Help installing wheel hub caps

[ioan]

I tried everything, no luck.
(Are they called "wheel hub caps"? The cap that covers the hub so dirt doesn't get into the bearings)

I have the teardrop on the top of the harborfreight trailer. Yesterday I had the second attempt to install the wheel hub caps and I can't get them in.
Do I need a special tool? I just tried to get them in position and then tap with a mallet, but they are very stubborn, don't want to get in.

Help?

Thanks,
-ioan

[eamarquardt]

Hi,

You need an SST (Special Service Tool). Get a piece of steel pipe or tubing that will slip over the dust cap and contact the rim of the dust cap. You just need a few inches of the tubing or pipe.

Then use the pipe as a driver to drive the dust cap in. Using the pipe will allow you hammer the cap in w/o ruining it.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[nrody]

If you visit the etrailer website and search the video's they have one on repacking wheel bearings. They use a small pvc pipe and you can watch exactly how to install the bearing caps. Visual aids help me alot.