Is my axle okay?

[salmonee]

Okay after purchasing a new axle, hubs, bearings and going over stuff on the internet on how to install. I kind of want to keep my old axle if it's still viable. Please look at the photos and let me know. I think I will keep the new hubs and bearings. The new ROUND axle (black) is not galvanized and looks like I will need to hire a welder to weld what's called a "spring perch" on to the axle which contains a hole for which the leaf spring nuts rests on. Can someone confirm this? I read it on another site. Else the axle will rotate if the spring perch is not welded to the axle.

The axle looks fine for the most part. The problem area is near the spindle as can be seen from the 2nd photo. Someone told me that the white stuff there is from electolysis from salt water between disimilar metals.

If I need to replace the axle, I'd rather do it now because I have the axle apart already. Please let me know.

 

[karlow1]

Re: Is my axle okay?

Hey that's my current project!
I broke a spring two weeks ago.
My axle, and springs showed up today.
Bad news I somehow forgot the shackles.
I had to salvage the old ones.
Same story with the axle. the old one was galvanized.
The new one is painted and about 1" longer.
Yep you need to weld on the perches. You best bet is to locate where they need to go. Then take it to you local muffler shop for the work.
Your bearings are more than shot!
My old axle is OK. On Tue, i will try to determine if the my old hubs are going to work. Then hang the springs, and check if the new axle is going to work out.
If all is well, it will be Miller time!

As for your axle, I have a few words for you. Four inch right angle grinder, & wire wheel. They are your friends. They will show you the truth, and set you free of all illusions!

KP

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is my axle okay?

That axle looks like it will clean up fine. What karlow said....angle grinder with wire wheel makes quick work of all that clean up.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Is my axle okay?

Is it the joint between the axle and spindle that normally fails?

 

[superpop]

Re: Is my axle okay?

None of it normally fails unless you don't maintain it. I would go down to six roblees down in Seattle and buy a new axle and new hubs, lug nuts, seals and bearings along with bearing buddies, also a tub of blue grease. The whole deal should cost around 150 bucks and then you will never have to worry about it again. The guys there can tell you exactly what you need and if you bring your old parts in they can match them up exactly. Don't trip over a buck to pick up a dime and try reusing any of those old parts in the pics. Trust me from experience, this is not something you want to be fixing on the side of the road. I did this on my trailer and it worked great. I never had the spring perches welded and the axle never moved but that is your call. Just make sure you know what you are doing on reassembly regarding torque values of the castle nut that holds the hubs to the axles and that you torque and retorque all bolts that attach the axle to the trailer and you should be fine. You should get someone that knows how to pack bearings to help you out with that as well.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Is my axle okay?

Pop,

Did you buy the round black axle? That's all they carried. I got all my stuff from 6 roblees.

 

[superpop]

Re: Is my axle okay?

Yes, I purchased a Dexter axle from them and it was round. Like I said, I never had the perches welded and I think if the u clamps are nice and tight it is probably not needed. Mine never moved or spun or anything like that.

 

[superpop]

Re: Is my axle okay?

And if you want the trailer to last, if you are dumping into Puget Sound, make sure you rinse the trailer off and rinse behind the hubs to get all the saltwater off of everything after you are done using the boat.