#Trailer spindle free

Round stub axles are commonly welded into square hollow section (SHS) and 2' x 2' x 1/4' are suitable.įinding a suitable axle material for 2 1/4' round and square axles is a bit more difficult and most people use this size stub axle in a stepped/overlay setup on top of 2 1/2' x 2 1/2' x 1/4' SHS or heavier. The cut to length pipe will need to be sent to a machine shop to be internally bored out to suit the axle, but in doing so hugely reduces the time setting up the axles for true running.ġ 3/4' heavy ERW pipe can also be used although there will be clearance around the stub that will need to be equalized to ensure the axle is central – see axle building methods detail below The overall diameter is 1.90' with a wall thickness of around 0.2'. Axle Tube Material Straight Beam Axlesįor 1 3/4' (1.75') round axles, you cannot go past a good piece of 1 1/2' Schedule 80 line pipe. If you are welding your own axles, finding a suitable axle tube or receptacle to contain the stub axles without compromising strength and accuracy can be tricky.

Spindle back end diameters/width (round & square) for standard trailers range from 1 3/4' (3500 lb), up to 2 1/4' (5200 lb). Along with your bearings, check the quality of the spindle steel and if the supplier can’t tell you what grade it is, go elsewhere. High tensile steels are not ideal for spindles as they do not have the flexibility to handle the stresses placed on a trailer. Spindle steel varies from low grade mild steel to a higher grade medium tensile steel like AISI 1045 and come in both solid round & square. Double or triple lipped seals need to be fitted at a minimum.

The same goes for seals - preventing water and dust getting in, and keeping the grease from getting out of the hubs and bearings is a priority to prevent bearing failure. Stay away from bearings without a manufacturers stamp or markings. Look for quality branded bearings to suit - Timken, SKF & NTN, NSK, Koyo, INA, & FAG are among the better manufacturers and are normally European or Japanese made.

#Trailer spindle free

Hubs and spindles are subjected to the extremes of the road conditions, overloaded trailers, water, dust and everything else flung up from the road so getting the best quality hub /spindle set you can afford should give you a long and trouble free trailering experience. Most suppliers will have their own branded hubs and spindles and will have a designated load rating. Selecting the right kind of hub and spindle for your trailers gross loaded weight is relatively straight forward although care needs to be taken to get the best possible quality for all the components from the spindle steel type, and quality cast hubs, through to branded bearings, marine grade seals and quality wheels lugs and nuts. If you have any doubts about your skills, leave axle building to the professionals, poorly built and poorly welded axles can cause accidents and kill people. Good weld penetration with no porosity or undercut is required to ensure the strength and integrity of the axle is not compromised. NOTE - Building your own axles should only be undertaken by a skilled and proficient welder equipped with a heavy duty, industrial strength welding machine.