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Rolo · 10-23-2011, 12:52 PM

I'm the new owner of a 62 Land Yacht and I want to replace the shocks. I jacked up the trailer, removed the lugs, and tried to pull out the tire, but no room between the fender and the wheel. I could probably let out the air and wiggle it out, but what if I have a flat on the road somewhere. I sure don't want to let the air out of spare to get it back on. I thought about removing the wheel bearing dust cap, but don't want to screw up the threads working the rim out. What am I missing here?

Inland RV Center, In · 10-23-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolo

I'm the new owner of a 62 Land Yacht and I want to replace the shocks. I jacked up the trailer, removed the lugs, and tried to pull out the tire, but no room between the fender and the wheel. I could probably let out the air and wiggle it out, but what if I have a flat on the road somewhere. I sure don't want to let the air out of spare to get it back on. I thought about removing the wheel bearing dust cap, but don't want to screw up the threads working the rim out. What am I missing here?

Rolo.

Many owners have experienced the same issue.

The answer is that the rubber rods in the axle have solidified and won't let the tire drop the 3 inches as it's supposed to, when you jack up the trailer.

Andy

wkerfoot · 10-23-2011, 01:06 PM

Sounds like the rubber rods in the axles are petrified. Did the wheel move down at all when you jacked the axle up? There are no threads on the dust cap, it is a press fit.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolo

I'm the new owner of a 62 Land Yacht and I want to replace the shocks. I jacked up the trailer, removed the lugs, and tried to pull out the tire, but no room between the fender and the wheel. I could probably let out the air and wiggle it out, but what if I have a flat on the road somewhere. I sure don't want to let the air out of spare to get it back on. I thought about removing the wheel bearing dust cap, but don't want to screw up the threads working the rim out. What am I missing here?

NOLA Geoff · 10-23-2011, 01:14 PM

My 63 sov is threaded.

Inland RV Center, In · 10-23-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOLA Geoff

My 63 sov is threaded.

Threaded grease caps were indeed true, many years ago, and, for a very short time.

I have no idea why they were, and now they are not.

Andy

Dingo Girl · 10-23-2011, 03:54 PM

Andy, is my bad axle on my 67 the reason the tire seems sooooo close to the wheel well. Will the new axle and shock combo remedy this? Or do I have bigger problems?
Thanks.

trapperman33 · 10-23-2011, 04:11 PM

Are you jacking up the trailer, or the axle? You must put the jack under the trailer and jack it up, until the tire is about 3 " off the ground this should allow the axle to drop enough to get the wheel off, good luck.

Inland RV Center, In · 10-23-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dingo Girl

Andy, is my bad axle on my 67 the reason the tire seems sooooo close to the wheel well. Will the new axle and shock combo remedy this? Or do I have bigger problems?
Thanks.

A new axle properly designed would lift your Airstream about 3 inches higher than it is now.

That would take care of the tire issue.

Andy

NOLA Geoff · 10-23-2011, 06:37 PM

Theres a spot on either side behind each rear wheel,on the belly, marked with an extra piece of aluminum. That's your jack point. Another technique is, if you have a double axle, drive up onto layers of 2x8 blocking with your good tire, And swap your bad one. Haven't changed a tire yet, but this is what i've gathered over the past month.

Inland RV Center, In · 10-23-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOLA Geoff

Theres a spot on either side behind each rear wheel,on the belly, marked with an extra piece of aluminum. That's your jack point. Another technique is, if you have a double axle, drive up onto layers of 2x8 blocking with your good tire, And swap your bad one. Haven't changed a tire yet, but this is what i've gathered over the past month.

That "JACK" label, is for a stabilizing jack, not a lifting jack.

The correct way to safely lift an Airstream with a jack, is to use the rear end of the "axle mounting plate".

Andy

ROBERT CROSS · 10-23-2011, 06:45 PM

Safe jacking....

Inland RV Center, In · 10-23-2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Safe jacking....

AMEN.

Andy

NOLA Geoff · 10-23-2011, 07:00 PM

Thanks Andy. You saved me an outrigger and possible broken bones.

Rolo · 10-23-2011, 08:31 PM

Andy,
I got the tire and the shocks out, but had to take the dust cap off. The arm didn't drop 3 inches. Am I wasting my time looking for shocks? Do I need a new axle?

Thanks.