Mine is the HF Model 94564 (4x8) 1,740 lb. Capacity trailer with 5 bolt 12inch wheels/tires. The following applies to my trailer only, but I'm pretty sure it will be common to other 4x8 HF trailers. But, be warned: you need to check you own trailer to be sure.
GREASE SEALS: My trailer uses a metric size 30 - 52 – 10 seal. I could not find the grease seals immediately available in Oklahoma City. They had to be ordered and I found the following were available:
HF Part #42708/42709 at a cost of $1.00 each. I also found the following identical seals available: Red Trailers Part #SJ8510-18B which were exactly the same seal as the HF but at a cost of 5.20 each.
I also discovered there is a company in Oklahoma City that specializes in nothing but seals (SEALCO). I didn’t know there was such a thing as a “seal company”. They had available an SKF Grease Seal #692373 (size 30 - 52 – 10). That seal cost $5.00 and UPS shipping was another $8. BTW this seal was also available in a "hi temp" version for $24.50 if anyone is interested.
BEARINGS: My trailer used a bearing part #30205. I found those available at a local auto parts store for $19.99 each. I also found HF had spares available ($5.95 each) but were out of stock and expected more in “about 20 days”. The part number 30205 is also listed on several web sites as the replacement number for an earlier bearing part #7205E.
Other info: Red Trailers has a kit available: “25mm Trailer Wheel Bearing Kit – 30205” which includes 2 bearings/races #30205, 1 grease seal #SJ8510-18B, 1 dust cap #SJ8510-21, and 1 cotter pin for $18.95 plus shipping on Ebay which also fit the trailer. Here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/o56s5x
So here is what I did: Since my trailer was on jack stands and I was in a hurry, I purchased two of the 30205 bearings at my local auto parts store and the SKF grease seal from SEALCO and had the trailer ready to go within 4 days. I also ordered 2 of the kits from Red Trailers to have as spares in the tool box. I then ordered 10 of the HF Seals at a buck each to use in the future. That gives me a dozen of those hard to find dudes.
One last note, I will never again try to knock one of these seals out from the inside of the hub in order to salvage the seal for reuse. In so doing, I ruined both the original seal and the bearing. No, I have plenty of spares and will simply pry them out the back side. I noted one post where the writer was concerned about the rubber/plastic construction of the HF seals so I decided to cut up the old one to see how it was made. I found it to be pretty robust with a steel ring imbeded in the rubber coating. They were actually pretty tough and seemed to be well made. They were harder to get out of the hub than you might expect from looking at them.
My final advice to all HF owners would be to find your spares now and don’t wait until you need them. The grease seals from HF at a buck apiece are cheap. Buy plenty and have them on hand each time you repack the bearings. Personally I will never try to salvage one again. Its best to learn to do this entire job including installing new races in your hubs in your garage at home not broken down on the highway somewhere. Then when the emergency occurs you’ll be prepared.
Hope this helps,
Mike
