Trailer repair (hubs won't budge)

Do you mean the thread is smaller than the axle shaft and this makes the axle shaft look as though it's just the same width threaded part with a washer on it? The axle will almost certainly be wider than the threaded part. Maybe the bearing is rusted onto the axle and just needs a good puller. Are you using pullers? BTW, is the bearing a taper roller type or a ball type?

Rob Graham

No the thread is the same size as the shaft. Its hard to explain. I'll try again - I took the 'nut off & the washer', but there appears to be a shim attached to the 'inner' thread against the bearing which is about the same size as the washer I've removed. It could be that its part of the bearing but I'm confused.

I'd envisage it is a tapered bearing because the nut was nipped up with a split pin through it.

I don't have a puller, but even if I did I would be wary using it, as this shim thing appears to be part of the thread. If you can imagine a flat washer, its round they slide on the threaded shaft, well this one appears to be welded to the thread.

Bill

S'not a braked trailer is it? If so could be the shoes are catching on a ridge in the hub.

The message from "Bill" contains these words:

Can you borrow a digital camera?

Are you sure? I would expect the shaft to be say 1" and the threaded part to be say 1/2". It this were the case and you can't see the join between the bearing and the shaft (because of rust, say) it might appear that there was a washer but actually there isn't. So you'd be seeing the end of the shaft before the threads started and the inner bearing race and it would appear to be all one piece.

I've never ever seen an axle shaft with the threaded bit the same diameter. The job the nut has to do will always be less than the job the axle has to do.

It's got to come off with a sufficient tug! However, you may have a problem trying to get a puller to locate on something. I suggest two small crowbars, one opposite the other on the back of the wheel. If you only use one, the off-centre pressure may cause the bearing to bind.

Rob

I aren't finishing the job now till next week and then I have to be able to finish the job, I wish I had had my camera with me last week.

Bill

From what I could see (cos I built it back up til next week) I presume it to be a tapered bearing/race so I'd envisage the shaft to be tapered so it will start the same size as the thread, but be a bigger diameter as in progress to the backplate. Theres definately no rust. After Ive took off the nut and washer (looking down the thread) it looks like the bearing as been inserted, and then a shim overlayed to stop the bearing sliding off, normally when Ive done rear brakes in the past the washer and nut is enough to lock this in place.

Bill

Yes I'm trying to check the rear brakes, ive adjusted the handbrake off. I presume it to have tapered bearings which should fallout but won't.

Bill

Got the hubs off, had to use a big puller thanks guys.

Bill