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07-03-2017, 06:20 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 17
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Shocking Discovery
We ordered and received a new Dexter axle last week to replace the original axel on our '69 GT. I must admit, I was relieved to have it finally in place!. The question we have is about the shock mounts, which came welded onto the axle. The shocks stick out farther at the axle attachment than at the original frame attachment, so the shocks sit at an angle to the frame of the trailer. Will that affect the operation of the shocks? Should we put a longer bolt on the old frame attachment, if that's possible?
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07-03-2017, 07:28 PM
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#2
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1 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 17
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These pics show that the axles are the same length. However, the part where the shock mount is welded is different.
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07-03-2017, 08:48 PM
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#3
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,497
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If the shocks are able to move without binding you are good to go. They don't care which angle they are mounted.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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07-03-2017, 09:33 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
2016 26' Flying Cloud
Southlake
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 496
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My only concern would be that the shock would push out of its mounts. I assume that they are rubber.
__________________
2016 Flying Cloud 26u
2017 Silverado Duramax 4x4
Equalizer Hitch
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07-10-2017, 09:52 AM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 17
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How can you tell if the shock is binding?
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07-10-2017, 09:57 AM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 17
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There is about 1 - 1/12" variance between the front mount and back mount from where they stick out from the trailer frame, where the original ones were parallel to the frame. Has anyone had this problem? Or is it not a problem? Just wondering before we take her on the road.
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07-10-2017, 11:39 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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I'm just behind you in this process and this morning pulled one axle out. First thing that got my attention was the shock stud is only 1/2" from the frame and to replace a shock means dropping the axle, I do see though that the shock is not in align with the frame with the forward stud mount being 1/2" narrower than the rear(axle end). that 1/2" out looks bad enough and don't think I would be happy with 1-1/2" like you have.
I would either not use shocks or weld a new longer stud on the frame or the axle brkt.
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers
Alan
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07-10-2017, 12:48 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
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When I replaced my GT axle I welded the shock bracket on myself and there is a small offset. Looking at your pictures, it looks like brackets were welded on the wrong side of the swing arm. You can also look into cutting them off and re-welding in a more desirable location.
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07-10-2017, 02:31 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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Here's what my shocks look like with 1/2" misalignment, outer jacket just about rubbing.
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers
Alan
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07-11-2017, 05:20 PM
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#10
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by angieair
How can you tell if the shock is binding?
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Remove one end.
Move that end such that the shock gets longer and shorter.
If the effort is basically consistent throughout the movement the shock isn't binding.
>>>>>>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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12-16-2017, 04:42 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
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Another post pointed out this problem. It said that the new Dexter axles are different from the originals - mine were made by Henschen. The axle tube is longer and the spindle is shorter. The wheel mounting surface is the same distance from the frame rails but the shock bracket is moved out. I suspect I'm going to have the same problem when my new axles arrive.
If my installer can deal with it, I'll let him. If it gets too hard, I may just leave the shocks off.
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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12-16-2017, 05:59 PM
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#12
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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It’s the sort of thing a trailer shop (big truck) can handle. So long as precautions about welding on the frame are observed.
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12-16-2017, 09:12 PM
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#13
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al and Missy
If it gets too hard, I may just leave the shocks off.
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Not a good idea, unless you want the trailer to bounce forever. The purpose of shock absorbers— despite the name— isn't to absorb shocks. It's to put a damper on bouncing. This drawing explains it better than I could:
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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12-17-2017, 08:34 AM
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#14
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,497
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The makeup of an Airstream axle/spring is rubber not steel. The rubber encased in the tube acts as a dampener in of i's self. Because t always want to get back to the original position.
>>>>>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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12-17-2017, 09:08 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1973 Argosy 24
hartselle
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 582
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Action
The makeup of an Airstream axle/spring is rubber not steel. The rubber encased in the tube acts as a dampener in of i's self. Because t always want to get back to the original position.
>>>>>>>>>>Action
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An engineer that is probably smarter than me designed our axles to work with shocks. I'll put mine back to their design every time.
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12-17-2017, 02:50 PM
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#16
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,497
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I would agree.
I suspect the entire design of an Airstream requires the softest ride possible versus a white box design. In my unprofessional opinion the other travel trailers can take more stress based on their general design versus an Airstream. Leaf springs with no shocks deliver a harsher ride than a torsion axle. Add the shocks and the ride is even smoother with less stress to the coach.
>>>>>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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12-19-2017, 02:05 PM
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#17
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1 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 17
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our solution
What we ended up doing, back in the summer, was putting in some washers as spacers so that the shocks are parallel with the frame. There was just enough room on the bolts to secure the nuts. My boyfriend, the "McGyver mechanic" and I agreed that it was a good idea to use the shocks as an added measure of security for a soft ride for out old girl. Seems to work fine. We traveled 4000 miles in August, on mostly paved roads, and about 100 miles a couple of times in the fall, which included some very bumpy dirt roads. (We drove slow )
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01-29-2018, 02:47 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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I was thinking you could put a big adjustable wrench on the upper shock mount and twist it a bit to help remove some of the offset. it just a flat metal it appears.
washers are another way to do it. if you have enough and they don't rub and not binding then good to go.
__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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