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Old 02-27-2020, 07:32 PM   #1
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Shock Mounts for 32 degree down angle axles

We are getting new Dexter axles. They will be model #11 axles with 12" drums and a 32 degree down starting angle on the swing arm.

With the additional downward positioning of the swing arm, would the Airstream shock mount stud for the shock be too low causing the shock to hit the axle tube? Especially considering the full rotation of the axle swing arm.

Airstream shocks are "horizontal" and attached to the Airstream frame on the leading side of the axle. The shocks are attached to the axle on the swing arm trailing side of the axle. The increased down angle will increase the distance between the two shock mount studs, and reduce the height of the swing arm shock mount bracket stud. Maybe the shock will hit the axle tube.

The photo shows a new 22.5 down start angle axle. It shows the shock mounting points. Maybe you can imagine what happens to the shock if the down angle is increased to 32 degrees down. Maybe there is a special shock mounting bracket that needs welded on the swing arm for 32 degree down start angle axles.

Anyone have shock mount troubles and solutions with a 32 degree down start angle axle?

David
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Old 02-28-2020, 05:47 AM   #2
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I dont believe the 32* drop will close that clearance very much. 1/4" at the most. Pic.looks to have in excess of an inch?
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Old 02-28-2020, 06:38 PM   #3
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Thanks for the reply. Maybe I'm over thinking this. It just seemed close to me and I don't know if others had modified or redesigned the shock mount to raise the mounting stud.

Any others with experience with 32 degree down starting axles?

David
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Old 07-29-2020, 02:02 PM   #4
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Anyone have shock mount troubles and solutions with a 32 degree down start angle axle?

A little late now but perhaps useful to someone else. Shocks will fit with a 32 down angle and there are no clearance problems. With the axles suspended there isn't enough travel on the shocks to make the connection but it's just short, maybe 1/2". I mounted my wheels then dropped the trailer off the jacks and that gave me just enough to make the connections.
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Old 07-29-2020, 07:27 PM   #5
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Hi brokeboater: Yep, you are right. We were able to mount the shocks with no problems with the 32 degree down starting angle. It looked close to me, but it was not a problem after all. Special note, we had the "high profile" axle mounting brackets on the axles which added clearance for us.

Thanks for your input to this thread.

David
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Old 01-26-2022, 10:05 AM   #6
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Hi David!

Were these 32° down axles for your '75? I'm getting axles and wonder what shocks you bought. I will need new ones for my '73.
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Old 01-26-2022, 11:30 AM   #7
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Hi David!

Were these 32° down axles for your '75? I'm getting axles and wonder what shocks you bought. I will need new ones for my '73.
I don't know about your trailer, but my 2002 Classic had Henschen axles. I had to modify the shock mounts on my new Dexter axles to get them to line up with the studs on the trailer.


Dexter also told me that shock mounts were not available on the 32 degree down axles. I would have had to buy the parts and weld them to the axles. I didn't want to do that for fear of voiding the warranty on the axles.


For details, see post # 38 in:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f43...ss-177345.html
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Old 01-26-2022, 11:40 AM   #8
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Horizontally mounted shocks are an Airstream thing.
The rest of the world sells shocks that are vertically mounted.

Because of gravity a horizontally mounted shock needs different internal valving to dampen the axle movement. Otherwise, a vertical designed shock mounted in a horizontal position is just decoration.

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Old 01-26-2022, 07:14 PM   #9
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Hello biggoofball: Yes, on my 75 Overlander 27', and my friends 76 Sovereign 31', and my son's 69 Globetrotter 21' we installed new Dexter axles with a 32 degree down start angle, and specified the "high profile" mounting brackets. This gave us about 4" increased ride height or increased ground clearance depending on your point of view. Here is a photo of the Overlander riding on the new axles. You can see almost all of the tire. We need that extra ground clearance here in Colorado.

I do not know the shock part number. It is an Airstream horizontal shock. Your nearby Airstream dealer will have the part number and maybe advise where you can order them. We were able to mount the shocks without moving the mounting stud on the axle plate, but the shocks were not centered in their travel, but well extended in order to reach the stud. The "high profile" mounting bracket moved the axle a bit closer to the shock mounting stud. Note second photo how the bracket is higher than the axle tube.

I'll risk being sacrilegious, but there are just a lot of travel trailers running around with no shocks. I'll bet there are a lot of vintage Airstreams running around with bad shocks. What's the penalty? Maybe a guy would get a little more rebound over a bump, but since we are talking a towed trailer and not a sports car, it just won't hurt much.

David
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Old 04-07-2022, 04:50 PM   #10
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I did end up with axles. Found a local shop who was amazing.
Kensington Trailer and Welding
Kensington, CT
Very thorough and quality work.

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Old 04-07-2022, 07:06 PM   #11
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New shocks add an equal cost to the value of your trailer. Axles last about 30 years and axles that have sagged and rock hard are a detriment to a potential sale. So you "invested" in your old Overlander.

Nice you found a competent shop to help get the job done.

David
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