Sure Lube pin for Karavan trailer

Captain Caveman

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
1,026
Has anyone found a good, local replacement for these Sure Lube cotter pins? I just replaced all of the bearings, races, and rear seals but realized that I didn't have replacement cotter pins. I don't want to wait a week to order new ones online.

Online the size is: 1-11/16" x 1/2" x 5/32"

1760970746646.png

Before anyone says "just use a regular cotter pin," I'll pre-emptively say that you can't. Not on the Sure Lube spindles on Karavan trailers. If you use a regular cotter pin, it will hold the castle nut on but it is too thin for the hole. Therefore grease presses out of the cotter pin hole in the front of the spindle instead of flowing to the rear bearing and pushing old grease out the front.

So technically, yes, I could use a regular cotter pin but the hub won't get proper grease. None of the local auto shops seem to have a cotter pin like this.
 

airshot

Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
6,026
Measure the dia and buy a piece of round stock the dia you need. Bend or shape however needed. Looks pretty simple from the pic.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,762
Has anyone found a good, local replacement for these Sure Lube cotter pins? I just replaced all of the bearings, races, and rear seals but realized that I didn't have replacement cotter pins. I don't want to wait a week to order new ones online.

Online the size is: 1-11/16" x 1/2" x 5/32"

View attachment 412520

Before anyone says "just use a regular cotter pin," I'll pre-emptively say that you can't. Not on the Sure Lube spindles on Karavan trailers. If you use a regular cotter pin, it will hold the castle nut on but it is too thin for the hole. Therefore grease presses out of the cotter pin hole in the front of the spindle instead of flowing to the rear bearing and pushing old grease out the front.

So technically, yes, I could use a regular cotter pin but the hub won't get proper grease. None of the local auto shops seem to have a cotter pin like this.
I have a 2-3 in the top of my tool box left from a batch I bent up years ago.

Do yourself a favor and get a piece of 5/32" TIG/gas welding rod and make your own ;)
 
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