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Trailer spindle pitting |
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66_Cuda 
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Joined: October-17-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 27 |
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 Topic: Trailer spindle pittingPosted: July-02-2021 at 2:50pm |
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If the decision is to replace it, you might want to consider an EZ=Lube.
Jack
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66 Barracuda 318 Poly
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MrMcD
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Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3749 |
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Posted: June-30-2021 at 5:19pm |
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Last September when I worked on the trailer mentioned above I tried to buy a new axle, I was told $400-$650 and a 8 week wait time. Maybe it is better now with things opening up more.
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TRBenj
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Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21183 |
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Posted: June-30-2021 at 12:31pm |
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If the grease seals don’t make a mess and the bearings run cool this year, I’d just leave it be. None of the trailer shops I called within a hundred mile radius would touch a spindle replacement. Full axle replacements aren’t terribly expensive but they’re all hollow these days… the original stuff Cc used is heavier duty imho.
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dwcar
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Joined: February-11-2007 Location: Houston Texas Status: Offline Points: 1103 |
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Posted: June-30-2021 at 12:11pm |
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I am installing new hubs/bearings and tires. I think will install and see how they feel. I dont have any long trips planned this year. This upcoming winter I will replace spindles. Thanks for all of the advice guys!!
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83Ski
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67 ski nat
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Joined: July-19-2018 Location: Santa rosa Status: Offline Points: 1194 |
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Posted: June-30-2021 at 9:47am |
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Well I’m trying to set my stuff up to last another 20 years. And the lakes are a bit of a drive in California
I carry extra set of 1967 trailer bearing because it sucks to have bearing problems on Saturday night So I’m not comfortable rolling those more than ten miles What does the hub surface look like |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: June-30-2021 at 9:31am |
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The picture is telling that at one time water sat between the bearing causing the pitting. With a clean up and new bearings I feel you would be good to go and hit the road.
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67 ski nat
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Posted: June-30-2021 at 9:11am |
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I would not trust that spindle on a long trip could heat up on road trip, fun to fix then
New axles are pretty cheap |
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MrMcD
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Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3749 |
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Posted: June-29-2021 at 9:40pm |
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With just a picture to go by it is hard to tell but it looks like the inner bearing rides on the smooth area in the far right of the photo, just before it gets larger where the seal would ride. Either way, install a good bearing on there and feel it. If the bearing fits tight, has no wobble or play it should run fine a long time. If it has play or if you can't adjust the hub properly with two good bearings in there the spindle is junk. You should be able to run the adjustment nut down with your fingers till all play is out of the bearings. If you put a wrench on the nut and to a little more the hub should start locking down due to the friction of overtightened bearings. If you tighten the bearings and the hub is loose junk the spindle. Keep in mind we are working on a boat trailer, most trailers only see a few miles each year, a little extra play might wear the tires more but with good grease will still last a very long time.
I worked on a trailer for a friend last year, they told me specifically not to worry about the trailer since they had just had it serviced the prior year. When I jacked up the wheels because the brakes were not working I found all 4 had at least 1" movement at the top of the tire when the trailer was jacked up so all 4 bearings were running very loose and all 4 seals were the wrong size so grease was all over the brakes leaving them useless. On tear down I found several more issues to fix including one spindle much worse than your picture and the spindle nut was actually stripped but the owner thought they were perfect as is. You never know till you open them up.
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67 ski nat
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Posted: June-29-2021 at 8:55pm |
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I see pitting on inner ? Replace it
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MrMcD
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Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3749 |
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Posted: June-29-2021 at 6:45pm |
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Looking at your photo it appears the outer bearing race is right next to the threads and not damaged, the inner bearing race is off to the right side of the photo and not damaged. The middle area with all the damage is away from both race areas? IF that is the case you are good to go. The photo makes me suspect someone at one point in time with that spindle had a wheel come off and the damage was done as it came loose?
When it comes to spindle damage the most dangerous thing to see is blueing from overheat. An axle that has been overheated due to a failed bearing can fracture and leave your wheel flying right off the trailer.
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Gary S
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Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Posted: June-29-2021 at 4:34pm |
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Do some careful measuring, bearing buddy has a fix for that but I'm not sure of the sizes.its called spindle seal kit
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Jonny Quest
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Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 2973 |
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Posted: June-29-2021 at 4:30pm |
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If the pitting isn’t too bad in the bearing area and the bearing and race are seated properly, you may get by with it. If there is pitting in the grease seal area, then you may have some problems.
JQ
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Current
2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
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dwcar
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Joined: February-11-2007 Location: Houston Texas Status: Offline Points: 1103 |
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Posted: June-29-2021 at 1:28pm |
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While changing out the hubs on my 83SN original trailer, I found a little pitting on the bottom side. Will this be ok?
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83Ski
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