Single axle trailer hub missing spindle "wear sleeve"?

[DunbarLtd]

I am replacing the hubs on my single axle trailer that i use to pull a 17ft fiberglass boat. I noticed last time out the starboard side rim had black grease flung all around the inside. So when i had the time i took off the rim and hub and removed the seal and bearings and I noticed the inside bearing was rusted and ready to explode. It was mangled pretty good. I only have a 20 minute ride to the lake but still i feel lucky i didnt get stranded.

So i do some more inspecting and after i removed the hub on the port side (Which did not leak at all) i realized why the starboard side hub had been leaking. There appears to be whats called a "wear sleeve"(after much googling) on the spindle where the grease seal rides.

Well on the starboard side, where the leak was, this sleeve is missing. I took a picture to help people understand what part I am referring to. You can see the O-ring on there as well.

The grease seal it takes is a TCM 13194 seal. ID = 1.37" OD = 1.98"

The bearing used is a L44649 I believe the size is 1 /16" spindle but i could be wrong. I need to go buy a caliper to make sure. But I do know those were the old bearing numbers. Just dont know the spindle size.

My problem is I absolutely have no idea where to find the "wear sleeve". Nothing is popping up on google. Ive called tractor supply houses. Nobody knows what the heck i mean. Maybe there is another word for it and I just dont know.

Hopefully someone is familiar with this part and may recognize it. Thanks for any help!

 

[GA_Boater]

It's called a Speedi Sleeve.

But I see another problem;



The inner bearing race is still on the spindle. That needs to be removed.

 

[DunbarLtd]

Wait so the seal rides up that higher spot? Thanks for clarifying what im looking at but now i dont understand where the seal actually rides?

 

[DunbarLtd]

Ok so i went back in the garage just now and it pulled right off with ease actually. Here is a picture and a good bearing. I can not find the old one. I do not think that is the bearing race. Doesnt look anything like it.

 

[DunbarLtd]

The other side of the "sleeve".

 

[DunbarLtd]

I found THIS. Is this what I need?

 

[DunbarLtd]

Also there is this i found but still not sure.

 

[GA_Boater]

Yes, the part I pointed to is the inner bearing race. It rides on the spindle and the roller bearings are captured by it. The hub has the removable race.

The seal is between the inner bearing and the outside of the hub. The Speedi Sleeve is short, not a long tube and fits on the most largest diameter part of the spindle. Just about where 8 is pointing to and the drop to the next smaller section of the spindle.

 

[DunbarLtd]

I assure you that is not the bearing race. The bearing race is still inside the old hub.

Also I tried to fit the oil seal over and its a perfect fit so this leads me to believe it is some sort of speedi sleeve. The inside is reinforced with a thick round metal ring. I am not sure how the other side went missing but it is not inside that hub. It is possible it was pulled off with the hub last time i changed bearings and seals but IIRC that side always leaked from the day i bought it so Im thinking it had been missing since previous owner. The port side never leaked, even after i changed the seals and bearings the first time. I just figured they were old and needed replacing so i did both sides at that time.

 

[GA_Boater]

The bearing came apart. It is the race, believe it not.

 

[dingbat]

What make is your trailer?

 

[GA_Boater]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapered_roller_bearing

Two races or raceways - One is the inner part that fits on the spindle and the other is in the hub. Your bearing disintegrated leaving the inner race on the spindle.

 

[DunbarLtd]

That step where it looks like the seal rides on is too small for the seal. I used the same number printed on the old seals for the new ones so i know for sure they are the right size.

The seal wobbles when i tried to fit it on. Its clearly too large to fit on there. That "sleeve" Im calling it slides over that step on the spindle and when its on there the seal slides over it and fits perfectly. I still cant believe its the bearing race. But If you say so.

 

[DunbarLtd]

What make is your trailer?

It is an old Escort from the late 80s. I bought an old bayliner that i turned into a fishing boat. Single axle i think 2500lb but not sure. The stamping on the sticker has apparently been sun baked and none of the info on it is readable like weight and so on. But the ESCORT sticker is still on and visible.

 

[harringtondav]

Go with GA on this one. Trailer hubs are the same as non-powered auto hubs. The tapered races press into the inside (#3) and outside (#5) of the hub. Then insert the inner tapered cone (#2). Pack the cones with wheel bearing grease before inserting, and pack the space between the bearings with grease. Then press in the grease seal (#1). The hub assembly slips on the spindle. Insert the outside cone (#4), flat washer (probably with locking tab), and the nut.

Install the wheel. Rotate the tire CW while tightening the nut till fairly snug. Back off the nut and retighten to resistance, then back off very slightly. Place the lock cap over the nut and position it until the cotter key passes. Favor tightening the nut if the lock cap doesn't quite line up with the cotter key.

Bearing Buddies are the only way to go in my mind vs. the stamped covers (#7). If your trailer has greasable covers, grease them often. Water entry probably trashed your bearing.

Also, I've never seen a grease seal wear sleeve on a trailer spindle. Possible, but unlikely.

 

[DunbarLtd]

I think I just found out what this part is. To me it looks like the inner parts of this grease seal. The part in the picture i provided earlier on the green towel has that same broken metal ring you see on the seal in this picture. This Seal also comes with a separate O-ring. I could be wrong though.

 

[DunbarLtd]

I know how to replace hubs. Ive done it many times. This is just something different I havent seen. I have had bearing buddies on since day 1. harringtondav look at that recent picture i posted and see if you can see the remeblence to the picture i posted higher up in the thread. They look identical to me.

 

[DunbarLtd]

And Here is the correct size for my Spindle 1.98" I beilieve this is what the previous owner put on. But maybe someone else can help me crack the case here. I think Im on to something.

 

[DunbarLtd]

Hope this helps as well to see what im dealing with. Im convinced part #1 and #2 are the part I found on my spindle.

 

[joeanna]

I replaced my trailer axle last year, the axle I installed also included seal wear sleeves that had to be installed on the axle, I haven't checked where to buy them yet.