Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

[gunner1]

I'm trying to replace the hubs on my trailer of unknown manufacture and unknown age. The thing is that it's a 4x4 pattern but I need a hub that measures three and a half inches long from top to bottom. Both of the replacements I bought both measured four inches and when instaled, the bearing was right at the end of the spindle covering all the threads. BTW, it's a one ince straight spindle.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

Measuring top to bottom is a confusing term. Do you mean the hub itself is 3-1/2 inches in diameter, or from the front to back. If you mean it is 3-1/2 inches in diameter it doesn't matter that the new hub is 4 inches in diameter. The wheel will still fit. If you mean the hub is 3-1/2 inches deep from front to back (or outside to seal surface), then that's a different story. However, the hub could still be used if the bearings end up in the same place on the spindle. It may be that the only difference in depth is where the dust cap or Bearing Buddy is installed.

 

[gunner1]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

Measuring top to bottom is a confusing term. Do you mean the hub itself is 3-1/2 inches in diameter, or from the front to back. If you mean it is 3-1/2 inches in diameter it doesn't matter that the new hub is 4 inches in diameter. The wheel will still fit. If you mean the hub is 3-1/2 inches deep from front to back (or outside to seal surface), then that's a different story. However, the hub could still be used if the bearings end up in the same place on the spindle. It may be that the only difference in depth is where the dust cap or Bearing Buddy is installed.

Three and a half inches deep from front to the rear seal surface. I DID find them online, however they are five lug and mine are four. It wouldn't be that big of a deal, because the trailer needs new rims/tires as well, but I've already bought and installed a new rim/tire in the port side and I'm not sure if I can return it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

hit the yellow pages. trailer repair.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

Three and a half inches deep from front to the rear seal surface. I DID find them online, however they are five lug and mine are four. It wouldn't be that big of a deal, because the trailer needs new rims/tires as well, but I've already bought and installed a new rim/tire in the port side and I'm not sure if I can return it.

I had the same problem with my previous trailer. I found the 3.5" long hubs online...probably at the same place you did. I had to replace wheels and tires to deal with the same situation. I think you'll have to bite the bullet on that one...I searched long and hard.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

Don't measure hub depth. Measure from the outside edge of the outer bearing, the to the outside edge of the inner bearing. Compare that with the old hub. Since you have 1-inch spinds, the bearing separation difference can probably be as much as 1/4 inch. As long as there is enough thread to secure the nut with a cotter pin there is no problem. As I pointed out earlier, the protrusion of the hub is not important as all that does is serve as a dust cap/Bearing Buddy attachment point. Four bolt hubs are readily available. Northern Tool, Champion Trailers, and probably right here on IBoats.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

Well, you're not quite correct, there. There was one trailer manufacturer back in the 1960s who produced trailers with 3.5" long hubs. The axles had shorter stubs than standard. Can't remember the name, but that was the problem I had. The standard hubs simply couldn't be used, since the threads on the stub simply weren't long enough.

It took me quite a while to find and purchase the right hubs. Northern Tool was of no use whatsoever in this search, since all they offer in 1" axle hubs are for 4" long stubs.

The right hubs are hard to find (I don't have the trailer, or the web site any longer) but worked just fine, since they were designed for that axle.

And...they only came in 5-bolt pattern, so I had to buy new wheels and tires. Not a big deal, since wheel/tire combos are pretty cheap at Northern Tool.

Oh, yeah...the bearings in those hubs weren't the standard stuff, either. Fortunately, the place that sold the hubs sold them only with the proper bearings...all preassembled and lubed.

About $50 each, if I recall correctly.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

More info:

I looked up the sales receipt for those short pattern hubs.

You can see them by adding http:// to the front of the following:

shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.prodInfo&productID=4723&categoryID=187

Apparently these hubs were specific to some Loadrite and EZ-Loader trailers, in both 1" and 1 1/16" axle sizes. They use special bearings, but the hubs are the same for both axle sizes...just the bearings are different. Only available in 5-bolt pattern.

Trust me on this. Regular hubs will NOT work.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

Seems to me if I was forced into getting new wheels and tires because of a hub problem, it would be cheaper now and in the long run to replace the axle. And I would have the satisfaction of knowing I had standard components should a problem arise down the road.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

Seems to me if I was forced into getting new wheels and tires because of a hub problem, it would be cheaper now and in the long run to replace the axle. And I would have the satisfaction of knowing I had standard components should a problem arise down the road.

Maybe. However, a new axle will also mean new hubs for this person, and he did say that he needed one wheel and tire anyhow. I guess it would depend, for me, on how long I figured I'd have the boat and trailer.

Get the new hubs, wheels, and tires, and you're good to go for at least three years in fresh water. Most of us don't keep our boats longer than that, anyhow.

Plus, if I remember the trailer I had with those short-pattern axle stubs, it was also a non-standard axle. Replacing it would have meant new springs and more. Sometimes, it's more cost-effective to buy just the parts you need and forget about the rest.

It also depends on the wheel/tire size. If it's the little 8" wheels, the wheel/tire combo sells for only about $30 in the first place, depending on weight range. No biggie, really.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Need help locating special axel hub assembly.

He already bought new hubs.
Assuming they are current industry standard hubs, just have the spindles replaced to go with. Keep all of the old axle, just replace the spindles.