Axle/tire Upgrade
Okay, I've blown 3 tires in the last 5 trips. I had Maxis 8008 14 in tires. Yes, the tires were about 7 years old, but I'm tired of only being able to get "C" rated tires. My rig weighs in at about 6...
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I'm very capable of working on this as I have a vast array of tools and knowledge. I've swapped engines and such and I pretty much work on and fix everything I own.
Having said that....here's what I decided.
I've done a lot of research,
I'm not going to replace the axles, I'm upgrading the springs and bushings/equalizers. Dexter has a "wet bolt" HD bushing kit that eliminates the nylon bushings and uses bronze bushings with grease-able bolts. I didn't want to have to "special order" the 5200# axle with the correct spring and hub face dimensions and then they would have to move the spring perches to the top since the spring in over-slung. Not going there, at least for now. Trailer has been great for the last 11 years. Why change now.
I'm told by some that I can straighten the hanger with a really big crescent wrench. I'll give that a try. I'm also going to weld in some metal brackets to stabilize the hangers. I have a plasma cutter on my X-mas list. I always wanted one. Advice on which one to get is very much accepted. I'm looking at a Hobart.
Then I'll order some 15 inch wheels with my 5 lug pattern and get me some E rated tires.
This will allow me to still upgrade to a bigger axle in the future.
Of course I also need to crack open the drums and fix the brake wiring, (wires pulled out with my last tire blowout) but I need to repack the bearings and replace the seals anyway.
thoughts and advice always accepted ....... and happy Friday....
Wish me luck.....
Having said that....here's what I decided.
I've done a lot of research,
I'm not going to replace the axles, I'm upgrading the springs and bushings/equalizers. Dexter has a "wet bolt" HD bushing kit that eliminates the nylon bushings and uses bronze bushings with grease-able bolts. I didn't want to have to "special order" the 5200# axle with the correct spring and hub face dimensions and then they would have to move the spring perches to the top since the spring in over-slung. Not going there, at least for now. Trailer has been great for the last 11 years. Why change now.
I'm told by some that I can straighten the hanger with a really big crescent wrench. I'll give that a try. I'm also going to weld in some metal brackets to stabilize the hangers. I have a plasma cutter on my X-mas list. I always wanted one. Advice on which one to get is very much accepted. I'm looking at a Hobart.
Then I'll order some 15 inch wheels with my 5 lug pattern and get me some E rated tires.
This will allow me to still upgrade to a bigger axle in the future.
Of course I also need to crack open the drums and fix the brake wiring, (wires pulled out with my last tire blowout) but I need to repack the bearings and replace the seals anyway.
thoughts and advice always accepted ....... and happy Friday....
Wish me luck.....
