Axle repair

[Not Done]

Based on everything I'm hearing from the Tin Family I assume that my '73 Excella axles are shot. Still trying to confirm this though. I've not heard any mention of repairing axles, only replacing them. Are the worn portion(s) of axles/suspension not repairable?

[Goin camping]

Interesting question.

In going over what you'd have to do in my mind I really don't see how.

Fortunately there will be folks who actually know responding to your question.

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by Not Done

Based on everything I'm hearing from the Tin Family I assume that my '73 Excella axles are shot. Still trying to confirm this though. I've not heard any mention of repairing axles, only replacing them. Are the worn portion(s) of axles/suspension not repairable?

The issue is that that the rubber rods, which make up the actual suspension, get hard from non use. There a couple of ways to check, one is to see if the arms point level or up, as they should point down, two is to jack up the trailer, or run one set of wheels on a ramp and see if the wheels drop three inches. If not, then you probably need new axles. There are several threads on this forum about axles and axles replacement.

Bill

[overlander63]

Repairing the parts that are worn are not economically possible. It would cost more to do than a new axle would cost, if you could find a place with the ability to perform the work.

[Kevin245]

From what knowledge I have I would not try to rebuild a torison type axle. I would think that you would come out much safer and cheaper buying new ones. The manufacturing process complicated and speacilized.

Plus the integrity of your AS is related to the health/quality of your running gear. I hate spending the money, but it is worth it to me to know my heavy hauler is rolling on good axles and tires.

Regards,


Kevin

[Goin camping]

Two more thoughts...

1, COuld you send your axles to the factory for rebuilding?

2, I'd go for new axles if for no ther reasons than that new axles can come with disc brakes and neverlube hubs.

[crispyboy]

I don't think any factory would bother with rehabbing old axles. It would cost more and be more hassle than what it's worth. There is a very good chance that the inside of the axle could be full of rust which would bring question to the integrity of the axle tube.
Save up the $$ for new ones.

[Smokin Camel]

I am given to understand that no machine shop or factory will rebuild old axels as the liability is too high.

When I did my axels I just ordered a pair from Inland. They were great. Andy went over the install procedure and some cautions about weight (I am disabled). After a bit of instruction and encouragement I ended up putting in a couple of axels. The axels were a straight bolt in (no measuring and drilling) and aligned as bolted...I will see if that holds up after I get another 1000 miles on it .

Why mess with even trying to rebuild it, your insurance (or someone else's) would have a bird if there was ever a failure related accident.

[Distantdrummer]

I finally found this thread. I recalled reading it long ago when I was Airstream active. And now I am back and man this place has grown. Searching is a task, but there's some old gold buried in those archives.

regarding Axle Re-Rubbering:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...ture-3469.html

www . airforums.com/forums/f437/new-axles-vs-old-picture-3469.html

go to last pages of the thread for specifics but whole thread is interesting.

I do not know what has changed since I was here last pertinent to axles. Is Inland still the exclusive distributor ? I thought I saw that Henschen had changed hands and name, is that correct?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Distantdrummer

I finally found this thread. I recalled reading it long ago when I was Airstream active. And now I am back and man this place has grown. Searching is a task, but there's some old gold buried in those archives.

regarding Axle Re-Rubbering:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...ture-3469.html

www . airforums.com/forums/f437/new-axles-vs-old-picture-3469.html

go to last pages of the thread for specifics but whole thread is interesting.

I do not know what has changed since I was here last pertinent to axles. Is Inland still the exclusive distributor ? I thought I saw that Henschen had changed hands and name, is that correct?

Rebuilding torsion axles was discontinued many years ago.

The liability is not worth the risk.

Henschen is the same. Just a different Corporate owner called GKN.

They are a fine company from England.

Nothing has changed with our contract with Henschen and Airstream.

Andy

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Rebuilding torsion axles was discontinued many years ago.

The liability is not worth the risk...

Seeing what is involved, I tend to think the effort level in rebuilding an old axle labor-wise far exceeds the effort involved in building a new axle from scratch.

Its been a while, but I think Inland Andy has a link to the manufacturing process which details the process of building a new Dura-Torque axle. Liquid nitrogen is a major player in the process.

Cleaning the guts out of an old axle in preparation of new rubber rods looks like a big task to me.

Originality is one thing. A reasonable course of action is another.

Tom

[NevadaGeo]

Back to Incompletes' question, are the arms connecting the wheels to the axles pointing down ward toward the ground, or upward toward the wheel well. Down is good and happy. Up is sad and tired.

[Not Done]

I'm not sure. I've looked a couple of times and wasn't sure what the arms would look like... My conclusion at this point is that they are up far enough that they are not appearent (to me). Before I order new axles I'll confirm but I think mine are toast.

[centennialman]

You will be happy that you put your new axle(s) on. The difference in the ride, height of the coach etc.... is night and day