Trailer troubles

S

Salmon Fisher

Member
I have a 2006 EZ Loader bunk trailer that hauls our 25 just fine, thank you.

The trouble is the surface on the spindle that the rear seal rides on at the back of the hub. It is pitted and shot.
After losing the bearings on all 4 wheels last year after new hubs, brakes and all replaced in Aug 2014. I went with the Bearing Buddy Spindle Seal Kit 11 for my size of spindle and hub.

http://www.bearingbuddy.com/spindle.html

It's been a year and 3 out of 4 wheels are quietly rolling. One was a growler. I discovered this after replacing tires and checking brake pads on the Titan discs. Bearings and races shot, can't think anything other than water leaking in from rear seal.

Went to 6 Robblees for bearings and told them my sad story. Counter Guy says I need to install EZ Loader wear sleeve. Says my trailer should have come with it. I don't know since I am 3rd owner of boat and trailer.

Here is the wear sleeve by EZ Loader:

http://estore.ezloader.com/product.asp? ... 225&3=3913

Counter Guy gave a strip of 80 grit emery cloth to dress the spindle surface and then said sleeve would slip over surface with hammer taps. The spindle was rusted, I used a Dremel to get down to bare metal and then worked slowly. I cannot take enough material off the spindle to slip on the wear sleeve.

Now, I am thinking of new axles since the rest of the trailer is just fine. A new trailer would be nice, but more $$$ we don't want to spend.

Any thoughts from the experts out there? I like the idea of a wear sleeve, but can't get them on.

Thanks all!
 
Wear sleaves may be what is called a "tight fit". First, clean the axle. Then chill the axel the best you can. Heat the sleave and install. Larry
 
Journey On rides on a EZ Loader trailer and I've used sleeves several times. The rear seal on an EZ Loader is rubber coated and double lipped, which puts a heavy load on the bearing surface. I've used S&K sleeves but it's nice to know that EZ Loader has acknowledged the problem and at least is selling the sleeves. They should come on the trailer new but I doubt if they do. Mine didn't. Keep an eye on them since the stainless wears and in the course of time you'll replace the sleeves.

So, to install the sleeve heat it in an oven. The oven I use goes down to the low 180's and I use ~250 deg F. Then you'll have to tap it on with a hammer and a short piece of pipe which will slip over the hub. Lube axle side first with silicone spray/grease first. The sleeves are an interference fit. If you can't convince the other half to use the oven, you could use boiling water.

As you know, to get a new hub you have to order the complete axle which isn't cheap.

Boris
 
Thanks for the info guys. I heated the sleeves, but that didn't make much of a difference, even at 450 F and ran it out to the trailer!
So I will consult a shop and see what they say. Maybe I didn't put enough force on them. So will report back later.
I am trusting the new seal on the smoothish spindle to get us to Anacortes in the morning. We will sling in, so as not to chance getting water in the hub again. With fingers crossed, we hope to enjoy the Friday Harbor get together!
 
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