No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

[JSGOLD]

I serviced the bearings this weekend for the first time on my boat trailor and replaced bearing buddies (lost one recently) with newer ones. The bearings were actually in good shape as were the races so I cleaned them up, repacked them and replaced seals. The thing that struck me was that there was no washer under the spindle but, nor any kind of captive device. Maybe there never was one but I also noticed the spindle hole / cotter pin was a little more forward of the nut than I had seen before back in the days of working on old cars etc. This is the first time for me on a trailor axle period, so maybe no big deal. It seems OK and that is the way I got it from PO, but is this common? Most diagrams I have seen show either a captive device, a washer, or both on trailor axles.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

All the ones I've ever fooled with had a washer. The washer is going to spread the load keeping the bearing in place. Not that there is really any torque on the spindle nut. I'd look around and see if I could buy some if I were you. Good luck!

 

[Bondo]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

Ayuh,... Can't say's that I've ever seen a spindle set that didn't have a washer 'tween the inner race, 'n the nut....

 

[rockyrude]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

There should be both a washer and a cotter pin. The outer bearing COULD loosen the nut on you. The washer should bring the nut in line with the cotter pin hole.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

Thanks guys...seemed odd to me. I will yank the bearing buddies back off and get some washers. Might even see if they have any captive devices and replace the cotter pins while I am at it. I had a cotter pin kit but mine were long enough but not as heavy as these were and I reused the old ones as they looked strong...but after taking them off again I will just replace them....

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

yes it would be real tuff if you lose a wheel along I 64 some place.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

Ayuh,... Can't say's that I've ever seen a spindle set that didn't have a washer 'tween the inner race, 'n the nut....

you mean outer bearing and nut right? Of course you are correct...the washer will be between the inner race and the nut...just a few other pieces between them too!

 

[CoffeeHound]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

The washer has a little tab on inside ( or is suppose to have ) to keep it from turning and also it is a safty washer in case you trash a bearing .
Be sure to get the right ones and also quality cotter pins to go with them .

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

yes it would be real tuff if you lose a wheel along I 64 some place.

You said it!
Supposed to be heading up I-79 in less than 2 weeks to Stonewall. Hate to have a wheel rolling past me going down those mountains!

the scary thing is this trailor has been like this since I got it. Guess the cotter pin has been holding the nut in check pretty well, or I have just been lucky. Note to self....next time I buy a boat and trailor, pull the bearings and examine them.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: No washer on spindles...big deal or not?

I can't locate much around here except for entire hubs or rebuild kits..but found some flat washers at NAPA. They could not supply any kind of washer with a the fold down tabs, guess I will deal with that later. I did notice that some of these import hubs do not even offer washers of any kind, just bearings, races, hub, seals, spindle nuts....Guess that is what PO had used. This may sound stupid but if anything I have learned there are NO stupid questions on boats or trailers....The washers I got were nice and thick and will put my new cotter pins in much better location with the spindle nut....Does the size of the washers matter? I got two that were pretty much OD as the bearings, which should put more equal pressure on them, but was wondering if this is a problem with bearing buddies...as far as getting lube in. Are bearing buddies simply for getting the pressure up slightly in the hubs, or do they let you get fresh lube to the bearings? Was just thinking that grease will not get to the outer bearing as easy, but maybe that is no big deal......?