Cotter pin substitute?

[JDgreen227]

I did my first-ever wheel bearing repack on my utility trailer yesterday, not knowing what type of grease was used at the factory, I cleaned all old lubricant from bearings, hubs, and spindles, and used disc brake grease to replace it.

This is what is weird...on my travel trailer, and the utility trailer I had before, the cotter pins used to secure the castle nuts on the spindles went straight thru. On these spindles, the cotter pins have to be pressed in with a punch to they bend while installing. Imagine the spindle being a clock face, and the top hole in the cotter pin goes in a 12, and then bends to come out at 8. Seems to me the bending would weaken the pin, and I ruined several by trying to force them in. Would safety wire work as well as a cotter pin? Thanks for any input.

 

[RobertN]

I just repacked the bearings on my flatbed trailer; it was similar.

I wiggled the cotter pin with pliers, lightly tapped it, wiggled some more, repeat.... It took some minor movement of the nut too. Then when the end started to poke thru, pull it the rest of the way thru.

I like the straight thru version...

 

[JDgreen227]

I just repacked the bearings on my flatbed trailer; it was similar.

I wiggled the cotter pin with pliers, lightly tapped it, wiggled some more, repeat.... It took some minor movement of the nut too. Then when the end started to poke thru, pull it the rest of the way thru.

I like the straight thru version...

My older trailers both had Dexter axles, the new one has a Chinese made axle....had I known that I may have purchased a different brand.

 

[Chilly807]

I did my first-ever wheel bearing repack on my utility trailer yesterday, ... and used disc brake grease to replace it.

Disc brake grease?? Do you by any chance mean the clear silicone lube that goes on the slider pins and the back of the pads?

If so, you may want to re-think the choice, as that stuff's not designed for bearing loads. I've always used chassis grease, or wheel bearing grease if it was available.

Sorry if I misunderstood what you wrote, but it jumped out at me.

Sean

 

[Diamondpilot]

I run into this all the time. A light tap with a ball peen hammer will get them in.

As far as the grease goes I think he means bearing grease that is suitable for disc brake applications. (able to take much more heat)

Chris

 

[bcp]

Probably 1/3 of the cotter pins I've seen that were installed by the consumer were 90 degrees out of position, with one end curved over the end of the bolt or nut, instead of both ends wrapped around.

I suspect that the axle factory had the same problem and solved it by making a curved hole in the bolt, and using a curved pin. Or maybe that is a common Chinese design to force uneducated mechanics to do it right.

Bruce

 

[JDgreen227]

I run into this all the time. A light tap with a ball peen hammer will get them in.

As far as the grease goes I think he means bearing grease that is suitable for disc brake applications. (able to take much more heat)

Chris

Thanks Chris, that is what I used...bearing grease for DB apps...and you are also right about using the BP hammer for the cotter pins...!!

 

[RobertN]

I have a couple small ball peen hammers. The rest, I relabeled "Breakers" The little hammer was perfect to tap the cotter pin with.

 

[slowzuki]

It actually makes very little difference which way they go in. Aesthetics mostly.

Probably 1/3 of the cotter pins I've seen that were installed by the consumer were 90 degrees out of position, with one end curved over the end of the bolt or nut, instead of both ends wrapped around.

I suspect that the axle factory had the same problem and solved it by making a curved hole in the bolt, and using a curved pin. Or maybe that is a common Chinese design to force uneducated mechanics to do it right.

Bruce

 

[tlbuser]

It actually makes very little difference which way they go in. Aesthetics mostly.

Agreed, their purpose is to keep the nut from rotating. Wrapping the legs of the pin only keep it from falling out of the hole. A safety pin of the correct diameter could be used as well, but they cost more and are bulkier, making it difficult to put the dust cover back on.