Beerbrewer

I was given an old 1982 Dilly bunk trailer that has not been used in years. The frame of the trailer us in great shape, without any rust. It spent most of its early life in a garage. I'd like to use it again to carry my 14' Jon Boat. So I've decided to replace the Springs (they looked rusty) and the Bearings. When I took the hubs apart I found a lot of rusty colored goop inside. Obviously condensation and the rain water got in there, It had a hard time getting the hubs off because the inside bearings were stuck on the spindles. Not wanting to damage the spindles, I took out my grinder and I made a groove in the stuck bearing sleeve. Then I was able to cause a tiny crack and they slide right off, The spindles look pitted but seem fairly smooth, The outside of the hubs is a little rusty too and the inside of the hubs (where the bearings would ride) looks a little pitted too, but seems smooth to the touch.

How do I know if the spindles and hub are too pitted and need replacing? I can replace the hubs easy enough, but the axle is an odd size. The axle, has a little rust, but not bad except for the pitted spindles it looks okay. Its a galvanized square 1.5" axle, its 55-1/2" tip to tip, has 1" spindles and spring center distance is 39-1/2". I can't seem to find another axle just like it. Yes....this is my first trailer.

Thoughts?

maxie

Post a pic...but a little pitting is ok...clean them off with scotch brite....get new bearings, hand pack them and assemble/tighten them properly...the inner and outer race of the bearing doesnt spin on the spindle or hub..they just are held in place....the bearing internals and grease do the work...should not be a big deal unless youre missing chunks of material.

Walleye Guy

Also make sure that the inside of the hub where the outer ring is clean and free of any debris/burrs/dirt. The outer ring or cup must be seated in the hub cleanly. If the outer ring is installed and it is not seated properly, bearing life will be shortened dramatically.

Maxie has a good idea on posting a pic. We'd like to see the hub.

CharlieFoxtrot

Well, I would not want to tow any distance with a pitted spindle. What you need is one of those sleeves that goes over your spindle.
Call eastern marine, tht sponsor, they are really good. I want to say the brand name is Easy Sleeve, or Speedy sleeve, something like that.

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99 Key West 1900cc/Johnson 115

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance."

270Handiman

That's for the seal bearing surface. If that's pitted, then yes, Speedi Sleeves work well. But if he is referring to the spindle around the bearings, then the other posted responses are good.

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