This invention relates to a replacement wheel bearing spindle which may be an accessory for boat trailers or the like and more particularly to a replacement bearing spindle which may be attached to a damaged bearing spindle at the wheel carrying end of a trailer axle to permit the wheel and new bearings to be mounted on the axle.
On a boat trailer or the like a fixed axle is carried at one end by the trailer chassis and on the other end has an integral spindle which generally carries a pair of bearings at spaced locations. The bearings have inner races fastened to the spindle and outer races on which a wheel is mounted for rotation relative to the spindle. A tire hub is fastened to the wheel, supports the trailer and rotates relative to the trailer chassis. When a bearing fails or "burns-out" the heat generated resulting from the friction created while the trailer is being pulled and before the failure is noticed, tends to damage the spindle by enlarging the diameter of the surface which seats the inner race of the bearing. When this occurs the trailer cannot be moved since a spare new set of bearings will not be received on the spindle seating surface and the trailer must be towed at great expense for subsequent replacement of the axle. If an axle is not available at the repair station, the trailer may be out of commission for some time.
Although such failures appear to occur relatively frequently, solutions to place the trailer back into service even temporarily do not appear to have been provided by the prior art. A solution to this problem must of course be simple enough to perform in the field while the trailer is on the road and be cost effective.