That's a much better image. It does not look like you have anything to worry about. It's now clear that the piece you were asking about is the cotter pin and it is possible to see that it's in place as it should be. If you are not comfortable with what you are doing it is a really good idea to have a mechanic look it over,…
I seem to remember, on one of my old VW Beetles, that the wheel bearing cap had a grease zerk sticking out of it that you could use to pump grease directly into the wheel hub cavity. Maybe the person that installed that grease zerk on FreshAir's axle thought it might work the same way. It really doesn't make any sense…
I'm thinking that it does not have the EZ Lube Axle as it is obviously a cotter pin. If it isn't a EZ Lube you might want to have it checked by a mechanic to make sure that zerk fitting is properly greasing the bearings.
Actually, I may have overreacted; is that just a very close up view of the grease fitting? I have never had my caps off, and just assumed I was looking at the spindle nut. I would at least take the broken parts out and try and identify them. Also, you may want to jack up the trailer on that side and rotate the wheel to…
If a seal is blown, the grease is not retained in the races...instead of being pushed into the bearing it will escape wherever it can go..with EZ lube...I'm not sure how you would identify that.One more point related to the wheel/axle service should be considered. At the same time that the bearings are checked annually (or…
DO NOT TOW WITH THAT UNTIL YOU HAVE IT CHECKED OUT! It appears your spindle nut is broken and the spindle is damaged. I assume what we are seeing is a bearing that has come apart, but I cannot be sure. If the spindle nut is broken and comes completely off there is nothing keeping the wheel on the trailer, and if you have a…
That looks like the cotter pin from the castle nut.... If you can pull out the rounded piece that is sitting below the nut (use a pair of needle nosed pliers) clean it off and post a picture it would be very helpful. Also please clean off the rest of the loose grease and retake your picture so that we can help you to…
I finally got my Tab back from the mechanic and, yep, it was a cotter pin that we were seeing. Nothing was wrong or out of place. Interestingly enough though, the opposing side, the one I had added grease to, needed to be done also. Apparently the seals weren't holding the grease well. I guess the moral of this story is I…
I think you are seeing the grease zerk in the middle of the spindle with the castle nut behind. the cotter pin goes through the spindle at an angle and I think someone pushed it down around to keep it from rubbing on the cap. Don't think it is easy lube axle as there is no spring loaded cap and our ez lube spindle has a…
Good call, @Luckyj - the EZ Lube axle spindle uses a retaining washer. A cotter pin cannot be used as it would create a hole perpendicular to the EZ Lube grease hole that goes through the center of the axle. I would pull that wheel off and and see exactly what you have. This is what should be on the end of that axle shaft:…