What size bearing dust cap?

[pcskier]

OK, I'm just trying to do this the lazy way. I found when changing out my 14 inch wheels to 15", one wheel is missing the bearing dust cap. Even though there is then a larger chrome appearance cap that likely does 90 percent of the work, I imagine I should get a proper dust cap. Rather than take off another wheel and remove an existing cap to take it to the auto parts store to size a replacement, then have to reinstall that wheel and then take off the other one that needs the cap...can anyone tell me what size cap I need? Then I can buy it, remove just the one wheel, and call it a day. 2014 FC23d.

[rmkrum]

No clue as to the dust cap size. Carefully measure the diameter of the opening where the cap goes in, and find that size at the Auto supply store...but there is another, bigger gotcha lurking here:

If the bearing dust cap is missing, you can bet the grease, bearings, and races are contaminated with dust and need to be replaced...that should be part of your plan, not just simply replacing the cap...

The dust will ruin the bearings, and they, according to Murphy's Law, will then fail in the worst way, at the most inconvenient time.

How and when did the dust cap go astray???

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

No clue as to the dust cap size. Carefully measure the diameter of the opening where the cap goes in, and find that size at the Auto supply store...but there is another, bigger gotcha lurking here:

If the bearing dust cap is missing, you can bet the grease, bearings, and races are contaminated with dust and need to be replaced...that should be part of your plan, not just simply replacing the cap...

The dust will ruin the bearings, and they, according to Murphy's Law, will then fail in the worst way, at the most inconvenient time.

How and when did the dust cap go astray???

Indeed I'm going to remove the seals and bearings and have a good look as part of a project to inspect/repack all bearings in the next few weeks. I will say however that the grease on this hub that is visible around the castle nut and hub area is very clean. Those chrome trim hubs that are installed seem to keep a lot of dirt out. Prudent advice for sure though..

No idea how it went missing. This trailer I bought used in April. Discovered the missing cap when upgrading the wheels. Someone serviced the bearings at some point and simply forgot to reinstall? It left the factory without one, and nobody ever corrected it? Dunno!

[rmkrum]

Scary situation. I'm mostly out in the dry parts of California--but imagine what a mess that bearing would be if rain got into it...

Yeah, if the grease looks fresh, thoroughly clean bearings and races, and look for any signs of damage or wear. I'd clean out all the grease in the hub and start over with fresh everywhere on that wheel. If the bearing parts are still shiny like the other ones, you likely dodged a bullet...

That kind of stuff is a big worry when you don't do your own bearings....someone obviously just slapped the wheel back on and didn't notice or care that the cap was missing. Sloppy work on someone's part...

Be sure to check for signs of heat on all your bearings while on the road...