Race stuck on axle

[Robert95z]

Hey Guys,

On my way home last night I noticed my left hub smoking. I pulled over and the wheel was sitting on an angle. The bearings were completely shot. I limped it home very slowly and took it apart. All the bearings/seals are blown and the axle itself is pretty boogered up. I have 2 things.

1. Is this axle ok to use again? Its pretty boogered up, but I would hate to have to buy another axle.

2. Im assuming the race isn't supposed to be on the axle. How can I get this off?

Thanks

(the trailer is a single axle 2009 karavan)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Race stuck on axle

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... It looks saveable, but it's gonna take time, talent, 'n cuttin' torches,....

Among other various tools, 'n tricks,...

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Race stuck on axle

Thats a dexter axle to, how did it run low on grease.

 

[Robert95z]

Re: Race stuck on axle

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... It looks saveable, but it's gonna take time, talent, 'n cuttin' torches,....

Among other various tools, 'n tricks,...

Glad to hear its salvageable.. Unfortunately I don't have the talent, tricks, and various tools... But maybe we can do this together?

Thats a dexter axle to, how did it run low on grease.

Well I bought the boat about 5 months ago. This is my first boat, and I haven't checked it since I bought it. (shame on me)

It did have buddy bearings, but it actually popped off and was sizzling hot.

I called Karavan trailers, and I ordered a new hub assembly that will come with all the bearings. But I just wondering If I need to replace the axle. Again, I really don't want to if I can get by.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Race stuck on axle

To remove the race. Take a sharp chisel and lightly cut the race ( from one end to the other) not straight down. No need for a torch. Take some emery cloth and smooth out where the front and rear bearings set. You should be good to go. As asked above. How did you run a bearing dry with those hubs?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Race stuck on axle

I'd use Dremel with a abrasive cutoff wheel to cut a groove into the race,,, almost all the way through on both sides. Then place a chisel in the groove, smack it with a hammer, and it should break the halves apart.

It looks like the old bearing fragments tore up the axle to some extent, which will need to be filed and evened out with a file. (This is the part Bond-o was talking about, slow and easy, just take off the high spots.)

Carefully inspect the axle's seal surface, to make sure it's smooth and not gouged up, pitted or scratched. If it's not perfect, put a Speedi-sleeve on it to get a good seal surface back again. (Oh yeah, don't damage the seal surface while working on the axle, probably best to wrap it 5-10 layers of tape.)

 

[Robert95z]

Re: Race stuck on axle

Thanks for the input. I know I have a dremel somewhere, I think my dad has it. So I will cut it off in the next few days.

So in order to salvage the axle, I need smooth out with an emery cloth where the bearings set. And file and even out high spots (what kind of file?)

Fishrdan, you recommended to inspect the axles seal surface. Is that the area right before the race? Is there another area also? Does the area need to be perfectly smooth?

People are wondering how I managed to run these bearings dry. I couldn't tell ya. I never thought about checking them since I bought the boat. There was still a lot of grease in there, but when I removed the wheel a bunch of water spilled out. The inner seal was probably toast for quite some time.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Race stuck on axle

By the way, that's not the race that's stuck on there, that's part of the bearing. I would be very concerned about where the outer bearing rides on that axle.

The area between where the bearings ride is not important to clean up. Only the areas where the bearings ride.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Race stuck on axle

Fishrdan, you recommended to inspect the axles seal surface. Is that the area right before the race? Is there another area also? Does the area need to be perfectly smooth?

The seal surface is right behind the stuck bearing, further towards the center of the axle, you should see where the seal has been riding. It needs to be perfectly smooth or water will seep in past the imperfections.

 

[Robert95z]

Re: Race stuck on axle

The seal surface is right behind the stuck bearing, further towards the center of the axle, you should see where the seal has been riding. It needs to be perfectly smooth or water will seep in past the imperfections.

The area behind the stuck bearing isnt perfect, but its not that bad.

Everything else in front of the bearing is pretty bad. Cant tell where the seal has been seated.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Race stuck on axle

It has to be perfect! If it isn't, you can use a spindo seal kit or equivalent.

If there was water in there, something wasn't sealing properly.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Race stuck on axle

It did have buddy bearings, but it actually popped off and was sizzling hot.

Did the bearing buddy fall off before you stopped? I don't know much about Dexter Axles (as mentioned by MH Hawker) but I assume it's like an EZ Lube. Others will correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you need or want the bearing buddy with that spindle.

 

[Robert95z]

Re: Race stuck on axle

Did the bearing buddy fall off before you stopped? I don't know much about Dexter Axles (as mentioned by MH Hawker) but I assume it's like an EZ Lube. Others will correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you need or want the bearing buddy with that spindle.

After i noticed the hub smoking and inspected it. I limped home on the shoulder going about 10mph, thats when the buddy bearing popped off. I was less than a mile from home so I kept going slowly.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Race stuck on axle

By the way, that's not the race that's stuck on there, that's part of the bearing.

:suspicious: That's the bearing's inner race, that's stuck on there... :twitch:

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Race stuck on axle

:suspicious: That's the bearing's inner race, that's stuck on there... :twitch:

+1.

The inner race is pressed on when installed. It is NOT supposed to move. Either is the outer Race.
The Area where the Bearing Races seat need only be clean enough to get the races in place.
They are not Bearing Surfaces, they are Bearing Race support surfaces.
They do not need to look pretty to work fine for another million miles.

The Grease Seal Bearing surface can be cleaned up with emery cloth.
Do Not, DO NOT!, accidentally hit it when removing the inner bearing race.
It is a critical surface. The good news is that it is a sealing surface an does not carry any load.
It needs to look pretty!

The surface between the Races does not need to look good at all.

Thats a Dexter axle too, how did it run low on grease.

The bearing buddies were hiding the fact that there was an Easy Lube Axle underneath.
There is No reason to install Bearing Buddies on this axle.

I called Karavan trailers, and I ordered a new hub assembly that will come with all the bearings.

Is there a reason you are replacing the Hubs?
If they are not physically damaged, replacing the bearings would make the axle 100% functional.

 

[Robert95z]

Re: Race stuck on axle

+1.

The inner race is pressed on when installed. It is NOT supposed to move. Either is the outer Race.
The Area where the Bearing Races seat need only be clean enough to get the races in place.
They are not Bearing Surfaces, they are Bearing Race support surfaces.
They do not need to look pretty to work fine for another million miles.

The Grease Seal Bearing surface can be cleaned up with emery cloth.
Do Not, DO NOT!, accidentally hit it when removing the inner bearing race.
It is a critical surface. The good news is that it is a sealing surface an does not carry any load.
It needs to look pretty!

The surface between the Races does not need to look good at all.
View attachment 214037




The bearing buddies were hiding the fact that there was an Easy Lube Axle underneath.
There is No reason to install Bearing Buddies on this axle.



Is there a reason you are replacing the Hubs?
If they are not physically damaged, replacing the bearings would make the axle 100% functional.

Thanks for the picture!

One thing I have noticed is the inner race won't come off, but it spins freely. It just won't slide off the axle. Did it spin on the axle and make a groove? I will cut it off this weekend and update everyone.

And I ordered the entire hub because it came with all the bearings already installed. I was just trying to make it easier on myself.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Race stuck on axle

One thing I have noticed is the inner race won't come off, but it spins freely. It just won't slide off the axle. Did it spin on the axle and make a groove? I will cut it off this weekend and update everyone.

That's a good sign as the bearing is supposed to be a slip-fit, supposed to slide on-off. (Not saying it isn't torn up underneath, but you won't know until the race is removed.) The galling and torn up sections of the axle will keep it from sliding off, so the axle would need to be cleaned up before sliding it off,,,,,, but... I'd still split the race off, as you would have to clean the axle up almost perfect to slide it off, much easier to clean the axle up with the race gone.

 

[limitout]

Re: Race stuck on axle

if you find the new bearing races wiggle up & down or side to side when placed on the spindle then its going to need replacing. you don't need the whole axle because you can just replace the spindle itself but you will need a welder to cut the old one off and weld the new one on. sometimes people just replace the whole axle because its easier then doing all that.

you better have a good look and clean up those spring bolts, they look pretty rusty. if the threads are gone cut it off and replace it, if not then clean them up now and spray on some cold galvanizing before they cause problems later.

also because those are greasable spindles you need to remove the grease zerk and clean out the passages to make sure there is no junk in there blocking it up or metal shavings in there.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Race stuck on axle

I'd use Dremel with a abrasive cutoff wheel to cut a groove into the race,,, almost all the way through on both sides. Then place a chisel in the groove, smack it with a hammer, and it should break the halves apart.

It looks like the old bearing fragments tore up the axle to some extent, which will need to be filed and evened out with a file. (This is the part Bond-o was talking about, slow and easy, just take off the high spots.)

Carefully inspect the axle's seal surface, to make sure it's smooth and not gouged up, pitted or scratched. If it's not perfect, put a Speedi-sleeve on it to get a good seal surface back again. (Oh yeah, don't damage the seal surface while working on the axle, probably best to wrap it 5-10 layers of tape.)

The "cut a groove in it and smack it with a sharp chissel" is the correct way to do it. Usually only needs to have one slice in it. Have removed hundreds of them that way in a motor rewind shop I worked at. No torch needed, just take it nice and easy to do it right. Be sure to clean up the axle shaft afterwards to make sure the new race slides on and off nice and smooth. Fine file and emory cloth works wonders.

 

[Robert95z]

Re: Race stuck on axle

if you find the new bearing races wiggle up & down or side to side when placed on the spindle then its going to need replacing. you don't need the whole axle because you can just replace the spindle itself but you will need a welder to cut the old one off and weld the new one on. sometimes people just replace the whole axle because its easier then doing all that.

you better have a good look and clean up those spring bolts, they look pretty rusty. if the threads are gone cut it off and replace it, if not then clean them up now and spray on some cold galvanizing before they cause problems later.

also because those are greasable spindles you need to remove the grease zerk and clean out the passages to make sure there is no junk in there blocking it up or metal shavings in there.

Thanks for the zerk tip.. I'll see if I can clean them out...

Id love to just replace the spindle, but I dont have a welder, and the parts from karavan are full axle assemblies. The axle is another $143, and like you said I'll need to replace all the ubolts and nuts since theyre rusted badly.

I also need to get this fixed sooner than later lol. This is sitting in my drive way and its just a matter of time before I get a letter from the HOA.