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Member
Posts: 11
Location: Ohio | Need some help with a concern. I am working on a horse trailer and took drums off of electric brake system, 3500# axle and 10" brake. Never encountered such a setup on the spindle. Instead of the spindle having a hole all of the way through for the cotter pin it only has a slot in it mid way through the threads of the spindle. The last guy just had a cotter key through the slot. It just doesn't seem safe. Is there something else that is supposed to be in the slot rather than a cotter pin? Thank you for your input |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
 
Location: Texas | Is it supposed to have a retainer on it, such as this: 
Edited by jdzaharia 2013-11-19 10:42 AM
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Member
Posts: 11
Location: Ohio | Yes, there is a castle nut for the spindle. Unlike most spindles there is no hole for a cotter pin. Just a slot through some of the threads on the spindle. There was a cotter pin in the slot. But, that just doesn't seem right to me. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 259
Location: Topeka Ks | One of the tabs on the castle nut is bent down into the slot in the spindle and does not use a cotter key |
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 Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Watertown, TN | That would keep it from turning but what keeps it in place? |
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Veteran
Posts: 259
Location: Topeka Ks | The castle nut in the picture requires a cotter pin. I believe this is the type of washer you need for your spindle. The inside tang side in the spindle slot and the outer tabs are bent to capture the bearing nut. It sounds like your working behind somebody who shouldn't have been working on bearings. |
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Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Watertown, TN | Now that I can go with. This washer should be between the outer bearing and the retaining nut. Haven't seen one of these in a long while. |
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Member
Posts: 11
Location: Ohio | |
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Member
Posts: 11
Location: Ohio | I finally got the Android phone to cooperate so that I could share a photo. I have never seen a spindle like this with a slot for the cotter pin to secure the castle nut. What I discovered was the other side of the trailer had two washers behind the castle nut. That really helped bring the nut out far enough out on the spindle to allow the cotter pin to be secure with the castle nut. Without the extra washer I believe the cotter pin could have potentially fallen away from the spindle, nothing in place to secure it. Truthfully, I am more comfortable, and I prefer, the spindles with a hole drilled through them. Just be cautious buying used trailers and take the time to check them over good before hauling because the previous owner... "just packed the bearings"! |
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Regular
Posts: 87
Location: Williamsburg VA | I have seen these on the axles with the Zerk fitting for lubricating the bearings. From looking at the web, there are a couple of different setups depending on the axle and manufacturer so getting the right parts is critical. |
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Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Watertown, TN | Originally written by skippyvcu on 2013-11-23 6:37 AM
I have seen these on the axles with the Zerk fitting for lubricating the bearings. From looking at the web, there are a couple of different setups depending on the axle and manufacturer so getting the right parts is critical. I have these axles on my CM but there is a hole through the spindle offset to one side. I am much more comfortable with that than I would be with the slot. |
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Q. axle spindle with slot
