Another axle question

[wannaroam]

Someone mentioned that if a AS sat a long time but was up on trailer jacks that it was less likely that the axles would be bad.

Is that true; and why would that be so?

[boatdoc]

Hey Wannaroam; The answer is rather simple. I you have something that you do not use a lot, it tends to last longer. Because the torsion arm suspension has rubber hub insde the square axle tube, in which a square shaft of a torsion arm is pressed into under specific conditions with the help of great ammount of pressure. This rubber hub acts as a dampener for the torsion arm. When a continious weight is applied to the arm it simply deforms quicker from constant pressure on the hub. It is true that axle will last longer if you keep the weight off of it during long storage period, while you keep the rust and moisture away from it.
Hope this helps you to understand the reason for someone's statement in respect to the axle.
Thanks, "Boatdoc"

[wannaroam]

Boatdoc
Thank you. I wondered why the jacks made a difference. So it is not just the sitting stationary for a long time; but the sitting on the axles for a long time.
Ok, I get it!

By the way, do you ever do any inspections for people?? I am near Pittsburgh and many of the units I've looked at are 2-3 hours from here (usually east).

[wahoonc]

Actually the best thing for a torsion axle is to use it. It keeps the rubber compounds "active". I don't know if it would get a set by having the load off of it or not. I do know they will get a set if you leave them sitting for an extended length of time. FWIW my 80 axles are toast, they are negative and there is almost no interior in it. My 75 the axles are still slightly positive. They will need to be replaced, but not right away. I know for a fact that the 75 was towed a lot in it's earlier years. From what little history I have of the 80 it spent most of it's time sitting in a RV park only getting moved once or twice a year, if that.

Aaron

[uwe]

My experience has been that the axle's rubber rods will harden over time, regardless if there's a load on them or not.
My 63 had a positive angle on the torsion arms (pointing down) , but literally no suspension. Other trailers that I have been around had level or negative torsion arms, but had still soft suspension.
I'd say, if there is doubt, buy new axles.

[bilby05]

How can you tell if you have suspension left, if you have a flat or negative angle on the arms?

Adding weight? Trying to "bounce" it?

Since I have a barely positive angle, it would be nice to know if there is any "umph" left and I can pull it for a bit without rattling the rivets too much.

While I am saving up for new axles.

thanks, bill b.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by bilby05

How can you tell if you have suspension left, if you have a flat or negative angle on the arms?

Adding weight? Trying to "bounce" it?

Since I have a barely positive angle, it would be nice to know if there is any "umph" left and I can pull it for a bit without rattling the rivets too much.

While I am saving up for new axles.

thanks, bill b.

This is a hard questio to answer. My trailers with good or new axles always had a pronounced bounce to them when standing inside and bouncing the floor with your legs without jumping.
The torsion arms are the short arms that lay in the direction of travel, extending from the axle tube backwards to the spindles.
If the arms point down, even slightly, with a loaded trailer, then that's initlally a good sign.
If the arms are level, or pointing upwards, thatn initially that is a poor sign.
However, the remaining rubber quality is what makes the biggest difference, in my opinion. If there is good and soft suspension, then the axles should be fine for a while longer.
If the torsion arms point drastically down, like 5-10 degrees or more, then more than likely the axle is shot, and needs immediate replacement.

[wannaroam]

For someone who still isn't sure that they are "getting it", could someone post a picture with an arrow pointing to the tortion arm?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by wannaroam

For someone who still isn't sure that they are "getting it", could someone post a picture with an arrow pointing to the tortion arm?

The torsion arm i sthe heavy metal casting that goes from the square shaft to the brake flange.

Andy

[wannaroam]

Ok, square shaft to brake flange,......ah, I'm a bit testosterone challenged here.

Is this correct?

[axleman]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Actually the best thing for a torsion axle is to use it.
Aaron

This retired axleman will second that!

Regards,
Henry

[LI Pets]

Can these torsion arms be rebuilt?

[axleman]

Originally Posted by Lipets

Can these torsion arms be rebuilt?

YES!!!

Regards,
Henry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Years ago, torsion axles were commonly rebuilt by replacing the rubber rods.

Torsion axles manufacturers are no longer willing to do that because of liabilty.

All too many times, the inside of the square shaft was found to be very rusty.

Adding new stresses to the weakened square tube was deemed not a wise decision.

Calling the customer and advising them of the problem, caused ethic and honesty questions, such as "how do I know your telling me the truth."

Therefore torsion axles are no longer "rebuilt," under any circumstances.

Andy

[wannaroam]

Thanks everyone!

[LI Pets]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Torsion axles manufacturers are no longer willing to do that because of liabilty.

All too many times, the inside of the square shaft was found to be very rusty.

Andy

Can I as an end user inspect those rubber bushings for rust etc.

Do you have a pic of what they look like apart?

Can those bushing be purchased?

[axleman]

Originally Posted by Lipets

Can I as an end user inspect those rubber bushings for rust etc.

Do you have a pic of what they look like apart?

Can those bushing be purchased?

Not really, the rubber is destroyed during the disassembly process.

Regards,
Henry