Spindle replacement

[jaredpointer]

I had a bearing go bad on my trailer last night. I am pretty sure I am going to have to replace the spindle, but I am not quite sure if I can just buy a spindle and have a weld shop put it on or if I need to buy a whole axle assembly.

The trailer is an EZ Loader and the axle is a Reliable Rubber Torsion axle. Attached are some pics of the side of the trailer where the wheel fell off. Any help on this will be appreciated.

If this is not too hard of a fix, I may replace both sides at the same time, as I bought the boat and trailer used and don't want this to happen again. I have not yet pulled the other hub off to look at the bearings, spindle, etc.

[jaredpointer]

Upon further inspection (I removed the unaffected wheel & hub) it looks as if the racer (I believe it is called) came apart from the hub. The piece that inserts into the backside of the hub that sits against the axle closest to the inside of the trailer. It looks like it may have worn the raised section on the spindle a little bit, but from toying with the good hub, it looks like I could replace the hub assembly and be in good shape. Please let me know thoughts on this. Sorry if the nomenclature is not correct, I am not familiar with axles. :)

I did a search on spindle replacement, and saw where someone mentioned a sleeve that may fit onto the affected spindle and then I could put the replacement hub and bearings on top of it. IS this a good idea (or even possible in my situation)?

[tcesni]

Is this a single axle trailer? If so, you may find it easier to replace the axle. Its not difficult and you can find most any axle at 'www.easternmarine.com'. You can also replace just the spindle if you can find a welding shop that knows what they are doing and if they know where to get the proper replacement spindle.

I have done both and found replacing the axle the easier way to go but my trailer doesn't have brakes, simplifying the job. Good luck, that spindle with the heat welded bearing race looked familiar.

[Lyn O. Dyer]

bummer, with a "Reliable" torsion axle, you have to replace the entire axle.

[jaredpointer]

How does one go about replacing the axle? Is it a welding job as well, or is it attached some other way? Also, when we are referring to the axle am I correct in thinking it's the spindle and the portion that looks like a "swing arm"?

Thanks for the help friends!!

ALSO: This is a single axle trailer, and even though I have the flanges, there are no trailer brakes.

[tcesni]

Usually the axle is attached to the trailer with a pair of U-bolts at each leaf spring. If you jack up the trailer and place it on jack stands you should be able to remove the nuts from the U-bolts and lower the axle to the ground.

[jaredpointer]

The axle is welded everywhere it's attached to the trailer.

Upon even further inspection, there was a "spindle saver/sleeve" that took the damage of the accident. I had a couple of different people look at it with me, and the plan of action is to put a new spindle sleeve on the spindle, file down and sand the one groove where the outer bearing sits, and put new bearings, etc on both sides.

We took the hub assembly from the good side and put it on the side that had problems and checked for any play in the hub. There was none, so that is the plan going forward.

[Lyn O. Dyer]

YOU'LL NEED TO CUT OFF THE AXLE BRACKETS FROM THE FRAME RAILS AND INSTALL A NEW TORSION AXLE WITH NEW FRAME RAIL,BRACKETS......CALL DENNIS AT OUR TNN PLANT AT 800-835-9211 EXT.16, HE CAN HELP YOU....