axle / brake question

[steverad]

Hello & happy holiday everyone,

I have Hadco torsion axel with 12" barke drum (ENC model 446) on my 1966 tradewind. I am planing to replcae the back plates and hub assemblies with Dexter. Please let me know if I need to replace the spindels, if so how do I do that?

thanks
steve

[vinstream]

I would think that you could not replace the Spindles due to the fact they are welded on the Torsion Arm. You may be able to grind the welds off the spindle and weld new ones on, but I would think you would never be able weld them on so that the alinement would be correct! I would further think that the cost in what it is you are doing, you would be further a head in just getting a entirely new axle from Dexter. But just don't rule out Dexter as the only axle to chose from. I would also point out this would be a great time to up grade to disk breaks! Would like to know what you decide and the cost to do what it is your trying to do!

Question... Why are you trying to do this?

Good Luck

[68 TWind]

I can't help but think you need more than back plates. I have a 68 Trade Wind and the axles had ZERO suspension. The rubber in the axles gets hard over the years and you have no suspension. When I would jack my trailer up the wheels did not move. Imagine the vibration and shock of pulling it down the road on axles with no suspension. New axles are not that expensive and a must if you are going to travel. I would suggest you give Colin Hyde (he is on the VAP podcast) a call (518-578-7772). Colin has been in the restoration business for years and knows his stuff. I got my axles through him and am very pleased with the axles and his help.

[Greg@AirLA]

Your 66 has a 5k Henschen axle(Now GKN) the original torsion arm start angle was 22 1/2° downward, Hayes brake assembly and Hadco drum. The Hadcos were a de-mountable hub/drum, meaning you could add a brake drum to an idler hub or remove the drum and still have a hub, they also had a replaceable armature plate.
The spindle is a #42, everything present day will fit that spindle. The brake shoes are the same as current Dexter or Alko, but the magnet is different, round rather than new style oval. The round magnets are still available but the prices are inching up and availability is going down so my guess is they will be NLA shortly.
Greg

[steverad]

Thank you everyone, especially Greg. My axels are fine and this trailer is in a good shape for its age. I like to keep the axels and just replace the brakes.

Have a great holiday

I am sure I will be back again with other questions

Steve