Replacement axle question.

[shadows4]

Hey guys, I have a question some of you might be able to answer.
I had a bent axle replaced by a local company. The trailer tows fine and braking is good. I had them replace the springs and brakes all around. So the only thing original is the front axle. I thought it looked a little off but told myself it was all in my head.
Got under the trailer today and the new axle is 1/2 inch narrower than the original. You can see it on the drivers side. The curb side is lined up like it should be. Is this going to be a problem down the road? Thanks.

[MFL]

ford truck guy wrote:

MFL wrote:
No apology needed on these forums. Happy your buddy was able to clear it up!!

No reason to start drinking now, especially with recent legalization of weed! 🙂

Jerry

A side of Jerry I didn't know ! ! ! ! :B

A little kidding amongst friends, adds fun to the forum!! However, if you don't mind, I enjoy doing it, rather than being the recipient!:C
Bwa hahaha

Jerry's a pretty straight guy, as I'm sure John (OP)is as well. Hope he took no offense to my attempt of humor.

[ford_truck_guy]

MFL wrote:
No apology needed on these forums. Happy your buddy was able to clear it up!!

No reason to start drinking now, especially with recent legalization of weed! 🙂

Jerry

A side of Jerry I didn't know ! ! ! ! :B

[fj12ryder]

Glad to hear that the issue was...a non-issue. 🙂

[MFL]

No apology needed on these forums. Happy your buddy was able to clear it up!!

No reason to start drinking now, especially with recent legalization of weed! 🙂

Jerry

[shadows4]

Original Poster here. I got back under the trailer and took more measurements. The axle is aligned correctly and centered as it should be. I feel like an idiot but when I sighted down the trailer I was lining it up with the concrete pad it was on. I was showing my camping buddy how off it was. He said, "no it's not, the trailer isn't straight on the pad!!!" Dang, he was right!!! That's when I remeasured the axle.

Thanks for all the replies sorry for being a dunce. I don't drink but maybe I should start!!! LOL

[JRscooby]

wing_zealot wrote:

Just who is the "they" you are referring to? There are 3 people involved here.
1) The axle manufacturer welded the spring perches to the axle.
2) The trailer frame manufacturer welded the spring shackles to the trailer's frame.
3) All the installer of the new axle did was remove a few bolts, swap out the axle, and re-install the bolts. Any teenager with the right wrenches could take the old bolts out and put them back in (even torque them correctly).

So who is the incompetent "they" guy you are inferring to?

Well, you are right, many people could be responsible. Is the OP that laid down the money 1? If I make a a frame, I make sure the frame is square, hangers are same distance from ball. If I build a axle, I make sure the spring perches are same distance from center. (Yes, I have done both). And if I install any part, I make sure the part is right. If I bought the parts for job, and the axle rides off center, I would be checking as to why. Is the axle made wrong? Get ahold of supplier for replacement. Is it the frame that is the issue? (OP stated bent axle. Is anybody sure the force that bent axle did not do more harm?) Point that out to owner, just to make sure it is not my donkey that gets the bite.

fj12ryder wrote:
Actually I can't see any harm with a 1/2" short on one side, as long as the axle is parallel to the other axle and straight and true. The tires aren't going to care whether they're directly in line with the one in front of it. No reason to think there would be any tire wear at all. It's way different from front end of a car/truck. Different story if the axles is incorrectly aligned, or bent.

You are right, no issue if the axles are parallel. What I see as the issue is if installed offset, how can we be sure they are parallel?
Did anybody take note of my first take?

First, it is normal for axles to walk side to each as you turn. I would think if you stopped to check while going in straight line both axles should be centered.

[fj12ryder]

JRscooby wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
I agree that a 1/2 inch isn't going to affect anything. Centered up, that amounts to 1/4" per side. Just can't see any issues with that.

Yes, "centered up", that's not much. But OTOH,

You can see it on the drivers side. The curb side is lined up like it should be.

Makes me wonder about how well it is centered? But even worse, if they where sloppy at getting it centered, how close was acceptable when it comes to making sure the axles are running true to each other and frame?
If axles where same length, measure center to center on each end, the numbers should be same. And that would work out if the centers of both axles and kingpin where on same line. But I would think axle center 1/4 inch off that line would show up as tire wear in relative few miles. (Look at toe in measurements for your TV, and how fast tire wear shows up if that's off. That's 2 tires pushing against each other. Would be better with 2 pair fighting?

Actually I can't see any harm with a 1/2" short on one side, as long as the axle is parallel to the other axle and straight and true. The tires aren't going to care whether they're directly in line with the one in front of it. No reason to think there would be any tire wear at all. It's way different from front end of a car/truck. Different story if the axles is incorrectly aligned, or bent.

[wing_zealot]

Just who is the "they" you are referring to? There are 3 people involved here.
1) The axle manufacturer welded the spring perches to the axle.
2) The trailer frame manufacturer welded the spring shackles to the trailer's frame.
3) All the installer of the new axle did was remove a few bolts, swap out the axle, and re-install the bolts. Any teenager with the right wrenches could take the old bolts out and put them back in (even torque them correctly).

So who is the incompetent "they" guy you are inferring to?

[JRscooby]

fj12ryder wrote:
I agree that a 1/2 inch isn't going to affect anything. Centered up, that amounts to 1/4" per side. Just can't see any issues with that.

Yes, "centered up", that's not much. But OTOH,

You can see it on the drivers side. The curb side is lined up like it should be.

Makes me wonder about how well it is centered? But even worse, if they where sloppy at getting it centered, how close was acceptable when it comes to making sure the axles are running true to each other and frame?
If axles where same length, measure center to center on each end, the numbers should be same. And that would work out if the centers of both axles and kingpin where on same line. But I would think axle center 1/4 inch off that line would show up as tire wear in relative few miles. (Look at toe in measurements for your TV, and how fast tire wear shows up if that's off. That's 2 tires pushing against each other. Would be better with 2 pair fighting?

[fj12ryder]

I agree that a 1/2 inch isn't going to affect anything. Centered up, that amounts to 1/4" per side. Just can't see any issues with that.

[nickthehunter]

As long as the two axles are in alignment with the trailer frame and with each other, a 1/2 inch difference in length won’t matter one bit. This assumes the springs are mounted the same difference apart on both tubes (within an 1/8 or so).
If you want an expert opinion, call Dexter axle on Monday.

[MFL]

Not many replies John, likely due to lack of alignment specialists. I can only offer a few thoughts. Are the hangers possibly bent/damaged, since the original axle was bent? Axles are normally bent upwards, with the peak in the center. If this peak differs front axle to rear axle, that would bother me. I would be happier if the new axle was 1/4 inch short on each end, making the axle bend, more centered. In this case, I'd say it won't matter long term.

I can't answer your question "will it matter", but if mine, I would search out an actual tech for correct info, to satisfy my perfectionist obsession. 🙂

Jerry

[shadows4]

TenOC wrote:

shadows4 wrote:
H
Got under the trailer today and the new axle is 1/2 inch narrower than the original.

Diameter or length????

The axle is 1/2 inch shorter in length.

[JRscooby]

TenOC wrote:

shadows4 wrote:
H
Got under the trailer today and the new axle is 1/2 inch narrower than the original.

Diameter or length????

Might want to think about that question;

You can see it on the drivers side. The curb side is lined up like it should be. Is this going to be a problem down the road? Thanks.

First, it is normal for axles to walk side to each as you turn. I would think if you stopped to check while going in straight line both axles should be centered. This would worry me. And I would not be satisfied if I paid for new axle installed and did not match.