Need advice on bolt-on axles, new

[shadeemry]

I'm looking to buy two new axels for a 31 foot sovereign mid bathroom model. I'm terrible at welding and am looking for a direct bolt on solution and the associated measurements.. I'm really new at the whole axel thing, so please be easy on me.. I'm wanting to go disc brakes as I heard their a lot easier to maintain, is this true or not?

Again, I don't want to do any sort of welding or drilling into the frame..so, who has actually replaced their axels with a true bolt on solution, where did you get them, and how fast was the order process (I have seen stories where people returned their axels because either they may have got the measurements wrong or the company got them wrong..)

I have used the mighty google, and came up with SO MANY results and different axels and measurements and what they include. All I want is a bolt on solution with no welding or drilling that I can slap my tires onto when I'm done, and are dependable..

I hope I'm not asking to much here..and thank you.

[garthbf]

Call Colin,
I did mine with just bolt in.
here is a thread.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...ml#post1341236

here is his info.
Colin Hyde
Trailer Restorations
Plattsburgh, NY

(518) 578-7772

[shadeemry]

I will look into them thank you very much.

[shadeemry]

Do you know the tourqe values for those bolts?

[panheaddale]

I don't think you will find " a bolt in axle" that has disc brakes, Disc brakes use a hydraulic brake system that will be electric over hydraulic. It can be done but you will not have a just bolt up and go system, for that you are going to have to do standard electric drum brakes which have been used for years. Colin is the best source , he will answer your question, and you will get the right axle and at the best cost.

[Silver Hawk]

Do you know the torque values for those bolts? = 90# per Colin.

Redid mine in four hours (including lunch break) - ramps and floor jack - I'm 72 and did it alone. Remember to put on shocks before putting up axle - cost me 3/4 hr to redo!

[garry]

Andy at Inland RV can sell a direct bolt on with advice on how to. Do a search on Inland RV. His axles cost more but they will be a direct bolt on no modifications he is an authorized by Airstream to sell the axles. My son & I did our axles and only had to elongate the bolt holes but that seller no longer does Airstream axles due to all the various problems matching up the year model.

[shadeemry]

thanks guys! im going with drum, and will be going with colin. thank you very much!

[Condoluminum]

May be too late, but I ordered axles for an '88 Excella 25 from Colin last summer.. Delivery was ~ 5 weeks to west coast, and all hardware including bolts, washers, nuts and lug nuts included... Install (thanks to magnificent Vinnie of Northbay Mobile Airstream in Santa Rosa..) was ~ 5 hours, with biggest challenges to be: (1) safely raising trailer to get at axles and underneath it; (2) Undoing propane gas line that is routed through axles and re-installing it; (3) Re-connecting wiring for electric brakes and adjusting brakes; (4) Aligning axles by measuring distances from each side to front center point...

You'll probably need long strong wrench extender to break old bolts/nuts loose, and a hydraulic floor jack to raise/lower axles. Be careful crawling around under trailer and make sure it is anchored securely on jacking devices or blocks....

[Mixter]

+1 for Colin. Mine were direct bolt on replacement. Super easy install by myself. You can get creative with furniture moving dolly's to move them around and position them. Got mine from Harbor Freight for cheap. Jack them into place and bolt them in.

You may, however have a bit tougher time getting the old ones off... I'd suggest start soaking them with PB Blaster well in advance. Also, an impact wrench will make your life easy... again Harbor Freight impact on the cheap spun my old rusty bolts right off.

Great upgrade... have fun!

[shadeemry]

I have an mg725 snap on 1/2 inch gun, breaks about 1000 pounds of tourqe, best gun to get, then I have a snap on mg31 for the smaller bolts.. The guns adjust and are much much better then harbor freight, it broke the bolt right away with a 20 gallon air compressor.

That gun was a Christmas present, they retail for 6-700 I think but you can find them on ebay for 200.. This is a very good gun, and will never go back to anything less; I mean I can beak a rusty axel bolt to exhaust bolts now in seconds..not hours.


Did you guys know the way they align these axels, is they used a pipe bender on them to adjust the camber? That's plain crazy/awesome.

[M2HB]

Originally Posted by shadeemry

I have an mg725 snap on 1/2 inch gun, breaks about 1000 pounds of tourqe, best gun to get, then I have a snap on mg31 for the smaller bolts.. The guns adjust and are much much better then harbor freight, it broke the bolt right away with a 20 gallon air compressor.

That gun was a Christmas present, they retail for 6-700 I think but you can find them on ebay for 200.. This is a very good gun, and will never go back to anything less; I mean I can beak a rusty axel bolt to exhaust bolts now in seconds..not hours.


Did you guys know the way they align these axels, is they used a pipe bender on them to adjust the camber? That's plain crazy/awesome.

All the axles should have a bend in the middle for camber. That is the was it has been done for many decades.

[Mixter]

Oh man- you've got the real deal on impact- jealous here! My HF barely torques 150!

My axles had no adjustment for alignment- bolt up only.

[featherbedder]

I am 79 yrs. old. Pur axles for my 76 31 ft A.S. from Colin installed my self w/out any help, it is not a hard job, just remember to put shocks on before lifting in place, there was'nt any mods to do , very simple job. Trailer can be lifted by pulling one axle at a time onto stack of boards, just get high enuf to slide new under then lift with floor jack, if you break shock bolts on frame gind off pur. grade 8 bolt, space out with washers. Bill

[NevadaGeo]

It'd be a shame not to put on disc brakes and activator, now. There should be a source of disc brake equipment to come with the bolt on axles. Just needs a good 30 amp wire and solid ground.

[wkerfoot]

I recently replaced the axles on my 1979 Safari and had torsion axles installed on my 1954 Liner. I went with disc brakes on both trailers - Wonderful, but not cheap. Both Kodiak and Dexter disc brakes will fit. I went with 12" Kodiak disc brakes and Dexter actuator. The only issue with the Kodiak brakes is that the aluminum wheels may not fit, not sure about the Dexter disc brakes. I have steel wheels, so not a problem.

Bill

Originally Posted by NevadaGeo

It'd be a shame not to put on disc brakes and activator, now. There should be a source of disc brake equipment to come with the bolt on axles. Just needs a good 30 amp wire and solid ground.

[shadeemry]

Originally Posted by Mixter

Oh man- you've got the real deal on impact- jealous here! My HF barely torques 150!

My axles had no adjustment for alignment- bolt up only.

I'm really happy to hear that, I'm just pulling the axels then I'm going to make the plunge here next pay period. I figure it's a good time to drop the belly pan and por 15 the frame and replace the insulation as well.

[shadeemry]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

I am 79 yrs. old. Pur axles for my 76 31 ft A.S. from Colin installed my self w/out any help, it is not a hard job, just remember to put shocks on before lifting in place, there was'nt any mods to do , very simple job. Trailer can be lifted by pulling one axle at a time onto stack of boards, just get high enuf to slide new under then lift with floor jack, if you break shock bolts on frame gind off pur. grade 8 bolt, space out with washers. Bill

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think your one of those old men that hide their muscles until stuff gets hairy

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by NevadaGeo

It'd be a shame not to put on disc brakes and activator, now. There should be a source of disc brake equipment to come with the bolt on axles. Just needs a good 30 amp wire and solid ground.

We have supplied many axles that bolt on with no modifications required (no drilling, welding, elongating holes or otherwise), both disc & drum. It just depends on what the customer asks for.
Thanks,
Colin

[Skatiero]

We have had great success ordering from Colin H.