6 Lug/5 1/2 vs spindle size - The Hull Truth

capehaze · 06-19-2009, 08:23 PM

May have to pull the wheel to see, but are there any comments? :

Have LoadRite 6400 lb tandem (24T6400) trailer w/disk brakes that need replacing. Wheels are 6 lug, 5 1/2" center. Ordered Kodiaks. Kodiak 6 lug, 5 1/2 ctr are 12" disks. The circumference of my old disks is *near* what 12" would be - I think!!!.

Now... sometime back got a spare bearing and seal set from LoadRite. The grease seal and bearings from LR are WAY smaller than the new that came with the Kodiak brakes (6 lug 5 1/2 (12" disk) hubs).

The 10" Kodiak brakes are 5 lug x 4 1/2 ...

Did LoadRite send the wrong bearings and the Kodiak will fit? ...Or did they use some sort of odd-ball system with small bearings/hub/spindle, but using 6 lug, 5 1/2 ctr wheels?

Thanks,
Woody

Bigger Hammer · 06-19-2009, 09:52 PM

This may or may not help...
Looking at Champion Trailers web site, it looks like there are 6 lug hubs available in several combinations of different size bearings and seals:
http://www.championtrailers.com/hubs.html#painted_hubs

I think that 3200 lbs axles (6400 lbs x 1/2) are usually 5 lug, so you may have the hubs with the smaller bearings, #18 in the table linked above.

You may be able to match the bearing and seal part numbers with the Champion table too.

Did you get new hubs from Kodiak, or just the disks/brackets/calipers? If you didn't get the single piece hub/disk sets from Kodiak you should be able to continue to use the hubs you have.

Bill

capehaze · 06-20-2009, 12:04 AM

Thanks Bill,

After posting, I went to the Reliable Manufacturing (who I believe made my spindles/axles). After some searching, I found this:
"Idlers and brake drums available in 5 on 4½", 5 on 5", 5 on 5½", and 6 on 5½" bolt patterns, rotor available in 5 on 4½""
No doubt I have disks, not drums, but this reinforces what you said.

It isn't looking good since my old hubs / disks are one piece and so are the new Kodiaks. I'm going to pull down the wheel tomorrow to verify things. When I measured my rotors, they came withing a fraction of being 12", but I need to confirm. I think the person I talked to when ordering didn't consider the less common setup that I (most likely) have. When I told him I had a 6 x 5 1/2 lug pattern and the disks measured "about 12", he looked at his Kodiak selection and sent me the ~6000 pound axle units. Went to the Kodiak site and could not find an offering in 6x5 1/2 that might fit my spindle. Now faced with the return freight - Oh well. Worse, I may have to postpone a fishing trip and (so far) can't fine new *quality* brakes that have the 3200 pound bearing size and my lug pattern at the same time. The OEM brakes that came on the trailer are not much to brag about - They started dragging which brought this all about. Would like to go Kodiak, but might be forced to get Tie-Downs that I found at Champion (PART # 3288) - that have the smaller bearings and 6 lugs.

Tnx again,
Woody

Bigger Hammer · 06-20-2009, 08:39 AM

If that is the state you're in, my recommendation would be to go to a two piece hub & disk setup. New 6-lug hubs would be ~$32 per, then install the Kodiak disks on top of them.
The only advantage I'm aware of to a one piece hub/disk is less runout. I would prefer to be able to replace just a hub if I ever had a major bearing disaster on a trip, rather than a hub with a disk.
Bill

capehaze · 06-20-2009, 02:31 PM

Not a bad idea, Bill, but I already have the brakes and I'm in south central VA, the store is in DE. THE GOOD NEWS... I was surprised but happy to discover, my 6400 pound trailer has the 6000 pound spindles! Have been carrying around spare bearings that were too small for a few years - Glad I didn't nee 'em. ...Now I have the old ones (were OK) as spares.

The Kodiak rotors were 2" bigger in circumference than the old rotors, but everything fit. ...Just barely - Almost can't slip a piece of paper between the back of the caliper and the wheel, but they don't touch. Even the sure-lube end cups (with zirk fitting) mated OK. Break is over, now to the other wheel.

Thanks for the advice,
Woody