Forum Discussion

Veebyes's avatar
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2015

Axle install

We met up with a nasty highway dip last year & the dip won. Unaware of the damage till tire wear told the tale.

Bought a new axle & now need to get it installed. I do most of my own work but this is beyond my capability as a some welding is involved putting the spring locator perches in place.

Any thoughts in time & price involved in changing out the axle & changing over brake drums & bearings?
Seeking Advice
  • RCMAN46's avatar
    RCMAN46
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2015
    Make sure you get a good welder that has welded trailer axles before.

    The trailer axle tube is almost paper thin and is a challenge to weld.
  • Veebyes's avatar
    Veebyes
    Explorer II
    Jul 26, 2015
    larry barnhart wrote:
    Where are you at this time?

    chevman


    Hey Larry. Back in Bermuda for a month or so. Like to be home for the worst of the hurricane season.

    Did a MD, VA, NC, TN, KY, IA, WI, MI, OH, PA, DE loop this spring.

    Want to deal with the axle when I get back in Sep.
  • allen8106's avatar
    allen8106
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2015
    RCMAN46 wrote:
    Make sure you get a good welder that has welded trailer axles before.

    The trailer axle tube is almost paper thin and is a challenge to weld.


    You don`t weld on the axle. It should bolt to the leaf springs. The leaf springs bolt to brackets welded to the frame.
  • DSDP_Don's avatar
    DSDP_Don
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2015
    Strip the old axle down, through it the bed of your truck with the new axle and have a hitch shop do the welding. Bring it home and install.
  • jasoncw's avatar
    jasoncw
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2015
    I had an axle replaced for me at a local truck shop for $500, which included a new axle and tube.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Jul 27, 2015
    Curious - why is welding involved? Did the spring hangers get damaged also? Not sure why this isn't a straightforward unbolt and bolt new one into place?

    Can you post a photo of what's damaged?
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Jul 27, 2015
    Veebyes wrote:
    I do most of my own work but this is beyond my capability as a some welding is involved putting the spring locator perches in place.

    Any thoughts in time & price involved in changing out the axle & changing over brake drums & bearings?


    I'm confused, why would there be any welding involved?

    If you're replacing a bent axle beam with a like product it should be all nuts and bolts.
  • Rotzilla's avatar
    Rotzilla
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2015
    When purchasing a new axle the spring perches are normally not welded
    on, the reason for that is some axle's mounts on top of the springs, others below the springs.
  • Veebyes's avatar
    Veebyes
    Explorer II
    Jul 27, 2015
    JaxDad wrote:
    Veebyes wrote:
    I do most of my own work but this is beyond my capability as a some welding is involved putting the spring locator perches in place.

    Any thoughts in time & price involved in changing out the axle & changing over brake drums & bearings?


    I'm confused, why would there be any welding involved?

    If you're replacing a bent axle beam with a like product it should be all nuts and bolts.


    As per OP the perches, with the locator holes, need to be welded to match the precise width from side to side.

    No, I don't have a home to do the work at, not unless shipping the trailer to & from Bermuda was viable.

    No pics available. The trailer, with new axle stored in its basement, is in MD. I am back in Bermuda. We won't be seeing each other again till September.

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