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04-13-2009, 08:02 PM
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#21
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisd37
Terry, the only difference in our procedures will be that I am lowering the trailer to the axles rather than lifting the axles to the trailer. The remainder of the procedures are exactly the same. Once the axles are bolted on I will jack the trailer back up onto jackstands and remove the wheels to do the shocks and electrical.
My belief is that the "lift the axles to the jack" procedure comes from one habit:
You drive your double axle trailer up on boards to change a flat, so anything that involves taking a wheel off means driving up on boards first.
Changing an axle means taking the wheel off, so habit drives people up onto boards as the first step to the procedure. (Of course! You're taking a wheel off, so it's easier to drive the other axle's wheels up onto boards!)
Once you are on boards you do not have the option of lowering the trailer to the axle and have no choice but to jack the axles somehow up to the trailer.
IMO the trailer wants to go down, and the axles do NOT want to go up, so why not give them both what they want!
No matter what, it will be fun to try a new method! I hope I hope I hope the stuff gets here early in the day!
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My Trailer only has one axle, So I had to jack it up. Removing the tires allows for the axle to be removed with the tire wheel assembly not hitting the wells and bottom of the belly pan.
Don't lock on to your procedure to prove a point, What you are suggesting is dangerous, You could do serious damage to yourself and your trailer.
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04-13-2009, 08:13 PM
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#22
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2 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Marietta
, 30064
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 59
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The old axles are already off. I popped 3 of the 4 wheels off to have a look at things and (honest to God) had to use a jack between the wheel and frame to push the 4th wheel off the trailer. That told me "new everything, all around." The trailer is on 4 jack stands behind the axles and the super jack and SUV ball mount in front. It's not going anywhere.
Drilling what 1/2" holes? I paid for the replacement axles from Inland RV. The holes are supposed to be perfect which takes care of alignment. You just bolt them on and that's that.
Floor jack ,huh? Turn table plate? Ok now I understand why y'all think that way is so easy. With a fancy jack like that it probably is easy! THAT is what I am missing. If I can't make do with what I have tomorrow, then at least now I know what to go rent. Thanks safari62!
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04-13-2009, 08:17 PM
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#23
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2 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Marietta
, 30064
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 59
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Hey Aerowood, no worries, if it is not looking good I will totally abandon and go get the floor jack safari62 mentioned. I was thinking of a car spare tire type jack being used for lifting the axle (which I mantain is absurd) but the kind of jack safari62 is talking about sounds sensible.
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04-13-2009, 08:27 PM
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#24
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
1957 22' Custom
1963 16' Bambi
Vacationland
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisd37
The old axles are already off. I popped 3 of the 4 wheels off to have a look at things and (honest to God) had to use a jack between the wheel and frame to push the 4th wheel off the trailer. That told me "new everything, all around." The trailer is on 4 jack stands behind the axles and the super jack and SUV ball mount in front. It's not going anywhere.
Drilling what 1/2" holes? I paid for the replacement axles from Inland RV. The holes are supposed to be perfect which takes care of alignment. You just bolt them on and that's that.
Floor jack ,huh? Turn table plate? Ok now I understand why y'all think that way is so easy. With a fancy jack like that it probably is easy! THAT is what I am missing. If I can't make do with what I have tomorrow, then at least now I know what to go rent. Thanks safari62!
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My vintage trailer mounting holes did not match the new axle. Sounds like newer trailers will. Good luck with that. Chances are you will have to cut off and reweld shock mounts....at least I had too. If so that can be done after axle is in place.
Renting a floor jack will help.
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04-13-2009, 08:40 PM
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#25
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
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Here's a motorcycle jack
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04-13-2009, 09:56 PM
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#26
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4 Rivet Member
1963 28' Ambassador
Smiths Grove
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 406
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Chris,
I replaced my axles a couple of weeks ago without a floor jack. We used wooden blocks, hand lifted one side at a time placing a block under each side until we were close to the slots. We used a tire jack to finish placing the axles in the slots, drilled holes and bolted one axle on at a time (replacing one axle at a time). Honestly, I found it to be uncomfortable crawling under the trailer with just one axle installed and I can not imagine getting under the trailer with no axles. Please be careful.
63silver
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04-13-2009, 10:07 PM
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#27
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by safari62
My vintage trailer mounting holes did not match the new axle.
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That is a "pre-1969 thing", and he shouldn't have that problem with his '76.
As for his choice of installation methods, we've made our opinions clear, he can choose to reconsider, or follow his own path.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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04-13-2009, 10:15 PM
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#28
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Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind
Wickenburg
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 547
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What you are missing is a floor jack! Must have! Adios, John
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04-13-2009, 10:21 PM
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#29
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikethefixit
Oh DID I MENTION I'm 70 yrs old.
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Oh, man, I gotta wait another ten years?
(Sorry, Roger, couldn't resist)
__________________
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. ...John Wayne...........................
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04-13-2009, 10:31 PM
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#30
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3 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 133
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Chris:
I jacked up my 31' 78 Sovreign to replace the axles. I was on a level floor so I did not have to anchor the trailer using the tow vehicle. I did make up a "C" shaped wooden frame on four casters that I had to move the old axles out and the new ones in. Once under, a floor jack was used to raise them into position. Wheels were off, drums and shocks were on. I am not a fan of what you are planning because you will have to get under the trailer while someone you trust lowers it in order to guide the axles into place.
BTW, my axles were the correct ones but the alignment is bad. After a bad experience with trying to get them aligned by an Airstream dealer, I will let the tires grind away since they have to be replaced every 4 years anyway, but that's another thread.
__________________
Harry W
4CU Charter Member
AIR # 13858, WBCCI # 2420
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04-14-2009, 12:00 AM
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#31
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Axle fit
1969 and newer trailers will accept new axles that have the shock brackets welded in place, so no welding is necessary.
They also directly bolt up with 2 bolts on each side.
Nothing to weld, and no holes to drill.
The welding and hole drilling is related to axles that will be installed on the 1968 and older trailers.
The drilling of the holes on the 68 and older trailers, is necessary because the axle mounting bracket was changed, as per Airstream's request.
The welding of the shock brackets on the 68 and older trailers, is necessary since their location on the torsion arm was different between the 2 Airstream plants, as well as different for some of those years as well as some models.
The only option is to weld them in place in the field, to make sure that the necessary clearances are met.
Andy
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04-14-2009, 06:37 AM
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#32
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Patriotic
1973 23' Safari
North of Boston
, Massachusetts
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,546
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Anybody see the news thismorning? or was it just a local story...
Mark (the bird) Fidrich, famous mlb pitcher, is dead. Truck fell on him. probably doing something like this.
Unless I'm totally misunderstanding, what is being described is completely insane. for the sake of a jack that costs...what? 100 bucks? rent for 15? borrow from a neighbor for free?
__________________
Air:291
Wbcci: 3752
'73 Safari 23'
'00 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 QC
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04-14-2009, 07:12 AM
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#33
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Rivet Master
1959 26' Overlander
Putnam
, Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,064
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My personal bias is to stablize the heavier larger object. Then bring the lighter smaller object to the larger one. Requires less energy and allows for more control (control = mass / (energy avalable to apply * presicion).
So the safty margin your way is Axel Mass/ Trailer Mass. The raise the axel approach is Trailer Mass/ Axel Mass. Big numbers are better.
This will take you a lot longer than you think, be very careful and get someone reliable to help. I would feel better with some leveled cement blocks as a backup.
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04-14-2009, 07:13 AM
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#34
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck
Anybody see the news thismorning? or was it just a local story...
Mark (the bird) Fidrich, famous mlb pitcher, is dead. Truck fell on him. probably doing something like this.
Unless I'm totally misunderstanding, what is being described is completely insane. for the sake of a jack that costs...what? 100 bucks? rent for 15? borrow from a neighbor for free?
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Or a couple of buddies that have some muscles, who would probably enjoy helping, provided you offered a six pack, or two.
A wind alone, can topple the trailer off of the jacks.
Andy
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04-14-2009, 07:56 AM
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#35
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
A wind alone, can topple the trailer off of the jacks.
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Wasn't Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych killed under a truck? Thanks for the good times, Bird.
Be careful out there...
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04-14-2009, 02:08 PM
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#36
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2 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Marietta
, 30064
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 59
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So why didnt anybody say "the new axles just aren't that heavy you can lift them youself without too much trouble?" The drums etc are not on yet, so the axles were relatively light and relatively simple to work with.
Given that, and given the concerns expressed here, I hand lifted them and put the bolts through. Then I used my SUV jack to apply some weight so the rear end swung up like it would on the ground. Once it's all together and on the ground I will loosen and retorque the axle-to-frame bolts in case anything wants to settle into place.
Now... With the trailer still on jackstands & blocks etc, the shocks, fully extended, don't quite make it the length between their shock mounts. I assume under load the shock mount on the axle will move closer to the shock mount on the frame and then the shocks will go on ok? Is that right?
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04-14-2009, 02:16 PM
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#37
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisd37
Now... With the trailer still on jackstands & blocks etc, the shocks, fully extended, don't quite make it the length between their shock mounts. I assume under load the shock mount on the axle will move closer to the shock mount on the frame and then the shocks will go on ok? Is that right?
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Install the shocks when there is a load on the axle.
The cause is the 35 degree starting angle.
It will settle into place all by itself, in time.
No cause to worry.
Andy
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04-14-2009, 02:20 PM
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#38
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moderator
Commercial Member
2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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Do you have a picture of your current progress?
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04-14-2009, 03:00 PM
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#39
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
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I need to change the aerator on the sink in my Airstream. Getting the old one off is easy. To put the new one on, I'm going to jack up the trailer. Then while standing outside, I'm going to reach in through the window and hold the new aerator under the faucet. Then I'll have my wife lower the jacks little at a time until the faucet hits the aerator and then I'll just screw it on! Seems easier than the way everybody else does it.
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04-14-2009, 03:07 PM
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#40
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2 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Marietta
, 30064
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 59
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Hi Vlamica, yes: WebForm1
I got a bunch of Georgia pollen gunk all in the red grease on the spindles, so I will have to clean those and regrease them. Andy included a can of that grease, thanks!
Next question: There are two "LEFT" electric brakes and two "RIGHT" electric brakes. I assume both lefts go on the "driver's/road side" and both rights go on "passenger/curb side"? (rather than when facing the wheel well having a LEFT on my left and a RIGHT on my right)
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