How To: Replace your trailer axle seal

[bergermaister]

One other tip if you are not familiar with doing brake jobs and this is your first- use a big C-clamp to compress the piston down on/into the caliper before reloading your new, thicker pads. It will open it up enough that it will go over the rotor much easier than fighting it on.

[ninedriver]

Awesome write up, congrats on the sticky, and thanks for mention!

A couple follow up questions:

When reapplying the grease, how much do you put in? In addition to packing the bearings, do you fill the void around the spindle between the bearings and fill the vault cap? Can you put in too much grease?

Also, how tight should you make the spindle nut when putting everything back together?

Thanks again and great job!

[Cigars n scotch]

Awesome write up, congrats on the sticky, and thanks for mention!

A couple follow up questions:

When reapplying the grease, how much do you put in? In addition to packing the bearings, do you fill the void around the spindle between the bearings and fill the vault cap? Can you put in too much grease?

Also, how tight should you make the spindle nut when putting everything back together?

Thanks again and great job!

Just pack it in there good. Fill it all. I didn't tighten the spindle nut much, just snug, as that is what it was when I removed it and I believe is the way it should be. I almost used a tube repacking all 4 hubs.

[rdlangston13]

Just pack it in there good. Fill it all. I didn't tighten the spindle nut much, just snug, as that is what it was when I removed it and I believe is the way it should be. I almost used a tube repacking all 4 hubs.

When tightening the spindle nut I install a tire to make it easier to turn. I spin the wheel and crack the nut tight with channel lock pliers and the back it off half a turn. I repeat this 3 or 4 times and then I tighten
It down, then back it off about a quarter to one third turn. You don't want it all the way tight because then there is no room for heat expansion. Also just pack everything with as much grease as possible. I always fill the hub before I slide it on the spindle to ensure there is grease all in there and then fill that vault cap up about 3/4 full


Sent from my iPhone

[jzelt]

I agree, I tighten the nut with channel locks till it is pretty tight, back it off a ways, then hand tighten to where the cotter pin will go thru.