replacing bearings

[amishboy]

Dust cover fell off the trailer at some point, grease flung out and bearings burnt out. Trying to replace. The flange at the end of the spindle seems like it is attached to the spindle. Could this just be rusted on? The hub will not go on the spindle with the bearings installed because of this flange. It does not seem to want to budge.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: replacing bearings

The things you are calling flange's are the old inner bearing races. heat them up and then you may have to chizel them off, but they both must come off.

You may be able to cut them off with a grinder and cut off wheel but be carefull.

*****dont damage the spindle doing it*******

 

[j_martin]

Re: replacing bearings

The things you are calling flange's are the old inner bearing races. heat them up and then you may have to chizel them off, but they both must come off.

You may be able to cut them off with a grinder and cut off wheel but be carefull.

*****dont damage the spindle doing it*******

A chisel won't touch em, and if you hit it, it may shatter and could be very dangerous to your eyes.

Best bet would be to use a cut off wheel and grind a groove mostly through to the spindle, then pop it with a chisel in the slot you just made.

If it were in my shop, I'd grab the arc welder, make a puddle on it and tap it off while it was hot.

hope it helps
john

 

[amishboy]

Re: replacing bearings

I'm off for a cut-off wheel... Heated it up and yep, frozen tight. I hope I can find replacements as I am running out of weekend... Thanks for the help.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: replacing bearings

A chisel won't touch em, and if you hit it, it may shatter and could be very dangerous to your eyes.
john

First, the chizel is not to break or cut them, its to give something to hit to drive them off.
I have done it many times with great success.

Second, I have two words for you. Safety Glasses...
If you have lived this long you must have some measure of common sense...

 

[amishboy]

Re: replacing bearings

The bearings I bought come with a race which is just a thin housing on the narrow side of the bearing. Is this supposed to be a replacement for what I'm trying to knock off?

 

[woosterken]

Re: replacing bearings

no , the race gose in the hub front and back, the bearings ride in them.
what you are trying to knock off is the center of the old bearing.

woosterken

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: replacing bearings

no , the race gose in the hub front and back, the bearings ride in them.
what you are trying to knock off is the center of the old bearing.

woosterken

Agreed...and that spindle will need some major cleaning in order for the new bearings to slide down.

From that picture, I am not sure if I would have the patience to restore the spindle to it's original diameter.

Good luck...and Happy Boating!

 

[amishboy]

Re: replacing bearings

I think I am losing my mind. The part I am trying to break off seems like cast iron just like the spindle but maybe they are not. Attached is a picture of the replacement bearings I bought. 1" for a 2k lb trailer axle. Inner & outer. Definately not cast. Is this the correct replacement? The person I just bought the boat from said he had replaced the bearings. Maybe that's not true.

 

[woosterken]

Re: replacing bearings

ok , the ring on the left (in you picture) is the race it gets seated in the hub.
the silver ring in the center of the bearing, is what is stuck on the spindle. it looks and feels like cast, because it has been heat treated (LOL) and pretty close to being welded to the spindle.
you want to be VERY VERY CAREFUL getting it off , if you mess up the spindle you are in BIG trouble

woosterken

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: replacing bearings

I think I am losing my mind. The part I am trying to break off seems like cast iron just like the spindle but maybe they are not. Attached is a picture of the replacement bearings I bought. 1" for a 2k lb trailer axle. Inner & outer. Definately not cast. Is this the correct replacement? The person I just bought the boat from said he had replaced the bearings. Maybe that's not true.

Trust me they are not cast iron, or part of your spindle.

They have seen intense heat and annealed to the shaft.

Your spindle can only work when it is smooth and round, without ANY protrusions. Remember that you have to slide your new bearings down the spindle with the hub.

If you are prepared to 'cut' the remains of the bearings off...and return the spindle back to it's smooth roundness the same as the inside diameter of your new bearings...you will be fine.

If this were my axle, I would be bolting a new one into place.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: replacing bearings

 

[amishboy]

Re: replacing bearings

I see now what you mean as I just got the old bearings off. I used a cutting wheel to go in about 1/2 way on 2 sides which gave me notches to put the chisel in to start them rotating until they loosened up enough to come off. I used light emory paper to smooth out the spindle and I think it will be ok for now.
This is kind of a project, but we want to be able to use the boat while I work on it. Floor is done, next is new seats. Motor is in great shape. Winter project is to replace lights (with led), wiring and now spindles on the trailer. Some of the wiring in the upper unit also needs replaced as it has electrical tape covering some of the worn insulation. 1973 fibreglass Rinker with a 65 hp Mercury. Thanks again for all your help

 

[amishboy]

Re: replacing bearings

When you say "return the spindle to it's original diameter," I guess you are assuming I will not be able to get the new bearings on? If so, you are correct. How would I return the spindle to it's original diameter or am I going to have to find a new one???

 

[amishboy]

Re: replacing bearings

...and I've got a boat on a trailer with one wheel, sitting 1/2 in 1/2 out of my garage. Frustration level is almost to "time to sell," again.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: replacing bearings

When you say "return the spindle to it's original diameter," I guess you are assuming I will not be able to get the new bearings on? If so, you are correct. How would I return the spindle to it's original diameter or am I going to have to find a new one???

Keep in mind that when the spindle was new, bearings were a snug fit for obvious reasons. Your spindles have years of corrosion that will have to come off to make this happen.

First check and make sure that you have the proper replacements...compare the piece that you just removed with the inside diameter of your new ones.

If correct...here is what I would do: get you hands on a small angle grinder tool, one that will use a rubber pad and grinding discs (like sandpaper). Pick a fine grit such as 100 or 120, and work around the shaft. Protect the threads by putting the axle nut back on.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: replacing bearings

This is the size grinder to look for--4.5":

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1375A-2-Inch-Angle-Grinder/dp/B00004SUOU

Here are the brown colored grinding discs: http://www.boschtools.com/products/accessories/pages/boschproductcategory.aspx?catid=149

 

[amishboy]

Re: replacing bearings

Coincidently I just bought a 4.5" grinder to cut off the old bearings. I may try this tomorrow. In hindsight, I have spent well over $50 on a bearing kit, dust caps, and grinder. I could have ordered a hub w/packed bearings and spindle for under $40 from Trailer Parts Depot.com and installed in less than an hour.

However, I am still hoping to be on the water tomorrow and that is what it is all about.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[j_martin]

Re: replacing bearings

First, the chizel is not to break or cut them, its to give something to hit to drive them off.
I have done it many times with great success.

Second, I have two words for you. Safety Glasses...
If you have lived this long you must have some measure of common sense...

First, why wreck a chisel, use a pin punch

Second, duh, of course. It's still dangerous to your eyes, even with safety glasses.

 

[j_martin]

Re: replacing bearings

Coincidently I just bought a 4.5" grinder to cut off the old bearings. I may try this tomorrow. In hindsight, I have spent well over $50 on a bearing kit, dust caps, and grinder. I could have ordered a hub w/packed bearings and spindle for under $40 from Trailer Parts Depot.com and installed in less than an hour.

However, I am still hoping to be on the water tomorrow and that is what it is all about.

Thanks again for your help.

You still would have to get that part off and the shaft cleaned up to use the packaged hub, so you would still need the grinder.

BTW, I would not go after a bearing shaft with a palm grinder. It probably just needs shining up with a strip of emery cloth, by hand, like a shoe shine.

That bearing was run till it was red hot from lack of grease. If the former owner put new bearings in, he didn't pack them in grease.

hope it helps
John