1982 Calkins Trailer Hub Question

dwojo

Cadet
Joined
Jun 11, 2003
Messages
17
I have a 1982 tandem axle Calkins trailer. I do not trailer it long distances, as each trip is less than 10 miles round trip. While taking the boat to the lake tonight, my front hub exploded. Grease is everywhere, but I managed to fish and get the trailer home ok. I took the tire off (it's the one where the bolts go into the drum/hub, no nuts present) and grease is everywhere...all over the drum, shoes, etc. Now, I cannot figure out how to get the drum off. How can I do that? The drum has a bearing buddy (or at least that's what it looks like) presses in it. I can move the drum about 3 to 4 inches from the backing plate, but I cannot get it fully off. Next question is, where can I get a replacement hub from, and how does the hub come off?<br /><br />Thanks in advance for any advice!
 

iluvgear

Cadet
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
25
Re: 1982 Calkins Trailer Hub Question

I would take a look a t this page and review the articles to understand how the components should look pre-explosion. http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html#technical_support I will tell you that after a very bad experience I no longer buy anything from Champion Trailer; I would recommend http://www.portstrailersupply.com/ or http://easternmarine.com/index.html. The bearing buddy needs to be removed with a rubber mallet or a hammer and a piece of scrap wood by tapping it on all sides. Once the buddy is off you can look inside the end of the hub and see a large nut. Remove with channe lock pliers and the hub should come off with bearings or what is left of them. You should now be left with shoes and backing plate that is bolted to a square flange on the axle. When bearings explode they are actually burning up. The heat can cause things to "weld" together so I would not be shy about using so force to get things apart. This heat can ruin a spindle which may require a replacement axle. New spindles can be welded on but but getting them on straught is tough and a whole new axle is not that expensive. Once you solve the big problem you wil need to repack the bearings on the other wheels. This is fairly straight forward work and should be within reach of those qualified to pump self serve gas. If you have questions, Portsmouth or Eastern should be able to provide help over the phone.
 
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