I have a trailer with 7000 lbs axles for which I ordered up new hubs, drums, bearings and backing plates from etrailerpart.

Installed the backing plates.

Packed the inner bearing and placed it into the race on the hub/drum. Tapped the bearing seal on and went to go put it on the spindle and it went about half way on and then didnt want to go any further.

Is it possible this is not a #42 spindle or am I doing this wrong?

 

Sounds like the bearing is not the right one for that spindle. Take the bearing out of the hub and push it onto the spindle by hand. Does it go on? If it does it was just cocked and didn't start onto the spindle correctly. If not they are not meant for each other. I hope you don't wreck the seal removing it.

Or better yet try the bearing for the other side and confirm that they are the same part number.

Wetspirit

 

It wasn't clear to me what the interference was, the seal or the bearing getting stuck on the spindle? In any event, either one should slide over the spindle without any binding.

Like said above, verify that you have the right parts on an empty spindle. Sounds like you merely need some other parts.

 

OK I tried sliding the bearing onto the spindle alone and it didnt go on either. It should slide right up to the "shoulder" on the spindle, right?



I will have to take the seal off of the old hub and get the PN off the bearing on that. I should've thought of that before (!)

This kind of confuses me because I don't know what else this spindle could be if not a #42. Guess I will find out!

Thanks for the advice.

 

It turns out the bearing numbers are exactly the same so I guess that is a good thing. Is it possible that I need to tighten the axle nut to push it on entirely?

 

Thats a fairly machined fit between that bearing race and spindle. If it cocked the least little bit it will not go on. I have slid the hub on until it locked up and then inserted the outter bearing to keep everything strait. Just put the bearing in and as you hold pressure aginst it with your fingers, bump the hub and see if you cant walk it on that way. Always woks for me.

 

Thanks that worked. Put up a little how to page - http://xj.cdevco.net/auto/trailer - let me know if I'm giving any bad advice!

 

Looks like a great How To article to me. Very easy to follow and pictures make everything easier

 

OK 1 more question. Once assembled, how much play, if any, should there be when I grab the tire mounted onto the hub/drum with the wheel off the ground and move it sort of back and forth (say like pushing it in towards the trailer with 1 hand and out towards me with the other hand at the same time). I seem to have just a bit of play and I'm wondering if something is not right or if this is normal.

 

You shouldn't really have any detectable play.

I hope people don't mind my repeatedly posting this, but Al-Ko's free downloadable manual is really good.

http://www.al-kousa.com/ then click on Owner's Manual.

Essentially with new bearings they suggest making sure everything is seated by tightening the nut to 20 ft/lbs while rotating the tire, then loosen.

Then with tire not rotating, tighten to 7 ft/lbs (which would feel snug with about a 8" channel lock), then back it off one slot. That should put you in the range of 0.001 to 0.010, the desired end play.

 

Thanks... I had been looking at the Dexter manual which is a little different. They said to loosen and hand tighten the spindle nut after tightening to 50 lb ft while spinning. I think 7 lb ft might be a little bit more than hand tight which is where that tiny amount of play might be coming from.