My new axles don't fit

[DavidsonOverlander]

I picked up a pair of new axles from Axis a couple of weeks ago but due to the weather and other commitments I didn't get around to installing them until today. When I looked at them I realized that the new axles are not the same as the old ones.

The brackets appear to have been put on the wrong ends so they extend more to the back, but on the old axles the brackets are longer to the front of the axle.

The distance between the brackets is 1/8" greater on the new axles. The brackets on the axles have to fit between the axle mounts on the trailer and since the old axles were a tight fit I think this extra 1/8" would make it very hard to get the axles into place.

The distance between the mounting plates for the brakes is 3/4" less on the new axles, which I think means the tires would be 3/4" closer together.

How could they get this so wrong when they had the old axles to copy from? I'm glad I brought the old axles home, but I wish I'd looked at the new ones more closely when I picked them up.

I'll be calling them tomorrow to see how they can fix this problem.

[Boondocker]

I am VERRY suprised to see that from Axis, I wonder what they are going to say when you contact them. My guess is they will do what they need to do to make things right. Bummer that you are having to suffer through this though.

[C Johnson]

Hi Grant, I noticed they didn't put the shock mounts on the new axles either. What I would do before I call them is make sure everything else fits, backing plates, drums, bearings etc. If none of the hardware fits they may as well get you a new set of axles. I feel your pain man, hope everything works out in the end.

Chris

[uwe]

Originally Posted by C Johnson

Hi Grant, I noticed they didn't put the shock mounts on the new axles either. What I would do before I call them is make sure everything else fits, backing plates, drums, bearings etc. If none of the hardware fits they may as well get you a new set of axles. I feel your pain man, hope everything works out in the end.

Chris

There are shock mounts. They don't have a stud, though. Look at the first picture....but regardless, the shock mounts are useless, because in order to use them you will have to put a bolt through the top hole in teh shock mount. This bolt will promptly interfere with the axle mounting bolt, which will sit right behind it.
I would return these axles, and have them make "proper"ones for you. This case is especially laughable, since you apparently provided them with sample axles......

[C Johnson]

Originally Posted by uwe

There are shock mounts. They don't have a stud, though. Look at the first picture....but regardless, the shock mounts are useless, because in order to use them you will have to put a bolt through the top hole in teh shock mount. This bolt will promptly interfere with the axle mounting bolt, which will sit right behind it.
I would return these axles, and have them make "proper"ones for you. This case is especially laughable, since you apparently provided them with sample axles......

Uwe, You are right ! I see the shock mounts now. I agree take em back.

[47WeeWind]

Grant: To me, it looks like AXIS mistakenly welded the correct size new angled mounting plates on the wrong ends of your new axle, as you have already mentioned. Imagine lifting each plate off, turning it 180 degrees, swapping them end to end across the axle and then welding them in place. The new 90 degree angled mounting plates should then fit just like the old ones on your original axle. Seems to me a simple "wrong side" mistake by the mounting bracket welder that wasn't caught before your axle was shipped. Human error sometimes happens. I imagine AXIS will be more careful second time around.