Trailer question?

[randymullaly]

Gentlemen,

Need some advise please. Coming back from the Lighthouse on Monday I smoked a wheel bearing. Made a call to my boat tow service and 10 minutes later my boat and trailer are being loaded on a flat bed and taken back to my house. Picked up two new hub kits (gonna change one, better change them both). Pulled the good hub and it slid right off. Other hub, not so easy. Had to buy a puller. The spindle is lightly scored. Not bad but noticeable. OK to simply put on the new hub/bearing kit or do I need to repair the the spindle and if so, whats the best way?

[bman]

Its a question of degree... I'd take it to coastal trailer and see what they think.

[flatsbroke22]

If it's not scored real bad get some emory cloth and smooth it back down. Done this several times without trouble.

[SS-342]

If it's not scored real bad get some emory cloth and smooth it back down. Done this several times without trouble.

Right answer for me as well! Smooth it down and put your new bearing on. Everything should be fine.

[randymullaly]

Thanks for the replies. Im assuming the spindle doesn't have to be "smooth as glass"? Obviously the smoother the better but small scratches that don't effect the race from seating on the spindle shouldn't effect anything?? YES-NO? Thanks again!

[SS-342]

Thanks for the replies. Im assuming the spindle doesn't have to be "smooth as glass"? Obviously the smoother the better but small scratches that don't effect the race from seating on the spindle shouldn't effect anything?? YES-NO? Thanks again!

No, it doesn't have to be smooth. Just get the bearing on and it will smooth itself (some). The inner race needs enough resistance to keep it from turning. I've cut inner races off of farm equipment and scarred the axel real bad. It worked if a new bearing could be put on the spindle. It just hold the bearings. Now, if it is real bad there may be a safety issue? Like bad enough to break or bend. Your bearing doesn't turn on it. When a bearing goes out things lock up and usually starts turning on the spindle - the inner race does. Things get hot and often times weld the inner race to the spindle before everything falls apart. In real bad cases the inner race has to be cut off with a torch.

Just my 2 cents - I'm a farmer not a mechanic but I've been around that block a few times.

[randymullaly]

Thanks for the guidance. New hubs on and all seems to be fine. I fish 3 or 4 times a week so Im thinking I need to pull maintenance on the bearings at least twice a year! I would tell all my Bigbendfishing friends that if you don't have trailer tow service, you should. Only costs a few bucks to add and its worth "TEN TIMES" the cost when you need it!