Negative Camber

[sal3030]

Hello,
I have an EZ Load Trailer single axle. GVWR 3000# for DMV. I have a bent axle which is resulting in negative camber (more on the left wheel) I was reading but can't find the answer I am looking for. I was thinking, would flipping the axle, which is 2" square), would this help getting it back somewhat strait? The wheels are perfect without the boat on it and I only drive 1.5 miles down the road to put in. Additionally, after reading I am confused about mounting the axle over or under the leaf springs. It is currently mounting on top with two square u bolts. I am not sure this is correct. I think it should be under.
Thanks,
Sal
P.S. When I say flip, I mean, rotating the axle 180 degrees so the side facing down will then face up.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Negative Camber

Being above the spring means that the trailer is lower than if the axle was below the leaf spring. It's fine either location but usually you want the trailer and load lower.
If you just jack up the loaded trailer under the bent axle a bit to the left of centre you might just straighten the axle some and not have to flip anything. Just be careful that you don't bend it too much. If it does not bend it then you can try other things.

 

[sal3030]

Re: Negative Camber

"Other things" like what I mentioned, flipping it over?

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Negative Camber

"Other things" like what I mentioned, flipping it over?

Right or wrong that's what I'm going to do with mine. Lots of people have bent axles and don't know it, at least you're aware and can take proper precauctions such as paying attention to tire wear and checking around the spindle for stress cracks etc. I figure I'll get another couple years. By the time you pay somebody to professionally straighten an axle it's cheaper to buy a new one.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Negative Camber

Think about this folks. The axle bent for a reason. Flipping it is a band-aid as it will only bend again. The reason axles bend is because they are too light for the load being carried. The answer to this is weigh the rig -- bent axle and all. Full of gas, all the gear you carry and other steuff normally hauled in the boat. If that comes to 3000# or over, the trailer is overloaded. And if the trailer is overloaded to the point where the axle is bending, then the tires probably don't have enough load capacity either. Look at the sidewall and it tells you what the maximum load is and maximum inflation pressure. Lastly, axles can be installed above or below the spring. It makes no difference whatsoever except for trailer ride height. You cannot flip a drop spindle axle.

 

[sal3030]

Re: Negative Camber

My axle is rated to 3500# and the whole rig is only about 2700. The previous owner told me that the wheels were stolen off of it when in storage in a yard. It was left on it's belly. This is probably when it was bent. I hope it bends or at least flexes back to almost 0 camber when under load.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Negative Camber

That doesn't make sense. If the axle landed on something when it dropped to the ground, it would be bent upward n the middle causing positive camber, not negative. The only way an axle can bend resulting in negative camber is overloading, driving too fast on an extremely rough road or an axle that is simply to light for the load. In all fairness, even trailers that aren't overloaded can have negative camber but settle back to zero or positive camber when unloaded. That is not my idea of a good trailer design but it doesn't necessarily make it unsafe either. Ever follow a fully independedly sprung car and notice the rear wheels splayed out a bit at the bottom. That too is negative camber and is perfectly acceptable but if run continously that way would result in abnormal tire wear yet the handling of the vehicle is not adversely affected.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Negative Camber

Agreed, axle bent for a reason. But that can be a one time overload. My dad stored mine for a bit and didn't take the plug out. Nearly new straight axle became instantly negatively cambered following a week of rather large amounts of rain. Flip that over and it becomes a regular cambered axle. Maybe the next time my dad stores it he'll leave the plug in and straighten it back out. Band aid, yes, but worst case scenario that band aid will easily last a couple years with no ill effects besides likely wearing my currently unevenly worn tires more flat like they should be.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Negative Camber

I agree that the axle had to bend for a reason but a band aid fix is better than no fix.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Negative Camber

The simple fix would be to add some reinforcement since it would be removed from the trailer anyway. Any welding shop in town can do this.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Negative Camber

Welding around here is so ungodly expensive by the time you think about that it's time for a new axle.

 

[64osby]

Re: Negative Camber

Axles are cambered at a factory. If the order calls for it. Spring mounts are locked in place and a ram pushes the axle up to form the camber.

I have seen a trailer shop re-camber an axle with a thick chain and a floor jack. The chain is placed under the floor jack and secured to the axle at the spring mounts with bolts, washers and nuts, with the least amount of slack possible. Make sure the jack is centered on the axle and the spring mounts are in the proper position for under or over mount position. Large pipe wrenches were used to hold the axle from turning as the floor jack was raised until the desired camber was formed.

This maybe not for everyone, but it can return an axle to it's original camber.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Negative Camber

Axles are cambered at a factory. If the order calls for it. Spring mounts are locked in place and a ram pushes the axle up to form the camber.

I have seen a trailer shop re-camber an axle with a thick chain and a floor jack. The chain is placed under the floor jack and secured to the axle at the spring mounts with bolts, washers and nuts, with the least amount of slack possible. Make sure the jack is centered on the axle and the spring mounts are in the proper position for under or over mount position. Large pipe wrenches were used to hold the axle from turning as the floor jack was raised until the desired camber was formed.

This maybe not for everyone, but it can return an axle to it's original camber.

Everybody seems to ignore the fact that once metal is bent, it is weaker than it was before. Re-cambering is not a solution. It is a band aid and the same problem will exist in a short time. Recamber if you wish, but then reinforce it.

 

[sal3030]

Re: Negative Camber

I was just looking at my trailer and being that the camber is 0 when the boat isnt on it, I am going to try to flip it over. Even if I wind up with positive camber may be it will settle back at some point. As I said, I only drive it 1.5 miles down the road to put it in. I go about 30 mph max. I just get nervous when I look in my side mirror and see it leaning that way. I just don't wan to buy a new axle. With shipping they are close to $200.

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Negative Camber

You cannot flip a drop spindle axle.

umm......yes you can. You'll end up with an inexpensive axle lift. When rebuilding a utility trailer, I wanted to get rid of the fenders protruding into the deck. This trailer had different sized leaf packs, so a spring over would result in an unequal deck height. The only solution was to flip the axle. What was a 6in drop-axle is now a 6in lift. I have more than enough clearance even with a full load of ATVs and dirtbikes. The camber changed, but that doesn't bother me. That's what tire rotations and used tire dealers are for. Trailer sits level with my lifted truck now, and I don't need to use a draw bar with an 8in drop.