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Topic ClosedMy version of axle support plan B

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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: My version of axle support plan B
    Posted: 11 May 2019 at 2:32pm
We have a neighbor/friend who is a metalsmith. He has all the toys, er tools needed to do this sort of thing. Unfortunately, California is quite the distance for many of you.
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marwayne View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2019 at 1:19pm
I tried that , but you come to a point where you just lift the trailer. You would have to be able to somehow tie down the axle on both sides.
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2019 at 1:06pm
Terrible video but here's a guy straightening a leaf spring axle with a bottle jack. 

If a shop isn't available that will do it, the same basic idea should work for the torsion axle but you would need probably a 1/4 inch thick or better short piece of 3 inch steel angle to protect the torsion axle tube from getting pushed in by the bottle jack. If the axle is still crowned you could place the jack at the frame attach point on the side that shows negative camber. If its flat in the middle then place it in the middle. Not for the faint of heart, but better than just cranking down on the 1/2 inch bolt I think. Take your time, release and measure, and please be careful. 

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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2019 at 11:04am
So for everyone who wants to have Sunshine Brake and Alignment fix their axles, it's a fine Nevada company about 50 minutes from my house.  Come on out to the Silver State and you'll never want to go back.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2019 at 9:55am
toyanvil, I agree with the recommendation that marwayne try to find a good shop to do his axle straightening.

One thing though, an axle that is de-cambered is bent. If the steel hadn't reached its yield point it would have returned to its original shape once the stress was removed (elastic deformation). Once the yield stress in exceeded it will no longer return to its previous shape (plastic deformation). It will take on a permanent strain/bend.  It will also become work hardened and more brittle.The next time it is over loaded it will take more stress to bend it further.  The good thing here is that we're taking about pretty small deflection angles because the tube is so stiff so its not like these things are getting bent into pretzels. 

Here is an interesting video discussing this and showing one way to straighten/recamber an axle. 


I could maybe see trying to do this at home with a high capacity jack if a safe way could be found to cradle the axle and chains. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2019 at 8:46am
Marwayne, you need to find a good frame shop that works on trailers. If your axle is bent, it needs to be replaced. If your axle has lost it camber (it's now flat across) it needs to be aligned. The shop I used has a 50 ton press to align the axle. I would not use you supports to try and re-camber your axle, it needs to be done in between your frame rails and you will not be able to set the toe in. When the shop was done with mine, the tires are now plumb with the trailer checking with a digital level. I check mine after each trip, if it changes, even one degee I will add a center support like yours.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2019 at 4:42am
Originally posted by marwayne

1/2"  I went there they told me, ones there bend you have to replace them. 

Should be about 32 fl lb max dry or 24 lubricated assuming a standard low carbon bolt and coarse threads. That ought to  develop around 5000 lbs of force which the bolt can take but I doubt your support assembly can. So be careful not to bend something (like your frame rail Thumbs Down)

If you can apply enough force (needs to be around that 5000 lb range) then that ought to bend the axle end back and remove the negative camber but don't leave that force on it, you wouldn't have any capacity left in the reinforcement assembly to handle any future bumps. 

I never asked my local shop if they could straighten my axle because it wasn't bent, but I know it can be done. toyanvil just had his done. So you might want to try calling around some other places to see if they'd be willing to give it a try. 

Good luck!
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marwayne View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2019 at 1:29pm
1/2"  I went there they told me, ones there bend you have to replace them. 
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2019 at 1:12pm
Marwayne, what dia bolts are they? I’ll look it up but I recommend you take the axle to an axle shop and have them recamber it for you. Putting enough force to straighten it the way it sounds like you’re thinking is highly likely to bend the extensions you made first. It’s going to require around 3-4 thousand pounds to do it.
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marwayne View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2019 at 12:30pm
Offgrid, here is my ? to you. In the pic you can see that my wheels are just slightly slanted out. So how much torque can 3 nuts take before they strip the bolt.


If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.


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