Size of the bearing nut for Dexter Axle?

[routlaw]

It's probably been covered or mentioned before but I can't seem to find the size of the bearing nut for the 3500lb Dexter Axles. An online search seems to return everything from 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch nut but all 14 thread. Would like to know before delving into the bearing change assuming it doesn't start raining. Thanks

[SteveCr]

Hello routlaw,

2021 LE 2 #806 definitely requires a 1 1/2" socket.

Your vintage axle hub nut may be different...why you may see different answers.

The good news is that to verify you just need to remove the wheel and pop off the hub dust cap....10 mins or less.

[rideandfly]

Think it's a 1"-14 castle nut, our local store is closed, so I could not call them.

Very common item at trailer stores, ask for a Dexter 3.5K spindle nut.

This link is from my local Dexter dealer.

http://shop.redneck-trailer.com/p-3214-1in-14-castle-nutspindle-nut-165686.aspx

 

[MAX Burner]

@routlaw:  After inspecting my inner/outer bearings last month, I found they all were serviceable.  So it was more of a maintenance/clean-up drill.  The only parts needing replacement were the beat up grease caps - of which, the replacements I found on Amazon for less than $20.  The castle nuts were in fine shape as were the clips that hold them from loosening.  

Reading your post, I've decided to buy spare nuts for my running gear kit, just in case one is lost (while repairing a bearing failure) or damaged for some reason during a road trip.  I keep an axle set of pre-packed Timken's, races, and race tool in our RG kit, JIC.  But the castle nut with extra clips would complete the kit.  

Thanks for your post...  Have fun, hope it doesn't rain!

Cheers!

[topgun2]

Looking good!

Sure is a big improvement from the first pic you posted of those drums and running gear.  Nice job.

Bill

[routlaw]

Yesterday turned out to be an unmitigated disaster, but thanks for the feedback.

Decided to just jump into it after making the post, easy to determine my spindle castle nut to be 1.5 inches. Hub assembly came off easily, all good so far. Got the seal, bearings and races out no problem. As it turns out on the first wheel bearings and races looked brand new even after 25K + miles. Next up new bearings, but whoa they are far too small, seal, races and bearings, all of them. WTH! Part numbers looked good on the boxes. Turns out I must have oddball drums either that or 6000 lb axels. If you look at the Dexter website there are no 5000 lb axels listed. Cutting to the chase the seal that came out of the first drum is 3 3/8ths diameter and of course the bearings are huge by comparison to the Set 17 bearings.

At this point I had no other choice but to repack existing bearings, re-install old races and try to track down a new seal. Luckily I was able to find one and one only within the entire town. Installation went fine with old set and new seal, just before it started raining, whew! But now what? 

Neither my wife or I recall anyone saying anything about installing the larger axles at delivery, but that was over 8 years ago. Weird to say the least. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

[CRM]

39 minutes ago, routlaw said:

At this point I had no other choice but to repack existing bearings, re-install old races and try to track down a new seal. Luckily I was able to find one and one only within the entire town. Installation went fine with old set and new seal, just before it started raining, whew! But now what? 

 

I went through this myself a while back.. Check how many bolts you have on the axle flange. If 5 bolts it's a 5200lb axle. while 4 bolts is 3500lb.

 

[routlaw]

Well unfortunately the entire thing is put back together so if I understand what you refer to as axle flange I would have to start all over by taking the entire enchilada apart again. Didn't pay much attention to that part just too busy dealing with other things. Trying to do a search for the correct beating parts but man is this a deep dive. Thanks

 

[Galway Girl]

Blast those modifications that the factory makes at times.
Sorry to hear that you found out the bearings were wrong.  
That's a nightmare.
Guess the silver lining is that your trailer has heavy duty parts.

 

\\\\  For those with 3500lb axles read on ////

A way to save time (and $ over timken) on standard 3500# axles.

Dexter (and eTrailer) both sell complete pre-greased hubs with new bearings / seals and caps for many of the dexter hubs for about $95 each. When compared to new timken bearings and seals this is a pretty good value.

https://www.dexteraxle.com/results/184/pre-greased-hubs

I found this out after I spent several hundred dollars for 4 sets of genuine timken bearings, races and seals.

The Dexter Pre-greased-hub likely has the Chinese bearings that come from the dexter factory.
That said, you would be amazed at how fast it makes the service, when you have all the parts pre greased and pre-installed capped off ready for installation.

Again...this may not work for your particular Oliver trailer, as hubs and axles are known to have been swapped a bit by Oliver in the manufacturing process.

One sure way is to check the label on the axle and then confirm parts with Dexter online.

Here's the label for our 3500# axles on Hull 505 made in 2019.

    Size of Hub and depth   4 (backing bolts)  RACES          DEXTER BEARING        TIMKEN BEARING/RACE       Applies TO:

 

Timken Parts needed for each end of each axle. 
4 each are needed to do the trailer.

Item QTY PN

Timken seal,       4      473336……or you can use a National seal....Or SKF 17144

Timken Set 17.     4      L68111 (inner race cup) and L68149 for the inner bearing (Cone)

Timken Set 4,      4       L44649 (outer race cup) and L44610 for the outer bearing (Cone)

 

Timken Seal Dimensions for 3.5K hubs.

Shaft Size	1.718 in 43.637 mm
Outer Diameter	2.565 in 65.151 mm
Overall Width	0.5 in 12.7 mm
Housing Bore	2.561 in 65.049 mm

 

Brakes - Maybe buy the whole assembly.

Our trailer has about 35K miles on it and the brakes still have plenty of life left.  What I learned is that tearing down a self adjusting
brake set is a pain.   So I've decided if I ever need to repair/replace the electric brakes, I'll purchase them as a complete assembly as well.

The assembly includes a new backing plate, all mounting bolts/nuts, the new magnet, new brake shoes all pre-mounted.

This makes it a snap to quickly replace a bad brake assembly.  
Unbolt the old assembly removing 4 bolts, cut the 12v wires (make sure to disconnect batteries first).
Then bolt back on the new assembly and connect the two 12v wires.
DEPENDING on your trailer/part they are about $90-$100 per assembly  from E-Trailer or Dexter online.
 

The part number can also be referenced as Dexter 23-469 for the right side and 23-468 for the left side. 

 

http://www.dexterpartsonline.com/page/399600496

 

C Short

 

[CRM]

17 minutes ago, routlaw said:

Well unfortunately the entire thing is put back together so if I understand what you refer to as axle flange I would have to start all over by taking the entire enchilada apart again. Didn't pay much attention to that part just too busy dealing with other things. Trying to do a search for the correct beating parts but man is this a deep dive. Thanks

 

You can climb under and count the bolts from the backside of the backing plate, no need for disassembly. 

[routlaw]

Well here it is, indeed 5200 lb axles. Just crawled underneath found the Dexter label and lo and behold! How on earth did this not get mentioned at delivery. Does anyone know what the bearing kit parts are for the correct Timken seals, races and bearings are for this set of axles? Thanks in advance if you do

 

[routlaw]

So far I have come up with the following on the bearing/race: 15245/15123 & 25520/25580, not sure about the seal # and have not found Set values similar to the 17 & 4 for the 35 Lb axles. For those who have been through this would appreciate verifying I have the correct part #'s. Thanks as always. Rob

[ScubaRx]

20 minutes ago, routlaw said:

So far I have come up with the following on the bearing/race: 15245/15123 & 25520/25580, not sure about the seal # and have not found Set values similar to the 17 & 4 for the 35 Lb axles. For those who have been through this would appreciate verifying I have the correct part #'s. Thanks as always. Rob

The part numbers you have listed are for the 5200 pound axles. The Double Lip Grease Seals for the 5200 pound axle is 10-36 (22333TB, Spindle D42, 2.250'' x 3.375'')

 

[ScubaRx]

2 hours ago, CRM said:

I went through this myself a while back.. Check how many bolts you have on the axle flange. If 5 bolts it's a 5200lb axle. while 4 bolts is 3500lb.

 

This is incorrect. On anything built prior to 2022 there will be 6 bolts hubs no matter the capacity of the axle. Sometime in 2022, they swapped from 16" to 15" wheels with a 5 bolt hub.

[routlaw]

53 minutes ago, ScubaRx said:

The part numbers you have listed are for the 5200 pound axles. The Double Lip Grease Seals for the 5200 pound axle is 10-36 (22333TB, Spindle D42, 2.250'' x 3.375'')

 

Thanks for following up with this info. I will order a set of those for my 5200 lb axles. Big weekend surprise on this one.

[CRM]

1 hour ago, ScubaRx said:

This is incorrect. On anything built prior to 2022 there will be 6 bolts hubs no matter the capacity of the axle. Sometime in 2022, they swapped from 16" to 15" wheels with a 5 bolt hub.

I was talking about the backing plate to axle tube, not the lug count.

[ScubaRx]

42 minutes ago, CRM said:

I was talking about the backing plate to axle tube, not the lug count.

Chris, I apologize for my mistake. Had I closely read what you wrote, I would have realized I was barking up the wrong tree. I remember your trailer being built to "Jim Oliver" specs and, of course, would have had the 5200 pound axles installed. He and I shared a mutual philosophy, bigger and stronger is always better, there's no such thing as being over-built and the only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

[Galway Girl]

Like this:

 

 

 

 

[rideandfly]

23 hours ago, routlaw said:

Decided to just jump into it after making the post, easy to determine my spindle castle nut to be 1.5 inches.

Did you use a 1 1/2" socket on the spindle castle nut?

[routlaw]

42 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

Did you use a 1 1/2" socket on the spindle castle nut?

Yep, sure enough

[rideandfly]

2 hours ago, routlaw said:

Yep, sure enough

I waned to be sure I told you correctly.
 
Checked the local Dexter dealer this morning, they said the spindle nut for the 3.5K and 5.2K is 1”-14 thread castle nut.

1 1/2” socket is used on the 1”-14 thread castle nut.

Thanks,

[routlaw]

It's all good, for now I have that wheel put back together for the time being. Just need to order new bearing parts for the heavier duty axles now and start over.       

[MAX Burner]

On 5/8/2023 at 6:06 PM, routlaw said:

Just need to order new bearing parts for the heavier duty axles now and start over.       

It's always good to practice!  Be safe under there, brother!