Is This Rim Trashed?

[BlueThunder]

While restoring this UniGo trailer, I noticed that the wheel had a lot of play. Thinking that the bearings were shot, I discovered this:

Apparently the bearing was spinning within the rim. My question... can this rim be repaired to fit the bearing or is the rim trashed?

[MikeB]

It could probably be saved but I have a feeling it would cost more to fix it than buy a new one.

[MiWinger51]

Hey Brian, your wheel can be repaired. This would be my process for doing it. 1) remove the bearing and bore the wheel hub until it has at least 90% clean up. 2) make a sleeve with an outside diameter with a .001 press fit to the bored hub. 3) the inside diameter of the sleeve should be a .001 press to the bearing. I would make a lead slip fit about 1/2 way thru the bore to align the pieces for pressing. Good Luck.

[ct1500]

Into the trash it goes.

[Aussie81Interstate]

Personal opinion would be to just buy another one. I feel it would be cheaper than trying to repair the current damage and concern your self with the fine tolerances to be a satisfactory repair.

[raven41951]

If you bore it, how do you know ahead of time if you have it centered? Too expensive to find out.

Time for a new wheel.

[MiWinger51]

If you bore it, how do you know ahead of time if you have it centered? Too expensive to find out.

Time for a new wheel.

You use an indicator to find the center of the wheel. It is a simple process.

[BlueThunder]

Thanks for the help. After speaking with a machinist, the cost is close enough to the cost of a new rim. Turns out a new wheel is only $199CDN. So after doing the conversion..... its basically free!

Al was a machinist for many years and if I lived closer I would let him have a go at it. Since I was planning on having the rim powdercoated black, its a no brainer to simply buy a new rim - especially given the cost of replacement.

[minimac]

I think you're making the right choice, given the costs to repair. While it could be a somewhat easy fix, the time and tooling to do the repair put this beyond most D.I.Y.ers. Towing is hard enough without throwing possible issues into the mix.

[DenverWinger]

Machining and repair can be good, but +1 on the new rim.

[raven41951]

Guess I was too brief but I agree with the posts. Knowing the cost of machining, given the distortion, is there a crack in the wheel that would make it unusable, etc. plus the fact that I just got a spare wheel and tire for my own trailer for 100 bucks (US) I figured it as a no brainer to go new.

[wiretician]

I'm for the replace. Looks like it is a cast rim, with the machining, it could get too thin, and on the press fit of the sleeve put too much pressure on the newly turned surface and split the hub. Then you have to get another rim anyway and out the machining cost as well. Better to go new than to risk a possible failure on the road from a repair that might cause a crash.

[Dilltm]

When you install new rim and wheel make sure bearing is well greased and use proper torque so the bearing does not bind thus forcing the darn thing from spinning inside the hub.
Terry 2005