Worn torsion bars

[woodnhair]

Hello Andy: I have worn torsion bars on 28` excella. Will new axles fix my problem of all tires rubbing against inner wheel wells?
thanks, jerry

[85MH325]

Jerry, what do you mean by "inner wheel well"? If the tire sidewalls are rubbing on the inside of the wheelwell toward the interior of the coach, then the tires you have on are too wide for your particular coach, and need to be switched off for narrower tires. If the tread is rubbing on the top of the wheel well, then an axle replacement is definately in order provided that the tires you have are stock size and height. You can usually tell whether or not an axle is worn out by the amount of tire sidewall visible between the top of the wheel rim and the bottom of the wheel well trim. There should be at least a couple of inches of sidewall showing. More is better.

Roger

[Inland RV Center, In]

Woodnhair

Our computers have been down for 2 weeks, and they quite well may be down for another week.

If the rubber rods in your axles have deteriorated, that in itself will not cause the tires to rub on the wheel wells.

What size tires are on your Airstream? What year is your Airstream?

Andy

[woodnhair]

I LOVE this forum, what a great community. Coach is 28`1980 excella.tires are rubbing near top just an inch below where tread starts. tires are st225x15 marathons.wheels are 6" with 0 offset. Torsion bars are horizontal or pointed up a little looking to rear. I`m sure the coach will ride a little higher with new axles but hard to imagine enough to give 2 or 3 " clearance.
thanks,jerry

[axleman]

Originally Posted by woodnhair

Torsion bars are horizontal or pointed up a little looking to rear. I`m sure the coach will ride a little higher with new axles but hard to imagine enough to give 2 or 3 " clearance.
thanks,jerry

Jerry,

It can gain you 2 or 3" - truly!

See:
http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1080235/f/Torfl...ation_4-04.pdf

Look at the #10 axle.

Regards,
Henry

[woodnhair]

I am talking about 2 or 3 " clearance on the inside of the tire, not the top, which would help also.
what's the difference between the dexter and hunschen axles?
Is it possible I have a pair of short axles????
jerry

[uwe]

Jerry,
Did you buy this coach new?
Perhaps someone installed axles with a wrong hub face dimension before.
It would help tremendously if you could post some photos.
Also, do the axle tubes have a slight bend in the center? If not, then there's no camber for the wheels, which means they could possibly rub at the top if the clearance is wrong in the first place, and the coach is loaded down.
If you do replace axles, then please go to a specialist with this one. Buying the exact same axles again will give you the exact same problem, in all likelyhood. If not right away, then soon enough.
We need to see pictures of where the tire rubs, from both the tire inside, and the rub mark on the inner wheel well. Also, of the torsion arm and frame, and of the other side with the tires on, to see how far inside the tires sit. Then, a shot of the area of the axle mounting plate where the axle mounting bolts are.
Sounds to me more and more that at some point there was an unscheduled axle job donw, perhaps with the wrong axles.

[woodnhair]

Ewe: Bought trailer in Tucson in april '05. Owner deceased. Had axles bent last mo. and also re-alighned.
Have never sent photos but will try.
jerry

[steelbird312]

Jerry,
Just last week, I helped a friend (on this forum) put new axles on his '70 Overlander. I am not positive if your dimensions are the same as his as you did not post the year model of your trailer, or I missed it; his dimensions were as follows. Hub face to Hub face, is 79 7/16". The mounting brackets welded to the axles ar 61 1/8". These dimensions gave him beautiful clearance front to back and inside to outside. He used Dexter axles for two reasons. Dexter has a place 35 miles from our home, and the cost was right at half what they would be buying Henschens from the supplier. He useda #11 with a #3700lb rating so as to receive the 12 inch brakes/drums. Heused the 22.5 degree down on the start angle. It sits up nice and pretty now.
Not trying to talk you into anything, just telling you what he did and the results.

[axleman]

Originally Posted by woodnhair

what's the difference between the dexter and hunschen axles?
jerry

Jerry,

Henschen axle $800.00 each + shipping + packaging

Dexter axle $350-$450 each + shipping (no packaging)

Do the math and the Dexter is about $350+ less expensive. Is the quality of the Henschen worth it? Airstream doesn't seem to think so, as they now use Dexter. The choice is yours!

Just two cents from a RETIRED axle man!

Regards,
Henry

[woodnhair]

Thanks gang: Interesting numbers for axle length,,,,,will check mine. waiting for decent light to take some pics of wheel wells and axles. It's raining like mad here in western washington.
Steelbird................coach is 28' 1980 excella

[Action]

Hang in there Jerry. The rain will stop soon. I've seen some news on the rainn and you sure have gotten more than normal. Wish you could send some here.

Anyway, do be accurate in all of your measurements. I may also suggest upping the weight carrying ability for the new axles if you get new ones. Not by much maybe by 10% from the old rating.

Henschen was the original equippment for your unit. And it is your unit so if you want to keep the same manufacture or change that is totally up to you. Just feel comfortable in your decision.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[axleman]

Originally Posted by woodnhair

I am talking about 2 or 3 " clearance on the inside of the tire, not the top, which would help also.
what's the difference between the dexter and hunschen axles?
Is it possible I have a pair of short axles????
jerry

Jerry,

I thought you said earlier (in post #4) that "new axles would make the unit ride higher" - I thought that you were indicating up and down with the word "higher" - not side to side - my mistake!

Henry