Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

[NeWcS]

I sure hope this is the right place for this. If there is somewhere else this topic might get more attn please let me know.

Yesterday, got home from the lake. (4 hr drive going 80mph). As I'm pulling in it looks like one of the tires on my trailer is looking wonky. Back the boat/trailer in place and go take a look. I notice the dust cover for the 'bearing buddy' is missing and it looks like a retainer clip of some sort is sticking out. Oh yeah. and it's smoking. And hot AF. I dump some water on it and it immediately boils. and steams everywhere.
This morning, I jack up the trailer and the tire falls off. OMG. Nothing was holding it on.

Anyways, I am going to attach a bunch of pics with hopes someone will point me in the right direction as far as parts go.

From the research I have done so far, it looks like bt150a hub and the bearings are 1-1/16 both inner and outer. I'm not sure if these parts/kits are interchangeably. If I need to replace the hubs and bearings, I'd just assume do both sides.

My greatest concern is the spindle. It looks like things got so hot that it fused pieces of metal on to it. (See pics). I am not sure if its steal on steal or if it's another metal type.
I wanted to ask here 1st before I took a torch to it or some sort of grinder.

The trailer is a 2001 Ez Loader(y-stc80b)

Any and all help will be appreciated.
Thanks!!!

 

[airshot]

If it were me......had a similar incident a number of years back, bearing buddy came off while going down the highway and all the grease came out...and you know the rest of the story !! I am the kind of guy that fixes things right the first time so no future issues. I would cut off and reweld new axle stubs, then buy bearing kits and hubs for them. Better to be safe than sorry or have an even bigger problem down the road. Not that hard to drop the axle and replace the stubs. Weekend job once you have the parts. Good luck.

 

[jimmbo]

Contact EZLoader and see how much a new Axle and Hubs is. Might not be too much more than trying to repair the Damage, and that way the risk of the Wheels being Cambered or Toed In/Out is minimal

 

[NeWcS]

Contact EZLoader and see how much a new Axle and Hubs is. Might not be too much more than trying to repair the Damage, and that way the risk of the Wheels being Cambered or Toed In/Out is minimal

They're over $400 and that's before shipping. I would love to. I just don't have that kind of $. I was hoping it was something I could do on my own.

If it were me......had a similar incident a number of years back, bearing buddy came off while going down the highway and all the grease came out...and you know the rest of the story !! I am the kind of guy that fixes things right the first time so no future issues. I would cut off and reweld new axle stubs, then buy bearing kits and hubs for them. Better to be safe than sorry or have an even bigger problem down the road. Not that hard to drop the axle and replace the stubs. Weekend job once you have the parts. Good luck.

You mean cut off the spindle and weld a new one on in its place? I don't have those types of tools, or a place to do it.

 

[Mc Tool]

They're over $400 and that's before shipping. I would love to. I just don't have that kind of $. I was hoping it was something I could do on my own.


You mean cut off the spindle and weld a new one on in its place? I don't have those types of tools, or a place to do it.

400 bucks for the axle, hubs ,stub and bearings sounds like the go , not a bad price and as jimmbo sez no issues with alignment .

 

[Scott Danforth]

Those axle stubs are shot.

Your choices are cut off the old axle stubs and weld in new ones, making sure they are aligned

Or buy a new axle

A new axle is easier and less expensive

 

[bajaman123]

Buy a new axle...that is your only real option, with the resources you have indicated. Or take it to a trailer repair shop like REDNECK...this will assure you are tracking correctly.

 

[NeWcS]

I hear you all! I'll just buy an axle. Thanks for the info and suggestions.

 

[NeWcS]

400 bucks for the axle, hubs ,stub and bearings sounds like the go , not a bad price and as jimmbo sez no issues with alignment .

No hubs and no bearings though. Everything I've seen those need to be ordered separate.

 

[Sprig]

I agree 100% with the others - new axle.
Out of curiosity how long since those bearings were pulled, inspected/replaced and repacked?

 

[airshot]

Check your area and see if you have a local machine/ fabrication shop in your area. They often do side work to keep their people busy when things are slow. Before I retired, the shop I worked at often took in "farmer" jobs to help the local community and the people in it. You might have to jack up your trailer and pull the axle, but not that much of a job.

 

[NeWcS]

I agree 100% with the others - new axle.
Out of curiosity how long since those bearings were pulled, inspected/replaced and repacked?

Far too long!!! Obviously, lol. Having rust in there is a sign it was way too long. Man I got lucky.

 

[jimmbo]

No hubs and no bearings though. Everything I've seen those need to be ordered separate.

Is there an EZloader Distributor near You?
When my Trailers' Axle was replaced, it was a Package Unit, Axle, Hubs, Backing Plate, and Brakes.


Referring back to the Original Post.
Trailer, what is its' Capacity? What condition is it in? It is almost 25 yrs old. Might be overall cheaper to consider replacing the whole thing.
Not what you wanna hear, but since you brag about towing at what would be illegal Speeds in many Locals, the entire Trailer has to be in good Condition. I certainly hope the Boat is also very secured to the Trailer.

 

[NeWcS]

Is there an EZloader Distributor near You?
When my Trailers' Axle was replaced, it was a Package Unit, Axle, Hubs, Backing Plate, and Brakes.


Referring back to the Original Post.
Trailer, what is its' Capacity? What condition is it in? It is almost 25 yrs old. Might be overall cheaper to consider replacing the whole thing.
Not what you wanna hear, but since you brag about towing at what would be illegal Speeds in many Locals, the entire Trailer has to be in good Condition. I certainly hope the Boat is also very secured to the Trailer.

There is nothing near me. lol. I'm in pretty rural Montana. Hence why I was going 80mph. But your concerns are valid.

I have an email in with a couple companies to check pricing.

I'm not sure what weight the axle is rated at. The trailer itself is 400lbs. The boat is about 1000. and the motor I think is 300. It's not that big.

 

[Drivewayboater2]

I’m glad it wasn’t worse than it was.

400.00 is much less than the thousands of insurance costs it would have been if the boat took a dump at 80 mph. It’s a relatively easy job to replace the axel. No real special tools required either. Glad you and your rig survived.

As others said , replace it.
Good luck. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[NeWcS]

It’s a relatively easy job to replace the axel. No real special tools required either.

Looks pretty straight forward. Just 8 bolts. I guess my biggest concern doing it myself is the alignment.

I’m glad it wasn’t worse than it was.

400.00 is much less than the thousands of insurance costs it would have been if the boat took a dump at 80 mph.

Me too. me too. I keep telling myself how lucky I am that I made it all the way home the way it was.
And yeah. I figure the cost of a new axle would be a hella lot cheaper than even a tow truck ride all the way home.

 

[roscoe]

New axle doesn't have to come from ez loader. Just need to get the measurements right.
$360 complete with hubs and bearings.
And free delivery to Kalispel by Aug 7th.
Many options available.
Shop around and call their customer service people to make sure you get the right/good stuff.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Axles/etrailer/e65GR.html

 

[jimmbo]

That Axle is not a Straight Axle, it is one that Is lower at the Center, than at Spindles

 

[Scott Danforth]

I just checked prices at my local trailer place's web site. $317 for a pinched axle and hubs

 

[tphoyt]

I was going to suggest Etrailer as well. I have used them many times with great service.
All the best to ya