Bearings and Wheel Problem-Twice

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Well, I got the answer from the dealer. Lippert sent a non-answer answer to the measurements:
Begin quote:
Thank you for 
providing the information. It is possible the axle beam is somehow bent.
 The customer may need to replace the axle beam. Based on the DOP of the
 unit is out of warranty. Because the unit is 2 years out of warranty I 
will not be able to assist with this issue.
End quote.
It frustrates me that the person who replied could not say it was or wasn't based on the measurements sent by my dealer. The bottom line is that I will be replacing the axle.

I view this as a Forest River design flaw. The supports for the axle should be closer to the wheels. Then the road forces would be less able to exert excessive force on the axle. I saw one YouTube video where a shop welded extended mounting brackets to the outside of the frame on both sides to provide a mounting point closer to the wheels. However, I expect that the axle that will replace the one that is on there will be of the same type that is already there and will be subject to the same forces that bent the first one.

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StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6285	Topic: Bearings and Wheel Problem-Twice Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 1:31pm
	Well, I got the answer from the dealer. Lippert sent a non-answer answer to the measurements: Begin quote: Thank you for providing the information. It is possible the axle beam is somehow bent. The customer may need to replace the axle beam. Based on the DOP of the unit is out of warranty. Because the unit is 2 years out of warranty I will not be able to assist with this issue. End quote. It frustrates me that the person who replied could not say it was or wasn't based on the measurements sent by my dealer. The bottom line is that I will be replacing the axle. I view this as a Forest River design flaw. The supports for the axle should be closer to the wheels. Then the road forces would be less able to exert excessive force on the axle. I saw one YouTube video where a shop welded extended mounting brackets to the outside of the frame on both sides to provide a mounting point closer to the wheels. However, I expect that the axle that will replace the one that is on there will be of the same type that is already there and will be subject to the same forces that bent the first one.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2627	Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 4:07pm
	It should be possible to put an inverted support cradle over the axle that is attached to the frame. You would only have to weld the part that attaches to the frame, and the part that extends over the outer part of the axle would just "wrap" over the top. This would probably increase the load capability of the axle by several hundred pounds without any modifications to it at all.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2586	Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 4:31pm
	Roger & Joan, What was the ultimate outcome of your axle, brake, suspension issue? Hope you got everything fixed okay.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 5:14pm
	SH, I was thinking about my old racing days. We would attach ladder bars, traction bars or support beams to the axles and then to the frame. Basically to square the axle under torque. Issue with Pod is you probable shouldn't weld to the axle. You can weld to the frame, but I was thinking about a bolt on solution. You could mount outside of present mounting areas and then back to frame. It may possibly add support outside of the present mounting area. I agree you got a non-answer from Lippert. I'll look at it and offer advice.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 5:43pm
	SH, Just a comment. I have a Dexter axle. Some time ago I was on phone with etrailer and they told me the Dexter axle is more reliable. I have also seen some talk about Lippert and Dexter being one and the same. I can't verify that. Maybe someone else can. I have had more than one person tell me if you have a failed Lippert replace it with a Dexter. The brake and wheel parts are compatible.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6285	Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 8:40pm
	Thank you. My dealer ordered the axle already. It is likely that another Lippert axle was ordered. I will email and ask.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Wood River Pod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Sep 2016 Location: Wood River, ID Online Status: Offline Posts: 153	Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 9:44pm
	SH, did you replace with the same axle as original? Or did you beef it up to the next weight class? I think the next Lippert up is 4,500 or 5,000. Thanks Jeff
	Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE Wood River Mods

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6285	Posted: 13 Dec 2018 at 1:31pm
	The dealer ordered the same axle as the original. I would have preferred upgrading. When I get it back, I will look and see if there is a way to make a bracket that would brace the parts of the axle between the mounting bracket and the arms that would be bolt-on and not require welding.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

CAhikers2x2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Jul 2017 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 1:03pm
	We too are waiting for a new axle. Our extended warranty will cover "like for like" (less deductable and shipping). We hope this will be our resolve. Waiting for job completion and will post any new info when we pick up our Pod. Good luck to you and your Pod. Joanne and Roger
	Roger & Joanne 1 Camper Dog "Scout" 2015 RP 177 2016 Nissan Frontier 2001 Coleman Westlake

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6285	Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 1:08pm
	We don't have the extended warranty, so ours will be out-of-pocket.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS