Replace the rubber in the axle?

[Hoosierdaddy]

Is it possible to replace the rubber in the axle rather than replacing the whole assembly?

[wasagachris]

Originally Posted by Hoosierdaddy

Is it possible to replace the rubber in the axle rather than replacing the whole assembly?

Not unless you happen to have liquid nitrogen on hand to freeze the rubber into place and the jigs to set up the rubber in the first place. The rubber rods are placed into a jig and distorted (twisted) then frozen with liquid nitrogen. Once the rods are removed from the jig while still frozen you have about 30 seconds to get them into the axle before they thaw out and untwist. I suspect that buying the nitrogen would be far more money than new axles.

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by Hoosierdaddy

Is it possible to replace the rubber in the axle rather than replacing the whole assembly?

Yes it is possible. I just don't think any of the axle manufacturers will do it. You are only an hour from Elkhart where there are Axis, Dexter and Al-Ko Kober. I read that Axis USED to rebuild axles. I'm not sure if that is true or not. I'd want everything all new.

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by Top

Yes it is possible. I just don't think any of the axle manufacturers will do it. You are only an hour from Elkhart where there are Axis, Dexter and Al-Ko Kober. I read that Axis USED to rebuild axles. I'm not sure if that is true or not. I'd want everything all new.

I've read that the liability issues led to them not doing this any more.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

I've read that the liability issues led to them not doing this any more.

Liability issues is why Henschen quit the rebuilding program, many years ago.

The inside of the steel tube, can and does get rusty, that cannot be seen. That happens to all torsion axles, no matter who the manufacturer may be.

Obviously, the rust weakens the steel tube. To what degree, is anyones guess.

Then there is the typical round trip freight, that in itself, can out price the cost of a new axle. Individuals do not get freight discounts, that companies do. Prior to a discount, the price to ship a bare axle cross country, can easily cost $1000.00.

Andy