Rusty Axle

[Rkrough]

No not a name for an elderly pornstar...... My boat came with a "free" trailer. The trailer over all was ok except for the axle which was badly rusted. I have been afraid to go more than a few miles from home because of the rust and the bow in the axle. I ordered a new drop axle from Pacific Trailers it arrived on last Friday.

Yesterday evening I raised and blocked the trailer. Then I pulled the wheels, looks pretty bad.

No way to unbolt this mess I brought out the angle grinder and some cutoff wheels.

After cutting the axle loose I pulled it out, Heavy as hell! Heavier than the axle that is replacing it
I performed an autopsy and to cut it down to fit in the recycling can. Full of sand and water?

Near the spring mount the axle tube has gotten really thin, you can see the brake mounting plate is eaten away on one side.

I stood up the other end of the axle and it occured to me that the axle was welded up side down. The drain hole is on top of the axle ! That explains the negative wheel camber also.

This evening I have to buy more cutoff wheels and cut the spring shackle bolts. I'll begin cleaning and rebuilding the hubs tonight also.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Rusty Axle

Might want to take a really close look at those leaf springs too. Definitely remove the bolts that are holding the springs on and see if they are rusting/thinning in the middle of the bushings.

 

[batman99]

Re: Rusty Axle

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I'd replace the rusty looking leaf spring packs as well. From an undocumented industry standard view, all leaf spring packs that are 15+ years old should be replaced. Over time, leaf spring steel bands tend to go brittle and snap across double railway tracks. Thus, the undocumented 15+ year replacement rule on leaf springs.

Wanted to thank you for posting your pictures. Your axles "vent hole" needing to be on the bottom (re: under side) is a great meminder for me to check my new (new to me) boat axle vent hole as well.

Thanks for posting....

 

[robert graham]

Re: Rusty Axle

Northern Tools and similar places would have new springs, shackle bolts, etc. I spray my springs, etc. with White Lithium Grease to help repel the water....seems to help a lot.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Rusty Axle

Northern Tools and similar places would have new springs, shackle bolts, etc. I spray my springs, etc. with White Lithium Grease to help repel the water....seems to help a lot.

Champion Trailer Parts is one of my favorites: http://championtrailers.com/SUB_AXLES.htm

They seem to have decent prices and a nice selection.

 

[Rkrough]

Re: Rusty Axle

Thanks for the feedback. The springs are no good. The trailer manufacturer has been out of business for a long time. I could find open eye springs that fit in length at Eastern Marine and other trailer parts E-stores but they all have a 3.5" free height. mine are 5" high. finally found the correct parts at Karavan trailers.

 

[Rkrough]

Re: Rusty Axle

I just got off the phone ordering the springs from Karavan. I was expecting them to be like Load-Rite where everything costs double of generic trailer parts. Pleasant surprise that the springs were only $40 each and the 2.125 x 6 U-bolts to hold the spring frame to the trailer rails were only $3 each.

 

[batman99]

Re: Rusty Axle

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Ya. I know what you mean about good surprises. Was obtaining preliminary price quotes at trailer sites / boat sites / RV sites for new rubber tires (re: ST185/80r13 to replace existing 8+ year older rubber) and was obtaining all sorts of different prices. Huge selling price varance on product and shipping charges. Then, I called my local auto repair shop. He quoted me "rubber ON white rims" for less price all others were selling "only the rubber". And being 2 city blocks away, I didn't have to pay for shipping charges either. Didn't realize my auto repair shop also sells Trailer Tires as well. And, it isn't even a boat or RV store - that carry this specific size of tire.... Soon, my new (new to me) boat trailer will be getting new rubber with glossy white rims as well.... Lesson learned: It does save to shop around....

 

[Rkrough]

Re: Rusty Axle

Ended up 86'ing the hubs too, I cleaned them up and noticed that the heads on many of the studs had partially corroded too. Kind of screwed myself on that front, I would have saved $20 if I had ordered the axle with galvanized hubs as a package.

Recycling guy gave me dirty looks this morning. Besides it pouring down rain, the recycling bin probably weighed 150 lbs.