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garthbf · 08-16-2013, 09:00 AM

Here is some photos of replacing the axles on our 75 Sovereign.
First I need to thank Colin Hyde for the help and service getting me the new axles.
This job took my son and me about 8 hours total. We ended up having to paint and cover the outriggers in the wheel wells, drill out and replace some of the rivets in the belly pan. replace the copper gas line going under the axles (it got crushed in one spot some time in the past).
here we are getting the trailer up on blocks on one axle.
the wheel off and ready to go, the new axles and me trying to show the angle of the old axle.

garthbf · 08-16-2013, 09:11 AM

the outriggers in the wheel well were rusting, no holes. so we used a wire brush and then painted with SilverBullet rust coating.
then I made some covers for them out of light Alum. the covers wrap under the bottom and over the banana wrap that was starting corrode.
Also had to patch a crack in the plastic wheel well.

RM66caravel · 08-16-2013, 09:17 AM

Good job had some fun and some father and son time! Looks good so what is next?
Cliff

garthbf · 08-16-2013, 09:18 AM

new one going in...
made the mistake of not putting on the shocks before putting in the axle.
they needed to go in from the frame side and there was not any clearance. We had the axle in and bolted down and I was not going to take it back out if I did not have to. So we went to town and got some different bolts and some sleave to go over them so we could put the bolt in from the other side.

garthbf · 08-16-2013, 09:32 AM

moved the trailer forward to start the other axle.

garthbf · 08-16-2013, 09:34 AM

now the hight is much better.
here is the old axles, anybody what them?

247stream · 08-16-2013, 12:31 PM

Nice job. I'm interested in hearing how differently the trailer feels when towing now.

also, thanks for all the pics, they are always so much more helpful than just words.

garthbf · 08-16-2013, 01:42 PM

thanks,
I will report back... I am planning on taking it out on a short test drive this weekend.

BoCox · 08-16-2013, 03:38 PM

You may or may not care, but the yellow shocks are not correct. They are made for vertical applications. AS uses a horizontal black shock made specifically for their trailers. There's a few threads that goes into more detail.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f460...ock-97220.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f460...nfo-74598.html

garthbf · 08-16-2013, 03:54 PM

thanks for you concern. I know of the debate about shocks and what type. I got the ones that I was told to by the person I got the axles from.

featherbedder · 08-16-2013, 04:02 PM

I changed axles this spring pur. from Colin Hyde he uses monroe shocks gave me part # they are yellow in color, I don't believe Colin would use or recommend shocks that are not proper usage on A.S. If you don't like yellow, paint black before installing. I also made same mistake garthbf made not putting shock on first. dropped first axle, no big deal as have full range of mechanic tools, did not make same mistake on second axle, broke bolts off several on frame ground off used stubs machined them bored them then used bolts and sleeves thru shock fit perfect, no welding involved

RM66caravel · 08-17-2013, 01:50 AM

Mine are yellow and the recommended airstream replacement I don't plan to paint them but if Jeannie wants em black I can do that too. But always use what you know are right I went with several recommdations before I ordered the shocks then got the pn from frank (62overlander) only later to be told by the babe that she had already ordered them said she called as. Darn I am lucky she got me!
Cliff

kevinb · 08-17-2013, 06:00 AM

[QUOTE=garthbf;1341236]now the hight is much better.
here is the old axles, anybody what them?[/QUOTE

Actually, they would make a good utility trailer axle it would just bounce a little more then it should.

I took mine to the scrap yard and got a whopping $28.88

panheaddale · 08-17-2013, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoCox

You may or may not care, but the yellow shocks are not correct. They are made for vertical applications. AS uses a horizontal black shock made specifically for their trailers. There's a few threads that goes into more detail.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f460...ock-97220.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f460...nfo-74598.html

The color of the shock doesn't make it right or wrong what you want to look for is the type of shock used.
The main function of a shock absorber is maintaining vertical loads upon your tires to help keep tires in good contact with the road. There are two main shock absorber designs in use today: the two-tube design and the mono-tube design.
Conventional two-tube design shock absorbers must be mounted vertically, while mono-tube designs which are high-pressure shock absorbers can be mounted vertically or horizontally and they will work either way. Look for a high pressure mono tube gas shock and it can be mounted horizontal or vertical.

garthbf · 08-17-2013, 09:05 AM

thanks for all the info about shock... but it looks like this thread is becoming another shock descussion thread.

so... here is a photo from years ago. the hight has improved.

garthbf · 08-19-2013, 02:33 PM

took it out for a test drive sat. morning. rides much better. hight is right now for my new TV (93 f-250 diesel). I am not comparing apples to apples with before and after...
Old was with old axles and 88 chev with 454.
new - new axles, new TV and new brake controller.

Condoluminum · 08-19-2013, 03:16 PM

Thanks for posting.. Our axles ordered last month due to show up any day now.. Shocks painted since the yellow didn't complement existing color palette... Will remember to mount shock onto axle BEFORE bolting unit into place...