Drain holes in axles

[dewey0726]

I just got new axles on my trailer. They are 3500 lb square axles and came without any drain holes. How many, what size and what location should the drain holes be? Thanks for any help.

 

[alldodge]

I don't see any reason to drill a drain hole in a tube that is welded closed. Water can get in, and over time will have crud fill the hole so it won't come out. I would wait for the axle to start leaking water (meaning it now has a hole) and make a larger hole so it can drain out.

May take several years

 

[dewey0726]

they already have 2 holes in them where they fit down on the springs.

 

[MTboatguy]

The companies that make them normally are smart enough to know what they need when they build them, if they needed drain holes, they would have put them in.

 

[alldodge]

Another hole will not compromise the axle but as MT mentioned, may not even be needed. If you want another hole, keep it small 3/16 maybe and put one in the middle.