Spindle help

[southkogs]

Last boat trip of the season my trailer bearings let go ... and I mean COMPLETELY. They very nearly disintegrated. I didn't realize they were that bad.

Now as I'm taking everything apart, I'm not 100% sure of what I'm seeing and need a little help. Three photos and two questions:

Question #1: Do I need to replace the axle? I can't tell what kind of shape that spindle is in.





Question #2: Is this piece the remainder of one of the bearings? I can't really move it, but I don't want to beat it too hard in the event it's not supposed to move.



Thanks all.

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Spindle help

#2 Yes, that was the inner race of the bearing. Using a hammer and punch, tap around the outside edge to drive it off the axle. If the heat siezed it fast, then careful use of a handheld grinder to grind almost thru would be required. Grind a few seconds and look at the race. Grind a little bit more and look again. As the race starts to get thin, it will (may) turn dark gold/blue for the heat. BEFORE you grind all the way through, tap it with the hammer and punch again.

Once you get that off, clean up the axle and look to see if the areas where the bearings mount are still in good shape. Post pictures if you are unsure.

 

[cribber]

Re: Spindle help

It looks like part of the bearing race is left on the spindle but with all the grease and crud it's hard to tell. You should clean it with some carb cleaner or some type of solvent degreaser and repost new pictures to see what is actually damaged. It doesn't look that bad but it is hard to tell from those pictures. Then do what Jeff-in-Pa suggested above.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Spindle help

degrease degrease degrease wire brush steel wool and degrease some more.... make it look like shiny new metal.... then remove the inner race.... inspect the area where the seal rides and make sure the outer race fits without slop...

In the hub you have two outer races to drive out and use the old ones to drive the new ones in

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Spindle help

I think your fine kogs, just get the inner race off as has been described previously clean her up and get your trailer back together, I don't think you had as big an issue as you think, probably your just not used to seeing bearings go as your actually in pretty good shape compared to some of the carnage I've seen buddy!

The previous posts describing proper removal of the race is the same as I use and the guys that taught me too, be careful with the torch!!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Spindle help

Thanks everyone. I'll be working on my car all day tomorrow and will add this project in along side. I'll let ya' know what happens.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Spindle help

Okay, did some cleaning (could do more) and did some grinding (new to me). My little grinder/cutter is way on the "sissy" end for this type of work, but it did some business. Grinding was getting not too far in, and I didn't want to cut completely through the race.

The race seems almost welded on to the spindle. I hit it with some PB Blaster last night, then some WD40 this morning and then brake cleaner and a torch a little while ago. Did the grinding/cutting and can't even get an edge loosened up.






So, here's the next two part question: Hubs run around $45, and I figure the other is in fairly rough shape too. I have no idea what a decent grinding will cost me, but a new axle (with hubs) from TSC is about $135. $50 more than two new hubs - should I just replace the axle? Second part, the TSC axles don't say anything about use - are they okay for boat trailers?

Thanks guys. Appreciate the voice of experience!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Spindle help

TSC axles are fine for a boat. It may be gauld welded that often happens you never know till you get it off. When the bearing sezes it spins the race till it gaulds then whats left of the bearing rollers slip and fall apart. But it looks like your doing fine on cutting it through bearing metel is tuff stuff. Its a jungment call personaly I would replace it just from a labor and parts stand point and then you know its fine to use and ever thing is new but many will work on and reuse. I have seen a lot worse.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Spindle help

Axles are axles unless you have galvanized, but it doesn't look like you do. Just match the weight rating with your old one and you have all new stuff. Don't forget to re-pack the new bearings to be safe. I didn't think the old race would come off, it looked like it became one with the axle in the first pics.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Spindle help

Okay, did some cleaning (could do more) and did some grinding (new to me). My little grinder/cutter is way on the "sissy" end for this type of work, but it did some business. Grinding was getting not too far in, and I didn't want to cut completely through the race.

Keep going, your almost there! You only need to make one cut, not two. It will pop open when it breaks.
A few "cosmetic nicks" on the axel will not ruin it. The bearings do not roll on the axels, they roll on the races, and that is what you are trying to get off so you can put a new one on.

It looks like you are a few minutes from being done. I have used a Dremel tool to cut through worse.
Grind it most of the way through, then put a chisel in the slot and give it a good whack.
The races are hard, but brittle, they will not bend, but they will shatter.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Spindle help

kogs it should break once your done grinding the ONE cut through the race, its under incredible pressure and once your cut weakens the race to a point where it breaks it will come off pretty easily, just keep cutting the race until it breaks then tap it off the end of the spindle, yo may need a more aggressive disc to speed things up just be careful not to get into the spindle too much. I agree with willie your almost there keep at it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Spindle help

He is far enough into the race that a couple smacks with a broad angle cold chisel should break the race and pop it loose. The hub will have only one race (the outer bearing) since the inner bearing race is the one that's stuck on the axle. When you get the old race off, clean the bearing areas as best you can. A new bearing should slide on and off the spindle without binding. If you have to force the bearing onto the spindle it is too tight. You can then use emery cloth to polish the bearing area. The key areas on the spindle are the two bearing areas and the seal surface. If those are pitted and beat up a new axle would be best. There is also no reason to install new hubs. Any auto store (NAPA for example) can press out the old races and install the new ones. You only need to pack the new bearings, install them in the hub along with the seal. Just ensure you adjust the spindle nut properly. There are plenty of How-To''s" on the web and at trailer supply web sites (such as Champion Trailer Supply)

 

[southkogs]

Re: Spindle help

...just keep cutting the race until it breaks then tap it off the end of the spindle... I agree with willie your almost there keep at it.

Okay, that might turn out to be a good thing. I did some measuring and checking this afternoon, and have figured out that what TSC had for axles won't cut the mustard. My track is about 84" on this axle and I haven't found anything close to that width even online yet. I'm thinking a replacement axle is going to be more money than I thought ... so, I'll work on this route a little more.

He is far enough into the race that a couple smacks with a broad angle cold chisel should break the race and pop it loose.

I'm going to fiddle with that idea some more before I grind too much more. I was belting it with a mallet and a old, rather large screwdriver and got nowhere. It seems like the race is nearly welded to the spindle, but I'll work at it a little more.

Got the trailer up on jack stands this afternoon and took a look at the other side. It's in better shape, but needs some attention too.

Thanks for all the help guys ... I'll keep you posted.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Spindle help

Put a couple wraps of electrical tape around the axle's seal surface, so you don't accidentally nick it up. A screwdriver won't apply as much driving force as a chisel, it's got that plastic handle in the way. If you don't have a chisel, keep grinding. I'd concentrate on the back shoulder where it's thickest.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Spindle help

Just be careful the grinder doesn't touch the area where the seal runs. It could the lip off the seal.
Mike

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Spindle help

Put a couple wraps of electrical tape around the axle's seal surface, so you don't accidentally nick it up. A screwdriver won't apply as much driving force as a chisel, it's got that plastic handle in the way. If you don't have a chisel, keep grinding. I'd concentrate on the back shoulder where it's thickest.

+1
Use a chisel and a real hammer. At least 1 pound, a 3 pounder would be better.
You are trying to shatter it, not move or bend it. Once it cracks, it should come off in your hand with no effort
Don't worry too much about the area under the race, the inner seal area is the only place that has to be pristine.
The rest of it is only cosmetic, the race needs to fit well, but does not have to look good to work just fine for another 50 years!

As one worker once told Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs,
"If your going to hit it like a girl, at least hit it like a BIG girl!"

 

[southkogs]

Re: Spindle help

"If your going to hit it like a girl, at least hit it like a BIG girl!"

LOL - Got it. Put the pink hammer away

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Spindle help

......snip......I'm going to fiddle with that idea some more before I grind too much more. I was belting it with a mallet and a old, rather large screwdriver and got nowhere. It seems like the race is nearly welded to the spindle, but I'll work at it a little more.

Got the trailer up on jack stands this afternoon and took a look at the other side. It's in better shape, but needs some attention too.

Thanks for all the help guys ... I'll keep you posted.

Get a "real" hammer and a chisel. You want the shock ( solid hit ) to break it loose.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Spindle help

Sorry to say that shaft is shot. You can run a race on a shaft of just about any condition. Getting a seal to work on that shaft is another thing. You'll go thru rear seals like toilet paper.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Spindle help

Dingbat,I think you're right. I also see a wear groove making it undersized where the outer race would be.That spindle is junk.