JonFMn trailer repair

showcrop · Jul 1, 2016

Jon, I have a 14,000 bumper pull flatbed with a bent axle. I want to repair it. Is there any way to bend it back? I really expect to replace them both, and I see that equivalent axles are not all that expensive. How and where do I take my measurements from in order to get the right length and is there anything else that I need to be aware of other than type of bearings, brakes etc?

jon f mn · Jul 1, 2016

You will need the center to center on the springs and hub face to hub face, that is the flat part of the hub the wheel sits against. You will also need to buy the u-bolts as they rarely come off without ruining the threads. I always just torch those off. Your brake backers and hubs should go right on as long as the axle is the same brand. I think some frame shops will straighten them but check cost first, as you say a simple axle shaft is not expensive. If you have a Redneck Trailer supply near you I can order one for you with my discount if you like. The pic is their locations. They might even ship one to you.

jon f mn · Jul 1, 2016

One more bit of advice, closely check all the other parts for wear or bending before you buy an axle.
It's very rare to get a bent axle unless the axle hit the trailer frame and that can only happen if
something else is wrong. You would have to have hit something incredibly hard so you would know how it
got bent otherwise. Check for sloppy suspension parts and bent springs for sure. Also check you brakes,
an axle with backers will be almost the same cost as a complete axle with new bearings and hubs. If
everything else is good but the axle hits the frame anyway then it could have been installed with the
wrong parts from factory, it happens more than you think.

showcrop · Jul 1, 2016

(quoted from post at 05:49:05 07/01/16) One more bit of advice, closely check all the other parts for wear or bending before you buy an axle.
It's very rare to get a bent axle unless the axle hit the trailer frame and that can only happen if
something else is wrong. You would have to have hit something incredibly hard so you would know how it
got bent otherwise. Check for sloppy suspension parts and bent springs for sure. Also check you brakes,
an axle with backers will be almost the same cost as a complete axle with new bearings and hubs. If
everything else is good but the axle hits the frame anyway then it could have been installed with the
wrong parts from factory, it happens more than you think.

I noticed one wheel/tire leaning in so I lifted it well up into the air to check it out. I could see where the shackles were hitting the frame. The conduit for the lights got crushed as well. I just figured that it was from carrying an 8000 lb load a few times. By center to center of the springs, are you talking front to back or side to side. I was thinking of replacing springs and all, but just the axles themselves would sure be a lot easier. I would probably want to replace the brakes at the same time.

jon f mn · Jul 1, 2016

Lol, another thing about a job like thiis to be careful of. If you are going to pull the suspension
bolts out DO NOT let the bolt spin at all in the bracket. Those bolts are knurled on the head end to
keep them from spinning amd if you let them spin while trying to get them in or out the bracket will be
shot and will wear out very quickly afterward. I always torch off the nut end and drive them out for
that reason.

Russ from MN · Jul 1, 2016

My BIL and I straightened one under a trailer house once, we used a hydraulic jack, an I beam and 2 chains.

jon f mn · Jul 1, 2016

If you have doubleeye springs the shackles should hit the frame, but not the axle. For slipper springs the equalizer would hit the frame, but again not the axle. If there is evidence that the axle has been hitting the frame keep looking for problems. When you order the axle the measurement is spring center, measure from spring to spring at the axle. There should be a bolt throigh the spring that will make it easy to get the measurement. An 8k load on a 14k trailer isnot too much unless the trailer weighs over 6k empty.

showcrop · Jul 1, 2016

(quoted from post at 06:15:29 07/01/16) If you have doubleeye springs the shackles should hit the frame, but not the axle. For slipper springs the equalizer would hit the frame, but again not the axle. If there is evidence that the axle has been hitting the frame keep looking for problems. When you order the axle the measurement is spring center, measure from spring to spring at the axle. There should be a bolt throigh the spring that will make it easy to get the measurement. An 8k load on a 14k trailer isnot too much unless the trailer weighs over 6k empty.

OK I will measure that. My bad the trailer is 7,700 not 14,000

jon f mn · Jul 1, 2016

I thought so when you said double eye suspension.

JonFMn trailer repair

showcrop

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jon f mn

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showcrop

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jon f mn

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Russ from MN

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