178 axle support

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   Hello I just picked up a 2016 178 Hood River in great condition with the exception of a bent axle I need to repair, it has negative camber. Looking on the web, it looks like this is a common problem with the R Pod's. It looks to me like the frame rails are to narrow for the axle and there is to much leverage. The frame rail to hub face looks will over the 9 inch max recommended, mine is close to 14". I am thinking the axle could be realigned and then build a support from the frame to a mount at the end of the axle holding it to support the wheel end of the axle. There is a good frame shop in town I have used to align the trailer I have now, that can realign it. If that does not work, I will install a 5200lbs. axle with 3500lbs. leaf springs.

Here are the top mounts and a mount to relocate the LP gas line all done and powder coated. I also replaced the grade 5 bolts and grade 3 washers with all grade 8.

Welding the mounts to the lift blocks.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Toyanvil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2019 Location: Bakersfield Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Topic: 178 axle support Posted: 03 Mar 2019 at 8:55am
	Hello I just picked up a 2016 178 Hood River in great condition with the exception of a bent axle I need to repair, it has negative camber. Looking on the web, it looks like this is a common problem with the R Pod's. It looks to me like the frame rails are to narrow for the axle and there is to much leverage. The frame rail to hub face looks will over the 9 inch max recommended, mine is close to 14". I am thinking the axle could be realigned and then build a support from the frame to a mount at the end of the axle holding it to support the wheel end of the axle. There is a good frame shop in town I have used to align the trailer I have now, that can realign it. If that does not work, I will install a 5200lbs. axle with 3500lbs. leaf springs. Here are the top mounts and a mount to relocate the LP gas line all done and powder coated. I also replaced the grade 5 bolts and grade 3 washers with all grade 8. Welding the mounts to the lift blocks.

funks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 05 Nov 2014 Location: CALIF Online Status: Offline Posts: 98	Posted: 03 Mar 2019 at 11:38am
	Welcome to the group. I really like the support your giving the axle. I hope it works for you. I have one question to ask. The picture of the support were its lying on the vise you have a bolt with a spacer. When mounted on the rpod you just have the holes without a bolt. Why are the holes in the support? Thanks for sharing.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 03 Mar 2019 at 11:44am
	funks, Toyanvil isn't done yet. The support brackets still need to bolt to pieces extending down and out to support the axle ends. Looks great so far though.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

funks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 05 Nov 2014 Location: CALIF Online Status: Offline Posts: 98	Posted: 03 Mar 2019 at 1:20pm
	Really looks great. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Toyanvil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2019 Location: Bakersfield Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 03 Mar 2019 at 8:30pm
	The bolt with the spacer is there to hold everything in place when welding. Worked on it today and got the axle mounts about half way done, still need to make some more parts and then weld it all up and powder coat them. Next will be the adjustable link that will go between the two mounts.

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: 2587	Posted: 03 Mar 2019 at 8:46pm
	Now, that's some really nice work, Toyanvil. Uh, er, we're going to be passing through B'field on the way to L.A. in April or May. Would you mind throwing together another set? Just kidding, but it looks like FR may want to work out a deal with you for the newer Pods. I hope you've talked to a patent lawyer.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Toyanvil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2019 Location: Bakersfield Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 03 Mar 2019 at 8:56pm
	Thank you, I just hope it works. My hobby is metal working, so this is fun for me. I have been modifying my 1961 Sunbeam Alpine for the last 42 years

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 04 Mar 2019 at 4:35am
	Toyanvil, looking good. Were you able to get the axle recambered? Was the axle tube being bent the only issue you found? Thanks
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Toyanvil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2019 Location: Bakersfield Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 04 Mar 2019 at 8:13am
	When I am all done with the supports I will have it re-cambered and have the alignment shop preload the adjustable links a little. The only thing I found with the axle was it had lost it's camber, it is now almost flat with less then an 1/8 inch of arch.

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: 6288	Posted: 04 Mar 2019 at 8:29am
	How do you intend to attach this to your axle? I don't see enough space on it for U bolts. Drilling through it and bolting would work since the place where it would attach would be the same place that the internal part of the axle would need to move for your suspension to work. Even drilling and using short screws would not work since the screws would also very likely interfere with the internal movement of the axle. Welding it to your axle is also not feasible as it would cook the rubber inside that provides your suspension support. The slideshow on the Lippert page shows what a cross-section of the axle looks like in the 5th and 6th slides (see dots below picture). https://www.lci1.com/torsion-axles#about Edit: I got to thinking more about this and it might work but it would require modification of your design. In brief, add wings to each side of the bracket and then either use a "V" bolt or fabricate another section of channel with similar wings to the top piece and then use bolts through the wings to attach the bracket to the axle. Here is a line drawing of what I think would work (I don't claim to be an artist):
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS