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Blitzkrieg3002 View Drop Down
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Joined: 30 Apr 2019
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Posts: 19 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Axle Problem 2015 182G
    Posted: 12 May 2021 at 4:12pm
So just wanted to update.  We did get word back from Lippert.  They stated they would not cove the axle under warranty.  I told him i'm going to smack it a few times with a hammer and hope for the best!!! lol

Got a long 2 week trip coming up with my wife and our two children.  I feel pretty confident on the fix for now and am going to go camping!  wish us luck and thanks all for the help.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2021 at 3:47pm
Dexter does have a better reputation than Lippert, nothing wrong with changing over. But then there haven't been near as many Dexter axles used on rpods as Lippert ones so I'm not sure if they would actually do any better. I would be suspicious if any 3500 lb rated axle on anything other than the lightest rpods, considering the negative effect of the inboard frame mounts.
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Blitzkrieg3002 View Drop Down
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Posts: 19 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2021 at 11:37am
Originally posted by offgrid

Very interesting and thanks for the report and the temp fix. I'd worry about putting a lot of side load on the frame with the bottle jack though.

I was wondering when we'd get a bent spindle here. When you said your axle hadn't lost it's crown that was a good clue. Unfortunately you can't replace a spindle, they assemble them by compressing and freezing the rubber, insert the spindle, and let it thaw. No way to reverse that.

In the end a 3500 lb axle is just too light for a heavily loaded rpod on the kind of roads we have in a lot of the country. If you're having to replace brake assemblies as well as the axle it wouldn't be much more $ to upgrade to the heavier axle.




Yea. I may go with a dexter axle if I even replace it. They have replaceable spindles and look like a better design to me. We didn’t put much pressure on the frame with the jack. Just enough to hold a bit of force on the top of the wheel while we hit the bottom of the wheel with the Hammer.
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2021 at 6:26am
Blitz, good thing you didn't tow your Pod across Indiana on I-80.  The bend in the spindles would likely have left your tires touching the trailer on the top side.  Ouch
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2021 at 6:07am
Very interesting and thanks for the report and the temp fix. I'd worry about putting a lot of side load on the frame with the bottle jack though.

I was wondering when we'd get a bent spindle here. When you said your axle hadn't lost it's crown that was a good clue. Unfortunately you can't replace a spindle, they assemble them by compressing and freezing the rubber, insert the spindle, and let it thaw. No way to reverse that.

In the end a 3500 lb axle is just too light for a heavily loaded rpod on the kind of roads we have in a lot of the country. If you're having to replace brake assemblies as well as the axle it wouldn't be much more $ to upgrade to the heavier axle.


1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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Blitzkrieg3002 View Drop Down
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Posts: 19 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2021 at 7:03pm
So, just got done temp fixing the pod. Turns out the axle is okay. We’ll sort of. The problem was a bent spindle. We started off by hooking a dial indicator up and measured about 50 thousands of flex in the edge of the axle jacking up the pod and lowering it back down. Nothing too crazy to us. We then pulled the tire off and could clearly see the bent spindle.

We grabbed an old leftover bent wheel, a BFH, a straight edge to check our bend and progress, some jack stands to brace properly and went to town correcting the bend.

I didn’t get a ton of pics but here’s what I got.

Before


Putting some force on the wheel


BFH time




After


I had to replace the brake shoes as well. The drum was so cockeyed it wore the rear brake shoe down to metal. I’ll likely order a new axle, but being so long out with shipping. (Quotes over a month wait) I’m happy with fix for the time being.

I really don’t know what I must’ve hit to cause this. Truly puzzling. the amount of force required, one would think I would’ve noticed. Guess it’s just these California roads.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2021 at 5:52pm
Originally posted by furpod

Light-cheap-strong.. pick two.


Is there one that's cheap and strong?







1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2021 at 4:34pm
Originally posted by furpod

Light-cheap-strong.. pick two.

LOL Ain't that the truth.. 
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2021 at 4:23pm
The longer ubolts were helpful because it made it easier to get the nuts started. The angle being slightly bent doesn't initially push up tightly against the axle with the first ubolts. It all comes together fine once you get all the ubolts on and start tightening them. I think if you used a floor jack in the center shorter ones would be ok, I was holding the angle up by hand which made it a bit awkward. No need to cut them off if you use the long ones, they're not in the way of anything. You need a long reach socket though.

The ubolts I got were fine threaded with heavy washers behind the backing plate. They didn't use or need lock washers. There was a specific torque setting for them IIRC.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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SC for Huskers View Drop Down
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Posts: 144 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2021 at 3:59pm
Offgrid, Do you think the 5" U bolts would be long enough, or do you think go like you did with the 6" and cut them off.Confused   Another one please, did you use lock washers or the flat ones that come with the bolt as a kit?
Thanks
Happy Traveling,
Tom
2017 172pod
2011 F150 STX
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