Question

The Trailer Boat Guys

My dust cover hubs keep coming off. What am I doing wrong and what should I be doing that I'm not? R. Cramer, Pittsburgh, PA

R. Cramer

Answered on: 9/2005

GEORGE: This is, unfortunately, an all too common occurrence. Fortunately, there is a simple solution. When putting a new dust cap on, flatten out the lip just a hair. Then, when the cover is on, get a 4X4 block of wood, set it over the cover and smack it with a hammer. This way, all points of the cover are secured at the same time and evenly. MIKE: Have you tried a dust cap from another wheel, or a new one? If not, that is the first step. If you have and you are having the same results it may be time to change the hub. I have not seen a hub opening wear from the repeated removal and installation of the dust cap when changing bearing. Measure the inside dimension of the hub using a micrometer and make sure that you are using the proper sized dust cap.

The Trailer Boat Guys: Mike and George