88 Excella axle replacement help

[wjcwill]

I'm replacing the axles on my 88 Excella 29' I've read a lot of axle threads to get ready for this job there is a lot of great information here. The front axle went in with no problem.
Here's the problem the pan covering the black and gray tanks is notched out so that it is underneath the inside part of the axle bracket In the picture the bottom right is the pan covering the tanks you can see where it has been notched around the bracket. It appears I am going to have to remove the pan covering the gray and black water tanks in order to lower the rear axle. has anyone experienced this and maybe have a different solution

Joe

[woodfox45]

Those pans support the tanks if you lower the pan the tank will come with it . Better give it some thought beforehand .

[wjcwill]

I'm not going to rush into it I do not want to remove the pans.

[HiJoeSilver]

I don't think there's a way around dropping the pan. If you make sure the tanks are empty before you drop the pan the piping should support the tanks. Once the pan is down get something under the tanks to support them while you finish up.

[Tuco]

If you just lower the front part of the tank you should be able to get the axle out without dropping it all the way.

[HiJoeSilver]

Originally Posted by Tuco

If you just lower the front part of the tank you should be able to get the axle out without dropping it all the way.

If you can get it low enough to get the axle clear to move down and away. Just be careful and loosen the bolts on the opposite end of pan as well so you don't bend the mounting flange to much. Don't drop the axle on the edge of the pan though, potential for much more work!

[wjcwill]

So here's the solution I came up with. I cut the corner out of pan for the black water tank. I cut it back about a 1/2 inch from the axle bracket and about 5 inches long. This gives the axle brackets enough room to drop down and miss the tank pan.
It looks like there is about 1 inch of styro foam around the tank itself so I will be able to attach a strip of metal around the piece I removed and seal it and rivet it back to tank pan

Joe

[Easyrider06]

Info request, where did you purchase your axles from and why did you replace them?
We just bought a 1989 Excella(first AS) and based on the condition of the underside(decent), it appears to have spent little time on the road. The brakes/shocks were replaced recently(2yrs +/-) by Airstream and appear to have had little road time. We've heard that AS axles last about 30+/-yrs before needing replacement, but not sure on the kind of use that is based on. Any thoughts you would have would be appreciated.
Thanks,
James and Rebecca

[cwf]

Sometimes you can 'think' through a problem... good job!

[wjcwill]

Originally Posted by Easyrider06

Info request, where did you purchase your axles from and why did you replace them?
We just bought a 1989 Excella(first AS) and based on the condition of the underside(decent), it appears to have spent little time on the road. The brakes/shocks were replaced recently(2yrs +/-) by Airstream and appear to have had little road time. We've heard that AS axles last about 30+/-yrs before needing replacement, but not sure on the kind of use that is based on. Any thoughts you would have would be appreciated.
Thanks,
James and Rebecca

There is an article referred to in several axle threads on the forum by Inland RV it shows what position your axle torsion arm should be in if the axles are good. Mine were in a negative position and would not even come back to a neutral position when I jacked the trailer up and took the weight off of the axles. I purchased my axles at a local Dexter Axle dealer Redneck trailer supply. Many people use
Colin Hyde
Trailer Restorations
Plattsburgh, NY
(518) 578-777
or Inland RV for their axles.
I believe the axles from Colin come with shock bracket already welded on. give these guys a call if you think you need axles.

Joe