Forum Discussion

kcgaz's avatar
kcgaz
Explorer
Jan 01, 2022

Axle Question

The bearings on the slide side of our trailer overheated and damaged the spindle. I purchased a replacement axle and installed it, but the new axle is much more cambered than the old axle. I know that axles flatten out over time, but this axle causes the wheels to angle in significantly. Is this normal and will it straighten out over time? Thanks in advance for any and all assistance!
  • ajriding's avatar
    ajriding
    Explorer II
    Jan 02, 2022
    No, but I replaced my cargo trailer's 2500lb axle with a 3500 lb axle, and usually the trailer is not that heavy, or never really over 2000. I put on Goodyear Endurance tires and they do fine with the tilted tires, no edge wear yet and I have thousands of miles on them. IDK why I did that as I still have the 2500 lb leafs... I guess I intended to make changes slowly. It sounds like your tires are more tilted though
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2022
    kcgaz wrote:
    Huntindog, I have not weighed it. I see you are in Phoenix too, do you know of places near Scottsdale to weigh it? Thanks Mike134, that helps knowing that it shouldn't damage my tires!
    Not off hand. I have always weighed mine when it counts. Loaded for a trip. Cat scales are at many truck stops. Fuel and weigh all at once.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jan 01, 2022
    If your wheels have visible camber, it will wear the tires unevenly.
  • kcgaz's avatar
    kcgaz
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2022
    Huntindog, I have not weighed it. I see you are in Phoenix too, do you know of places near Scottsdale to weigh it? Thanks Mike134, that helps knowing that it shouldn't damage my tires!
  • Mike134's avatar
    Mike134
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2022
    I have the same with my trailer, new 3500lb axle has visibly more bend than the other axle. That was 10,000 miles ago so far, no issues with tire wear.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2022
    kcgaz wrote:
    Yes, both axles are 3500 lbs. and the arch on the new axle is high and in the center. I only had to replace one and the old axle does not have any arch. Is it possible that the arch has flattened out that much or do they sell straight axles?
    Have you weighed it? All of your symptoms from the bearing failure to the no cambered axles, point to overloading at some point.
  • kcgaz's avatar
    kcgaz
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2022
    Yes, both axles are 3500 lbs. and the arch on the new axle is high and in the center. I only had to replace one and the old axle does not have any arch. Is it possible that the arch has flattened out that much or do they sell straight axles?
  • WayneAt63044's avatar
    WayneAt63044
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2022
    I assume you have 3,500 lbs axles on that trailer. Is the new one the same as the originals? Is the new axle mounted so that the arch in the axle tube is high in the center? Does the remaining original axle have a bow in the axle tube like the new one or has it fatigued with age?
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jan 01, 2022
    Did you buy an axle with a heavier weight rating than the original?

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