Trailer wheel bearing dust cap installation tools

[mike93lx]

I hate installing dust caps as they always get beat up. The ones with a rubber center cover are better but the regular rounded ones always end up at least a little caved in.

What do you guys use?

Northern tool sells this simple ring, but $12 (with shipping is too much) https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200468660_200468660

I'm seeing larger metal drivers on ebay for about $18 shipped, but they look like they might be a little shallow for the caps with removable rubber center covers

 

[06 DIESEL]

I honestly have only used the ones with the rubber cover and install with a dead blow from Trusty Cook, but if you want to do the ones that are solid metal find a piece of pvc or steel pipe to fit them from the hardware store and beat on that instead of buying that tool.

 

[sberry]

Some sockets work but usually tap a screwdriver around the edges. Its not something I would have considered looking for a new tool to do. I fuzz a little grease around them too so water doesnt penetrate.

 

[mike93lx]

Some sockets work but usually tap a screwdriver around the edges. Its not something I would have considered looking for a new tool to do. I fuzz a little grease around them too so water doesnt penetrate.

I think that works well for used caps, but the new ones always seem like a struggle, at least for me

 

[sberry]

Walk them around, you aint got to do it with 1 swing.

 

[mike93lx]

I honestly have only used the ones with the rubber cover and install with a dead blow from Trusty Cook, but if you want to do the ones that are solid metal find a piece of pvc or steel pipe to fit them from the hardware store and beat on that instead of buying that tool.

I didn't think about pvc... I bet a piece of 2" will fit well. I'll try that, thanks

 

[turbodave]

One of the pieces from my ball joint press set is a perfect fit over them. I use that and a dead blow hammer to install them.

 

[mike93lx]

Walk them around, you aint got to do it with 1 swing.

I know, not my first rodeo. I am not trying to slam it home in one whack

 

[rsanter]

Sometimes a piece of PVC pipe or a PVC union happens to be the right size

 

[Eric29]

I like the review of it on the Northern tool site. Someone said it doesn’t come with instructions.

I hate installing dust caps as they always get beat up. The ones with a rubber center cover are better but the regular rounded ones always end up at least a little caved in.

What do you guys use?

Northern tool sells this simple ring, but $12 (with shipping is too much) https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200468660_200468660

I'm seeing larger metal drivers on ebay for about $18 shipped, but they look like they might be a little shallow for the caps with removable rubber center covers

 

[mike93lx]

I like the review of it on the Northern tool site. Someone said it doesn’t come with instructions.

Yeah, I almost want to buy it just to post a review pointing out the Stupidity of that review

 

[Jazz1]

I use a short piece of exhaust pipe for installing.

 

[seber]

A soft faced hammer and light taps.

 

[mike93lx]

A soft faced hammer and light taps.

No amount of soft tapping seats any of the new caps I have installed before

 

[The Cobbler]

Like a paint can, don't hit the center. hit the rim .
Not that I've done a ton of them, but always use a screwdriver on the rim and haven't noticed an issue that way

 

[plinker]

The boss made a installer tool from a piece of pipe (likely exhaust pipe) with one end capped off, works well and no damage.

 

[Trock03]

No amount of soft tapping seats any of the new caps I have installed before

Put the new cap in the freezer overnight then seat it with light taps. Makes a night and day difference.

TC

 

[MushCreek]

When I was commuting back and forth to FL with a trailer, I made my own bearing service kit. I made a press out of acme threaded rod to press bearing races in, and made a tool to install dust caps. Needless to say, in three years of running back and forth, I never had a bearing failure on the road. I've never had much luck installing those cheap little caps without a tool. I can get them on, but they look like **** by the time I'm done.

BTW- I need a pair of new ones, and TSC wants $20 for a pair of them! I ordered a pair online for $6, shipped to my door.

 

[lardy1]

I just refurbished an old single axle trailer. Everything from the spindles outward is new. Those new caps tapped right in with a rubber mallet and several light taps around the circumference.

After reading this I will be double checking them, though.

 

[mike93lx]

When I was commuting back and forth to FL with a trailer, I made my own bearing service kit. I made a press out of acme threaded rod to press bearing races in, and made a tool to install dust caps. Needless to say, in three years of running back and forth, I never had a bearing failure on the road. I've never had much luck installing those cheap little caps without a tool. I can get them on, but they look like **** by the time I'm done.

BTW- I need a pair of new ones, and TSC wants $20 for a pair of them! I ordered a pair online for $6, shipped to my door.

I feel like if you are diligent enough to have spare tools and parts, you are diligent enough to properly maintain bearings. I carry extra bearing parts as well, but doubt they will ever be needed

 

[mike93lx]

I just refurbished an old single axle trailer. Everything from the spindles outward is new. Those new caps tapped right in with a rubber mallet and several light taps around the circumference.

After reading this I will be double checking them, though.

A $3 bearing cap is certainly not a precision piece, so I am not surprised some people don't have issues with them while others do

 

[lardy1]

A $3 bearing cap is certainly not a precision piece, so I am not surprised some people don't have issues with them while others do

Yes. I was using brand new hubs and brand new caps. I'm sure the ease of assembly was influenced by that.

 

[mike93lx]

Yes. I was using brand new hubs and brand new caps. I'm sure the ease of assembly was influenced by that.

The four I did last weekend was all brand new stuff too (axles, hubs, bearings, brakes, caps).

 

[lardy1]

I'll be finding a piece of pipe or something after reading this. I never really gave it much thought until now. Removing old ones, on the other hand..........

There are probably a host of techniques I'm unaware of for that too.

 

[mike93lx]

I'll be finding a piece of pipe or something after reading this. I never really gave it much thought until now. Removing old ones, on the other hand..........

There are probably a host of techniques I'm unaware of for that too.

I usually just use a thin flat blade screwdriver and work my way around. That part I find pretty easy

 

[mikegt4]

I use a 6" piece of PVC pipe for my dust caps. A 2" (or 1-1/2", it's 25 miles away so I can't be sure) is a perfect fit for 3500# axles.

 

[mike93lx]

I use a 6" piece of PVC pipe for my dust caps. A 2" (or 1-1/2", it's 25 miles away so I can't be sure) is a perfect fit for 3500# axles.

It would have to be 2" as the smallest dust caps are 1.98"

It is possible that a 1.5" pvc fitting might fit as the OD of 1.5" tubing is 1.9", but I think that would be too tight

 

[texasprd]

I haven't done trailer dust caps specifically, but for trucks/cars I start the cap on by hand as evenly as possible, and then tap it down gently with a punch or my steel-frame screwdriver - going around the cap 2-3 times.

 

[Jazz1]

I had some issues with bearings and started carrying a loaded hub. The newer bearing buddies with relief hole help I think. Have not done any bearings couple years now.

 

[Robby321]

Bearing buddies and rubber caps... set and forget.

 

[mike93lx]

Bearing buddies and rubber caps... set and forget.

$40 for a trailer that will never be under water just doesn't make sense to me. Besides, I can get the caps with removable rubber center covers that allow access to the zerk on the end of the spindle.

I like taking the hub apart every 1-2 years anyway to clean and inspect. For a trailer than can sit for a bit at a time, I think it is a good idea to do that

 

[dubdoc]

Hmmmm, never had a problem installing the caps, but removal is another issue. Soooo, just bought this superfine cap removal tool.

 

[SeisMec]

For removal, I've always used an 8-12 oz ball peen to gently tap a cold chisel with a very slightly blunted point. The chisel's wedge does the work - forcing the cap to budge in 3 or 4 places and never ever leaves a mark. Channel locks finish pulling the cap once it's loosened.

Have seen new caps in three basic variations:

1. Installs fine.
2. No inward flare to the lip that fits inside the hub. Fix with twisted wire wheel on bench grinder.
3. Out of round. Fix with gentle squeeze with large channel locks or a vise.

 

[jsaw]

Some sockets work but usually tap a screwdriver around the edges. Its not something I would have considered looking for a new tool to do. I fuzz a little grease around them too so water doesnt penetrate.

same here, except I might use a punch