Keel roller replacement, how to?

[tfret]

I have an 18" long, 4" wide roller that is splitting really bad on my trailer. It looks like the internal metal sleeve is rusting and expanding which causes the rubber to split. I'm going to order a new roller but I'm not sure how to remove the existing one, and what all I will need for the new one. The mounting brackets are welded in place 18" apart. The roller it's self is 17 3/8" long. There are compression caps on both ends of the rod extending from both ends of the roller. I can only assume there are some sort of spring loaded pins inside the roller and I remove the existing roll by removing the end caps and compressing the pin in on one side?? I'm really not sure. And I don't know what internal parts of the existing roller I need to reuse with the new one, or if any new hardware will come with the new roller. I'll take all the advice I can get. Thanks!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Keel roller replacement, how to?

The rod acts as a simple axle, with the roller spinning on it. However, rust may have joined the rod and the inner tube of the roller together, possibly permanently.


Spray the ends of the roller where the rod comes through with penetrating oil (e.g. PB Blaster, Kroil, but NOT WD-40). Pop off one of the caps and try to drive the rod out. You may have to cut the rod and replace it if the rust is bad.