Before & After Axle Pics

[Smokin Camel]

Just a couple of shots for comparing before & after on axels. The old ones were about horizontal. I sure notice the height difference. The axel plate has primer on it with the new axel (for those that notice the color difference)

[Fyrzowt]

Nice contrast photos, good comparison.
Dave

[CanoeStream]

Ditto to Dave's comments -- a most useful thread!

[drag'nwagon]

hey Smoky,

Nice job, I just did one myself. Check out the "axle replacement part I and part II, not sure which one I posted the balanced drums on. The new drums were out 7 ounces. I had them precision balanced to 1/4oz-in. I believe for the most part that everyone here will tell you that balance is important. That being said you can certainly balance the assembly, but then you have to move the assembly if you wish to rotate tires.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by drag'nwagon

hey Smoky,

...The new drums were out 7 ounces. I had them precision balanced to 1/4oz-in. I believe for the most part that everyone here will tell you that balance is important. ...

Is it common to find a shop that will ballance the drums? Sounds like an excellent idea. Hadn't heard of anyone doing this before.

Zep

[moosetags]

Nice job; looks factory.

[Kevbo10]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

Is it common to find a shop that will ballance the drums? Sounds like an excellent idea. Hadn't heard of anyone doing this before.

Zep

mr zep,

balancing the running gear is one of those things that should be done, especially if you drive 85 - 90 (i know it's a hemi dude).

two ways to do it, that i'm aware of:

1) Dyna Beads

or

2) Centramatic's

i'll leave the googling to others, or use the search feature; above and to the right.

did you know we're having a California Streamers Forum Rally in Novemeber? it's true, check it out on the rally calendar. your welcome even if, your from the SW, drink wine, and don't balance your running gear, but if your a Zep fan, your presence is required.

kevin

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Kevbo10

mr zep,

balancing the running gear ...two ways to do it, that i'm aware of:

1) Dyna Beads
or
2) Centramatic's

did you know we're having a California Streamers Forum Rally in Novemeber? it's true, check it out on the rally calendar. your welcome even if, your from the SW, drink wine, and don't balance your running gear, but if your a Zep fan, your presence is required.

kevin

Kevbo,

I still have my Peep--thanks. Guess I should get her to CA in Nov. My November is open at the moment. Wow, Kernville is near Lake Isabella! Did you know there is a great skinny dipping tank somewhere along the road near Onyx, fed by a windmill (north side of road)? Durn, after the rally I could tour my favorite hiway, 395, up to Owens and the newly running river, then over to Darwin. Gotta do it!

I have Centramatics. But I'm interested in getting the drums shaved to balance them independently.

Zep

[SilverToy]

Hello all -

Here is another "Peep"er (I have 4!!!! - LOTTA feed!) that is registering with a 2100 mile trip under my belt.... Monday (last week) to Monday (this week) - Albuquerque to DC.

SilverToy pulled like a dream!!!! We did not however hit 85, much less 90!? Stayed in the Burb/ST sweet spot of 68-70mph. Got 10.368mpg over the 2100 miles.

Had the tires all re-checked for balance before leaving ABQ and made sure that all 12 pressures (6 plus spare on ST, 4 plus spare on TV) were AOK every morning. Noticed NO weird wear patterns or anything else amiss... and as I said at the top - pulled like a dream!

Kevbo - Thanks again for the "Peeps"! Hope they don't reproduce like rabbits!!!

Axel
SilverToy
"That rug REALLY tied the room together..."

[pmclemore]

Welcome to the Right Coast, Axel. Glad your trip went well.

Pat

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

Kevbo,
But I'm interested in getting the drums shaved to balance them independently.

Zep

Check with a high performance engine builder. If they can balance flywheels and such they should be able to do hubs. I suspect they will have a strange expression on their face as a first response

[Gkiesel]

Nice Job! Which brand of Axle did you use?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Gkiesel

Nice Job! Which brand of Axle did you use?

He used Henschen axles.

Direct bolt in.

Andy

[Goin camping]

If you check the Inland RV webpage there is a photo gallery showing the process step by step.

Your local tire shop may be able to do it too. Know the process so you know what to ask for.

[Gkiesel]

I infer from your response that they were purchased from you. The reason I ask is that I am considering replacing my axles, but the cost of your Henschens is quite high you must admit. It was not too many years ago that dealer cost on the henschens was in the 400-500 dollar range. Prices go up, and I am not trying to accuse anybody of anything. Don't misunderstand. It's just that given the cost of the axles, plus shipping to the east coast, I have to consider other options.

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

He used Henschen axles.

Direct bolt in.

Andy

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by drag'nwagon

hey Smoky,

. . Check out the "axle replacement part I and part II, not sure which one I posted the balanced drums on. The new drums were out 7 ounces. I had them precision balanced to 1/4oz-in. .

Dave, may I ask how you corrected the drum that was off that much?
And a follow up question: how much out would they be before you send them back to the dealer?

I'm asking because I balanced two 12" Dexter drums. They were less than 1.5 oz out of balance.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Gkiesel

I infer from your response that they were purchased from you. The reason I ask is that I am considering replacing my axles, but the cost of your Henschens is quite high you must admit. It was not too many years ago that dealer cost on the henschens was in the 400-500 dollar range. Prices go up, and I am not trying to accuse anybody of anything. Don't misunderstand. It's just that given the cost of the axles, plus shipping to the east coast, I have to consider other options.

Your absolutely right.

In my 1986 parts book, that was revised on October 31, 1986, the price of a complete 3200 pound axle from Airstream was $604.04.

That was 20 years ago.

Andy in 1989, that same axle from Airstream cost $777.36.

Even coffee costs more today than 20 years ago.

Today, from Airstream. they are in excess of $1000.00.

Axles would be shipped to you from Ohio, not California, thereby minimizing freight. Or, you can go directly to Henschen and pick them up.

Henschen axles, since they changed the mounting bracket in 1969 at Airstream's request, are direct bolt in. No specs, no engineering needed on your part.

All you need to supply is the trailer serial number.

Granted from 1968 and older, 3 each 1/2 holes must be drilled on each side of the axle. Thats not a difficult task. Also from 1968 and older, the shock brackets are shipped loose, so that you can have them installed to fit your trailer. Why? There is a huge difference in the wheel well and shock stud spacing, between Ohio and Califonia trailers, and from year to year starting in 1961 and ending in 1968.

Dexter axles are fine, but unless you do a lot of re-engineering with them, you will wind up with 10 inch brakes for a 31 foot trailer and/or a small spindle.

Airstream, for most part, has increased their parts prices almost 5 percent accross the board, for several years running.

Gosh, I remember a friend of mine, stating some 40 years ago, that "when the price of Airstream trailers hits $10,000.00, (ten thousand dollars)" they will go out of business.

Ah yes, those were the good ole days.

How nice it would be, if you could buy "ANY" Airstream trailer for $10,000.00.
Don't hold your breath.

Likewise, parts prices have increased as well, much to the dismay of all of us.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by markdoane

Dave, may I ask how you corrected the drum that was off that much?
And a follow up question: how much out would they be before you send them back to the dealer?

I'm asking because I balanced two 12" Dexter drums. They were less than 1.5 oz out of balance.

We checked over 20 Henschen supplied hub and drums, and found the worse one to be 2 ounces out of balance.

Years ago, one pound or more, was normal.

Andy

[1963gt]

I recently had my axles (with bearings and brakes) replaced by a local reputable shop.
they ordered an axle from dexter after they measured my axle.
i supplied the "napa" shocks.
when i got my trailer back i noticed that the axle was not bolted on, as i would have expected, but welded to the frame.
I have towed it over a thousand miles since, with no problems. the brakes work well.
I am not sure how i feel about the welding versus bolting.
it seems like i should have been consulted and perhaps the future value may be reduced by this..
i would like to approach the shop with my concern, but what would i get out of it?? the "damage" is done.. unless it is not a big deal..
i'm not sure, that's why i am putting it out here.
i am not thrilled. it tows well, but what if i want to take it off?
it will probably outlive me anyway.

any thoughts?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 1963gt

I recently had my axles (with bearings and brakes) replaced by a local reputable shop.
they ordered an axle from dexter after they measured my axle.
i supplied the "napa" shocks.
when i got my trailer back i noticed that the axle was not bolted on, as i would have expected, but welded to the frame.
I have towed it over a thousand miles since, with no problems. the brakes work well.
I am not sure how i feel about the welding versus bolting.
it seems like i should have been consulted and perhaps the future value may be reduced by this..
i would like to approach the shop with my concern, but what would i get out of it?? the "damage" is done.. unless it is not a big deal..
i'm not sure, that's why i am putting it out here.
i am not thrilled. it tows well, but what if i want to take it off?
it will probably outlive me anyway.

any thoughts?

Airstream last welded axles in place in 1961.

Welds can and do crack, especially from vibration.

I would suggest that you take the trailer back to the installing dealer, and make them add two grade 8, 5/8 bolts on each side, or three grade 8, 1/2 bolts.

In that way, should the welds fail for any reason, the bolts will hold in place.

Frankly, welding an axle in place, I would consider less than poor workmanship.

Andy