Boat trailer axle with complete removable hub / square bolt on flange assembly?
Submitted by scano on Tue, 2013-10-22 21:10
Hi all,
i remember seeing a while while ago at one of the boat shows a completely removable trailer hub assembly. By this I mean that the square axle was bolted to the springs as per normal, and then between the springs and the actuall hub there was a square flange plate assembly. So should you manage to cook a bearing it is a case of simply removing 4 major bolts that bolt the 2x square flange assemblies together and then bolting up another complete hub ready to go.
i am chasing the info on who actually makes these and if anyone has any feedback on the good and bad points of them.
any info greatly appreciated
scano
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davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Quite common
In the car industry. Holden have had it on their front wheels of the commodore for the last ten years. The up side is they are easy to replace, and last quite a bit longer than normal bearings however, the downside is the cost. I am sure a visit to trailerparts would source them or where to get hold of them.
Wherever you go, there you are
firemanstan370
Posts: 6
Date Joined: 24/05/13
An Alternative?
You could also look at bolting a stub axle complete with hub/bearings/seals and even a spare rim and tyre to the draw bar of your trailer with a couple of extra "U" bolts and a fish plate. About $30 for a standard stub axle.
To replace a "cooked" bearing simply pop off the axle dust cover/bearing buddy remove 1 split pin and castle nut. The whole old hub will come off hub/rim/tyre and can be replaced. (quicker than changing just a tyre) I wouldn't like to be under a loaded trailer undoing bolts and nuts while resting on a jack/prop on the side of the road. Plus there is also prevention of corrosion in the joining nuts/bolts and axle joint.
You will need to look into the legalities of a 2or3 piece axle. As far as I know in WA the axle must be one piece from hub to hub.
There are exemptions of course with new independant suspensions or stepped axles.
Good luck
Steve.