BPFox wrote:So why exaxtly do you want to replace the hubs? Why not just replace the bearings? From your pictures it appears to me that the bearings are newer than the hubs which means they must be replaceable. In fact they look pretty new which makes me wonder, once again, why you want to replace them at all.
?? I don't think you're seeing it right. The bearings arent visible in the picture, what you see in the upper right portion of the picture is a backing plate that is machine pressed on. Of course "everything comes apart" but I would have to use a gas axe to do it and then of course I wouldn't be able to re asemble them...
BPFox wrote: If the grease does not smell burnt and there is no aprreciable play in the hub, I can't see why there would be a problem. As long as bearings are greased and adjusted they last a very long time. I have an equipment trailer that is over 9 years old and has well over 100.000 miles on it and it still has the original wheel bearings. I use it every day with complete confidence.
The guy I bought the dolly from found it on his "back 40" completely obscured under a huge hedge of ivy and brambles. It had been there for a long - long time, from the rust and the condition of the tires I'd say 10 years at least. Not exactly optimal conditions...
BPFox wrote:That said, if you still feel the need to replace them, I would go down to your local bearing supply house and see what they can do to help. The numbers you have listed will help them identify the parts you need. Why cobble something up from junk yard parts when the supply house could very well have the exact parts you need.
All things considered, I do think that a bit of preventive maintenance is in order and if I could "cobble" a set of bolt on spindles that I could put new bearings on I think it would be a good thing. Finding something with a matching bolt pattern is unlikely and lead me to the Demco replacement hubs. The $150 pricetag on them convinced me to give the current hubs a chance though. I've torn everything down, scraped and wire wheeled all the rust, gave it a couple of coats of rust converter and rewired the whole thing. The new tires should be here in a few days, after I get them on I'll take it out for a 20-30 mile test run and see if the bearings heat up.
BPFox wrote:I would think the bigger poblem here is using this axle for a tear drop trailer. On the car dollies I have used there is no suspension. That works fine for towing cars because the car has a suspension to the trailer doesn't really need one. They do tend to bounce all over the plaace when empty, however, and that is what it will be like if you try to build a teardrop out of one of them. If the one you have does have springs it's no problem. Many of the ones I have seen don't and that would be a huge problem for your build. Hope this helps. Peace.
After working through everything I came to the same conclusion, aside from the fact that it would shake the hell out of the trailer, it's really heavy. Once this trip is concluded I'll sell the dolly and start looking for a suitable cantidate.
Thanks all for your input, more to follow...
Adversity builds character.