wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

[ward cleaver]

the previous owner of my trailer had replaced the hubs and bearings. i will skip the long story about nearly killing a bunch of people because the wheels almost spun off the axle after only about 100 miles!!!

i think i have finally figured out why after following the conventional way of replacing bearings: get the same part number that was installed. just could not get everything to seat properly, always at least some wobble to the hub. after learning about axles, spindles, bearings etc, i have concluded that the PO put on the wrong hub -- one with two different size bearings meant for a tapered spindle, not the straight spindle on the trailer. i am attaching a sketch of the axle/spindle with my measurements.

since i have seen first hand what can happen when you get this repair wrong, i am looking for the correct part numbers for my spindle. if you need any other info, let me know. thanks for your help.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

Have you checked out the sticky at the top of this part of the forum?

http://forums.iboats.com/trailers-towing/re-wheel-bearing-sizes-294110.html

It may be just what you are looking for.

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

thanks, i did see that. i forgot to mention that what i was mostly looking for was the confirmation that this spindle takes two same-size bearings (L44649) because the 1.4" diameter surface is for the seal and not a surface for bearings to ride on which is what i think the PO was thinking when he put on this hub/bearings.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

I think you are correct- the 1.4" diameter surface is for the inner bearing seal, not meant to be used for a bearing race.
You should be able to get a rough confirmation by measuring the distance in your hub from the inner surface of the inner
race to the outer surface of the outer race. That should be something around 3.75" (if you assume the bearing will stick
outside the race by about 1/8".

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

can you recommend a hub that is compatible?

edit: the hub (PT581750) i have comes with two different size bearings. so it would fit a tapered spindle not the straight spindle i have.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

How heavy is the boat your pulling? what size is your spindle? if you have a 3500lb axel bearing size is 1 3/8 1 1/16.. Im not aware of a straight spindle,,, most are tapered that Ive seen

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

the spindle takes the L44649 bearings. and yes, it is a straight spindle. also, it appears that the spindle is shorter than a standard spindle since it is only 4.75 inches long. after searching around quite a bit, i think this (Reliable BT150A SHORT Trailer Axle Idler Hub W/Bearings) is the hub/bearing kit i need.

the boat is a 16 ft aluminum. not a common mfg. can't remember the name right now. the axle is 1.58 inches square by my measurement.

see attached sketch for my measurements.

 

[SWD]

Re: wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

I had the same issue a few years back. In the end I just got a replacement axle complete with new hubs. It was worth the piece of mind.

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: wrong hub and bearings could have caused a disaster

update: the spindle takes the standard size hub not the shorter one