FAQ: Axle Components
FAQ provides basic trailer parts information for the DIYer or for the business owner. For more information, please call Redneck Trailer Supplies toll free at (877) 973-3632.
The most likely cause for a leaking seal is improper installation, contamination, or damage to the spindle or hub. The very best quality seal can leak if it is improperly installed, contaminated prior to installation, or if there is damage to its mating surface.
A standard lip seal is a one-piece seal generally used in grease-lubricated axles. An oil bath seal is a multi-piece/unitized seal generally used for oil-lubricated axles.
Grease hubs are generally used in trailers that will sit for long periods of time without use. Oil lubrication is best suited for trailers that will be used on a regular basis.
Yes. Before installation, the rubber seal lips and axle spindle shaft should be pre-coated with a layer of grease across the surface to ensure the seal lip does not run dry. Make sure the seal OD and hub bore are free from contamination and lubricants to ensure retention of seal in hub. Lubricating the shaft is not necessary or desired for unitized oil bath seals.
Prior to installation, inspect all mating components to ensure they are free from defects, nicks, and burrs that could damage the new seal. It is critical that the seal is aligned properly and the seal lip is not damaged when installing onto the shaft.
The seal lip should be adequately lubricated to prevent a dry-running condition. Lubrication of the seal lip can best be accomplished by lightly wiping grease onto the seal lip surface.
The coating is a DuPont Vamac®-based elastomeric coating. It is designed to help seal any minor inconsistencies in the hub’s bore.
A trailer axle seal generally has two lips: a primary spring-loaded lip and a dust lip. The primary lip is usually positioned towards the grease or oil to be sealed (internal to the axle) and prevents grease and oil from escaping.
The dust lip prevents environmental contamination from contacting and damaging the primary lip. The spring provides consistent radial tension on the seal lip to help maintain seal/shaft contact when the hub/axle is rotating.
Metal components including the seal case and spring are generally made from carbon steel, but stainless steel can also be used.
Nitrile rubber (NBR) is the most common type of rubber used in seals. NBR provides outstanding grease and oil resistance and its operating temperature range of -40F to 212F make it the ideal choice for axle applications.
Seals are defined by three dimensions: the shaft and bore diameter, and the seal width. (Seal ID x OD x width)
One of the very best ways to get the correct seal is to provide any number(s) that may be listed on your old seal. If your seal doesn’t have a number or the number is worn or damaged, consult with your trailer dealer or Redneck location and they will help you identify your actual shaft and bore dimensions and make sure you get the correct seal.
Some of the older mobile home axles can be upgraded to either 6 or 8 bolt hubs, depending on the existing mobile home hub’s bearing combination.
Please determine inner and outer bearing numbers (these universal numbers are etched into the bearing), looking for #25580 inner and LM67048 or 15123 outer. If these are the numbers on your bearings, you have the option to upgrade the hubs to accommodate regular-style wheels. Newer mobile home axles cannot be upgraded.
Typical trailer hub dust caps are formed of light gauge steel, and over-repeated installations become “loose” as the portion of the dust cap lip that fits into the hub is compressed, slightly reducing its overall diameter. In addition, the hub opening itself may wear, making the fit looser still.
Consider the following tips when reinstalling dust caps on your trailer hubs:
Ensure that the hub bore where the cap fits is completely free of grease/oils, increasing the friction/grip of the hub.
Likewise to the dust cap, ensure that the part of the cap fitting into the hub is also clean of grease/oils.
Application of a light film of gasket sealer (aka Permatex, etc.) to the lip of the dust cap before installation will serve as a “glue” to assist in bonding the cap to the hub until next time you WANT the dust cap to come off.
Another installation tip is to turn the dust cap on its side and lightly “tap” the side with a hammer to slightly “oval” the dust cap, ensuring that the dust cap lip and hub bore come in firm contact with each other upon cap installation.
If the above suggestions do not work for you, replace dust caps with new ones for a tighter, like-new fit.
The hub will have to be removed and bearings removed for physical identification. Bearings will have specific numbers etched into the side of the bearing center. These numbers are universal; all tapered roller bearing manufacturers use the same numbering system for bearing and race components.
We will need to know the inner and outer bearing numbers in the hub. We’ll also need to know the number of wheel studs in the hub and a couple other measurements. Having the hub and a ruler handy when you call will greatly help speed up the process of finding the right hub for your needs.
