video shows a little looseness when installed, but I feel that what I'm working with is even more loose.

I have decided to purchase Speedi-sleeves instead. My spindles already had them installed and they are a time proven solution so...there you go. I do have four wheels and I'm only replacing two sleeves, so maybe in the future I'll re-visit this other solution.

I think the big hang up I have is the idea of this "sleeve" spinning with the grease seal and against the spindle. Won't it wear a groove in the spindle or wear itself too thin? Can't seem to find an online resource that will definitively set my mind at ease at this point. So...onwards and upwards.

Thanks again all.

Themselves don’t spin with the seal. I think what was mentioned above is the inner race of the inner bearing holds the sleeve on the spindle by compressing the o ring against the sleeve and pushing it against the vertical.
this is just a guess on my part but since these are designed for applications like bearing buddies I wonder if the seal rides on the vertical face vs the circumference. If this were the case wondering if the seal will take the grease pressure better (seal gets pushed against the vertical edge of the sleeve ) than a ‘normal‘ seal that seals on the OD of the spindle?

 

[Horigan]

@San_Diego_SeaRay , A trick I used to install the Speedi-Sleeves on an axle is to take it the PVC pipe section of a hardware store and find either a pipe, and possibly a fitting, that will help drive the sleeve onto the axle.

 

[dingbat]

I think the big hang up I have is the idea of this "sleeve" spinning with the grease seal and against the spindle. Won't it wear a groove in the spindle or wear itself too thin? Can't seem to find an online resource that will definitively set my mind at ease at this point. So...onwards and upwards.

Thanks again all.

They don't spin...
Properly sized, Speedi-Sleeves are a loose press fit....0.003" of clearance. With a bit of Permatex as a lubricate, they are not going anywhere

If I remember correctly, you drive them on the axle with a piece of 2" PVC

 

[San_Diego_SeaRay]

Themselves don’t spin with the seal.

They don't spin...

Gotcha. So the pressure of the hub assembly pushing inwards on the spindle keeps the "sleeve" in place. And the grease seal spins in contact with the stationary "sleeve/cup" thing. OK. Well I guess it works if they sell them. Doubt that Dexter would be putting out things that don't work. But I now have my "regular" Speedi wear sleeves now and am just going to go w. this tried and true method. But I am feeling a little better about the Spindo version. Again, probably install that set on my other wheels when it comes time.