Mini-trailer wheel bushings?

DMartin9N-2N · Apr 27, 2023

Good evening: I have a mini garden trailer I pull with my Deere 212. Mini-trailer came from Harbor Frt many years ago. When I wanted to install a spare tire/wheel assy today, I found the existing wheel has bushings on inner and outer ends of hub. The inner bushing is stuck on the axle shaft (not rotating), so the wheel has apparently been rotating on the outside of the bushing. The outer bushing has been rotating with the wheel, so it has been rotating on the axle shaft. That inner bushing being stuck to the axle shaft keeps me from installing my 3rd party spare tire/wheel assembly, as the bushing parts are different. I can make pics tomorrow if that will help someone help me! thanks much!
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Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
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T.R.K. · Apr 27, 2023

I am guessing you have tried turning those bushings with vice-grips or a pipe wrench?

Sometimes if you can get the angle right, you can put vice-grips on a bushing like that and using a hammer, tap it off the shaft.

If all else fails, you could take an angle grinder and grind through one side of the bushing. (Preferably the top side, so if you grind into
the shaft it won't interfere with the new bearings so much. This should relieve the tension in the bushing and allow it to be removed.

DMartin9N-2N · Apr 28, 2023

Good morning, T.R.K.:Thanks for the advice, I may get back on the project today, not sure, since the original wheel and tire were o.k. last night, even with one bushing/sleeve turning and one stuck to the axle.
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Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
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DMartin9N-2N · May 4, 2023

Good evening: More reply to my own post, I tried to use a slide hammer on the stuck bushing, but the jaws on the tool were not long enough to reach the back end of the bushing. For now, I will leave the bushing as is, not worth the effort to fix something that is not broken. This thing is a yard or garden cart, really low mileage usage. (Probably end of conversation/thread).
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Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
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IaLeo · May 24, 2023

If you can get at it with a hammer and sharp cold chisel, try splitting the bushing and it probably will loosen due to expanding the bushing before you scar the shaft. Leo

DMartin9N-2N · Jun 6, 2023

Good afternoon: More reply to my own message: i removed the axle from the bracket that held it to the trailer body. I supported the bushing on the jaws of a vise, and drove the shaft vertically downward out of the bushing. The bushing seems to be a hard material, and it made a groove or gouge for several inches in the shaft until it fell off the end. sorry, no pictures yet, maybe soon.
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Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
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Greenfrog · Jun 9, 2023

Replace with flanged ball bearings. If hub is wore from it turning on the bushing, bend the edge in a
little until the bearing fits snug. If it a lawn cart, there is no speed involved.
Consider those littl air tires from harbor freight.

DMartin9N-2N · Jun 11, 2023

Good evening, Greenfrog: You have exactly described what I have. The piece I have been calling a bushing is actually the size of a flanged ballbearing unit. I was able to clean up scrapes, gouges, and so forth with a file. So I have put the wheel, bushing, and so forth back together as original. All seems good. I tried pictures, I don't think they turned out. Anyway, the cart is back to original condition, it should work fine since there is never a speed issue. Thanks much!
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Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
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Mini-trailer wheel bushings?

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