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Expert Answers about Trailer Spindles


  • Replacing a Spindle on an Enclosed Trailer Axle
  • When replacing the spindle on your trailer with a EZ Lube Spindle, part # TRU74FR, you will need to cut off the existing spindle and weld a new one in place. I strongly recommend you take it to a qualified machine shop to have the appropriate welds done.
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  • Who Can Replace a Trailer Spindle
  • Trailer spindles should only be installed by a qualified fabricator with trailer axle experience who has the necessary equipment to square up a trailer spindle. It's not a project for someone who's pretty good at welding since if the spindle is off by just a little bit you will have all sorts of alignment issues.
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  • Spindle Replacement on 2006 Fleetwood Prowler Camper
  • Replacing the spindle on your axle will require cutting the old spindle off and welding a new spindle (see link) in its place. You would need to find a certified welder so that he has the proper tools and welding equipment to make the repair. To figure out which spindle is correct for your trailer you can use the bearing part numbers, both inner and outer, axle weight capacity and the shape and length of the spindle stub on your trailer. The bearing numbers will let you cross reference...
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  • Process for Changing a Damaged Spindle on a Trailer Axle
  • Replacement of a spindle on a trailer axle is best left to a professional installer. This is not a do-it-yourself type of project. We urge you to use a professional welder experienced in axle fabrication. Proper alignment and welding are critical to safe operation of the trailer. Depending on the condition of the axle you may be better served by replacing the entire axle/spindle assembly. Although the axle adds to the parts cost, you will save on the labor side. A new axle with spindles...
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  • Recommendation for How to Remove a Bent Spindle from Axle on Utility Trailer
  • Removing a damaged spindle is the easy part - it can be cut off with a torch or saw. But welding on a new one is another matter and requires the new spindle be welded exactly straight. It is actually easier to replace the entire axle with a new one that has good spindles on both ends. This may even be less costly than having a new spindle welded on by a qualified welder. It will also ensure that both spindles will have the same working lifespan, which would not be the case if only one is...
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  • Do Trailer Spindles Just Weld to End of Axle
  • So the install of a spindle like the # TRU97FR really needs to be done by a welder who has done the job before and has the special jigs for the job. It's a precision job and we can't recommend a method for it aside from taking it to someone who is equipped for it. Otherwise your alignment will be off.
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  • How Tight Should a Castle Nut Be On Boat Trailer Spindle
  • There isn't a torque spec for a spindle castle nut like part # 165931. The castle nut will need to be tightened until there is no side to side play with the hub and then backed off a quarter of a turn or until the cotter pin or retainer clip lines up. There is not a specific value for this.
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  • How To Remove Trailer Spindle
  • If you are needing to completely remove the spindles on your trailer and replace them with new ones the old ones just need to be cut off. These are welded directly to the axle so you will need to use a torch or saw for this process. When installing the new units I highly recommend using the services of a certified professional with this type of experience. The spindle has to be welded perfectly square to the axle or you're going to have constant issues with the trailer's suspension once...
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  • What Might Cause a Grease Cap to Keep Coming Off of the Hub Assembly On a Boat Trailer
  • I would recommend to remove and reinstall the complete trailer hub assembly to make sure all of the parts are installed properly. I am including a link to a video of how to remove and reinstall a trailer hub on a boat trailer. This video will show you how to take off the hub assembly and how to properly put it back on and tighten the spindle nut. The spindle nut on the end of the spindle should be held on with a cotter pin or tang washer. If the cotter pin or tang washer is missing that...
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  • Greasing E-Z Lube Spindles on Trailer
  • It sounds like your you have E-Z Lube spindles on your trailer that feature grease zerk fittings at the ends of the spindle. Adding grease to the spindle and bearings is just a matter of using a grease gun like what it sounds like you have done. The spindle will have a hole in it so that it fills the hub components from the back of the inner bearing with grease as you pump grease into the fitting. You will want pump the grease slowly while occasionally rotating the hub so as to prevent...
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  • How to Remove a Hub From a Trailer Spindle
  • To remove a hub from an axle, you will need to first remove the grease cap on the end of the hub. This will expose the end of the spindle. Once at this point, you will need to see if you have an EZ-Lube spindle, like # TRU77FR, or a standard spindle, like # TRU57FR. If you have the standard spindle, there will be a castle nut threaded onto the end of said spindle that is locking a fairly large washer in place. This will be locked in place by a cotter pin, like # 165649. These will all...
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  • What is Best Way to Have Trailer Spindles Installed on Axle
  • Spindles like # TRU94FR need to be installed by a welder/fabricator with the correct equipment for the job. It's a precision install that requires specials jigs so that the wheel alignment is perfect. Contact local welders to you and ask if they can install axle spindles. If they can't they'll definitely know someone who can.
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  • Does 1-1/2" Spindle Nut Have a Torque Setting
  • Trailer spindle nuts, like the 1-1/2" Spindle Nut # 6-96, don't have a specific torque setting. What you'll want to do is snug up the trailer nut and then back it off a little so your trailer hub has some some freedom of movement. If you have it torqued down too much it will make it harder for your hub to move and will cause it to overheat.
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  • Design of EZ-Lube Spindles to Allow Grease to Reach Inner and Outer Bearings
  • I think you may be referring to the spindle that is installed on your trailer axle. The spindle is the part such as # TRU74FR which has a grease zerk fitting on the spindle's end. This grease fitting allows you to fill the hub bore and both inner and outer bearings with grease without having to remove the hub to pack the bearings by hand. If you have this type of EZ-Lube spindle you do not also need to use Bearing Buddy bearing protectors like those mentioned in the question you reviewed....
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  • Removing Trailer Bearing that is Stuck on Spindle After Removing Hub
  • The first thing to try to is add some penetrating oil like WD40 and let it sit for awhile. You can then try tapping the bearing to try and remove it. You don't want to hit it too hard because you can damage the spindle. It is possible that the bearing has become welded to the spindle. This happens if there isn't enough grease and it gets too hot. If this is your problem the bearing and spindle are both bad, in which case it is recommended to replace the spindle or axle.
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  • Is It Possible For Spindle On Driver Side Of Trailer To Be Smaller Than Spindle On Passenger Side?
  • That is pretty odd, but not impossible. The only way that would happen is if someone replaced the driver side spindle at some point with one that is different. To determine which bearings will fit the spindle you will need to take a look at the bearing numbers stamped on the face of the bearings on that side. With the bearing numbers I will be able to recommend the correct replacement bearings. I included a picture of the bearing number stamped in the face of the # L44649 to show you...
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  • Can Bearing Buddy Protector be Used on Trailer Spindle with Grease Fitting
  • To install Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors like the part # BB2441SS that you were looking at on trailer spindles that feature a grease fitting you will indeed need to remove the zerk fitting first. This is simply because the Bearing Buddy won't fit to the hub properly with the grease fitting behind it on the spindle. With the fitting removed the Bearing Buddy will fit and work great as long as it is the correct size for your hub. This particular model is designed to fit a hub bore diameter...
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  • What is the Torque Spec of the Spindle Nut on a Dexter E-Z Lube Axle
  • In order to remove the hub/drum on your trailer you will want to first remove the spindle nut. Once the spindle nut is removed you are going to want to take a hammer and tap the outer portion of the drum as well as the hub face a few times to break loose an rust/dirt. You should then be able to pull the drum off. Once the drum is off you can wipe down the spindle and then spray the braking assemblies with brake cleaner. You can then install the drum and spindle nut. The spindle nut will...
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  • How To Use Bearing Kit for #84 Spindle with Round Spindle
  • In regards to the Bearing Kit for #84 Spindle part # BK2-100, if you have a round spindle you'd simply reuse the flat washer and spindle nut that was already on the axle. If you need them we do offer them as the Trailer Spindle Nut part # 165686, the Washer part # SW1000, and Cotter Pin part # 165649.
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  • How Much of a Spindle Shaft Needs to Be Inside the Axle Beam
  • The more of the spindle shaft you can get in an axle beam the better. There isn't really a minimum distance that I could determine for a stub such as # TRU97FR but you have to consider several factors like the weight capacity of the axle and where the wheels will be relative to the trailer frame for the spindle position. Basically, I recommend having the whole spindle shaft in the axle beam because that is how pre-fabricated axles come such as # T3584F-EZ-8974 for example.
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