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Native143 · 06-07-2016, 01:47 PM

I took my 2014 16' Bambi in to the dealer due to road noise from right wheel. Asked them to check bearings and brakes. Looking at the CS tire, the wear was extreme on the inside of the tire. Hence tire bottom angles out? They have called now to say the axle seems to be bent. How can that happen? I have not hit any curbs, maybe a pothole, but that's the quality of a Dexter axle??? SO now I have to find an axle repair place because the dealer does not do alignments nor axle repair. Any advice/same situation? And how far can I safely drive on it. Not knowing how long it has been like this. Thanks.

"It is better to wear out than rust out".

Inland RV Center, In · 06-07-2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Native143

I took my 2014 16' Bambi in to the dealer due to road noise from right wheel. Asked them to check bearings and brakes. Looking at the CS tire, the wear was extreme on the inside of the tire. Hence tire bottom angles out? They have called now to say the axle seems to be bent. How can that happen? I have not hit any curbs, maybe a pothole, but that's the quality of a Dexter axle??? SO now I have to find an axle repair place because the dealer does not do alignments nor axle repair. Any advice/same situation? And how far can I safely drive on it. Not knowing how long it has been like this. Thanks.

"It is better to wear out than rust out".

Dexter torsion axles are "always" bent near the middle of the square tube.

That is how they are aligned.

Saying your axle is bent, means nothing until the dealer says "exactly where" it's bent.

If the spindle is bent, then that's the end of the story. You will have to replace the axles.

Aligning a torsion axle is not difficult, but if a spindle is bent, then it's finished.

Andy

Rpatrick16 · 06-07-2016, 02:14 PM

Are there any evidences on the tire walls to indicate you've hit an object like a deep pot hole etc? It's a 2014...any warranty left on it? Wish I could offer more help but the questions that I posed above should help build your case that it wasn't abused.

Wayne&Sam · 06-07-2016, 02:51 PM

A 2014. Out of warranty ?

Roadtoaster · 06-07-2016, 02:52 PM

Indeed it is bent, that is how the Dexter axle is aligned. Took mine to the factory and watched the process. Nothing digital, just string and tape measure along with brute force. Hopefully there are qualified places in your area but I only know of the factory and an AS repair place in the Dallas area. Don't let anyone heat the axle, it will ruin it.

Good luck.

Lumatic · 06-07-2016, 04:23 PM

It is hard to find someone willing or able to straighten a bent axle, at least in my neck of the woods. I have also been told by a Dexter dealer straightening an axle is useless because they will bend again on their own after straightening??

Zybane · 06-07-2016, 04:48 PM

This is an Airstream service center? If so, I'd imagine they would know that the axle is bent in the middle by design. If they do not know this, run!

The questions is, where is the axle bent besides the designed bend in the middle?

SpletKay06 · 06-07-2016, 06:32 PM

Most dexter axles come with a 5 year warranty or at least outside of airstream trailers. Id see if you could get the axle warranted because you can't repair it.

Tincampers · 06-07-2016, 06:47 PM

I would think they'd say it was damaged during towing and you'd have to prove otherwise. Hardly worth the effort.

Native143 · 06-08-2016, 05:30 PM

No. Good until Dec. 2016.

Native143 · 06-08-2016, 05:32 PM

This is one of those Dexter Torq-Flex axles. It is now at an axle repair place and yes it was bent. Quite a few degrees they said. Not sure how it could have happened. No incidences. And luckily it can be straightened. They do a lot of Airstream axle work. FYI American Frame and Axle in Tampa, FL.

badkat · 06-08-2016, 06:01 PM

We had a bent axle 2 years ago with a lo of inside wear on the back tires. Jackson Ctr sent us to a place in Carrollton, Tx and they bent it back. The only think we could figure is our trailer was jacked in the wrong spot when working on tires/bearings. Our cost there was between 4-5 hundred and no problems since. Now we refuse to let our trailer to be jacked up. We drive it on our ramp.

Tincampers · 06-08-2016, 08:03 PM

We are on our way to Billings, MT to get the axles aligned. I have one that is out of alignment and chewing up tires. It isn't too severe but ultimately cheaper than buying 2 tires a year!

tjdonahoe · 06-08-2016, 08:04 PM

I use a jack on the subframe with a 6" long 1/2 thick flat iron on the top of the bottle jack, no problems.....

Tincampers · 06-08-2016, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I use a jack on the subframe with a 6" long 1/2 thick flat iron on the top of the bottle jack, no problems.....

What are you pushing against? Mine is toed in so it will have to be pulled back into alignment.

Native143 · 06-09-2016, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rpatrick16

Are there any evidences on the tire walls to indicate you've hit an object like a deep pot hole etc? It's a 2014...any warranty left on it? Wish I could offer more help but the questions that I posed above should help build your case that it wasn't abused.

Except for bumpy campground roads there has been no strenuous conditions. 2014 bought Dec. 2014 so good for another 6 months. Dealer says they dont cover it but I will take it up with Airstream or Dexter axles.