R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Bent axle
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Bent axle

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
jeepers29 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 06 Apr 2022
Location: TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
Post Options Post Options   Quote jeepers29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bent axle
    Posted: 21 Apr 2022 at 7:50am
thank you
Back to Top
jeepers29 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 06 Apr 2022
Location: TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
Post Options Post Options   Quote jeepers29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2022 at 7:49am
Thank you
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288
Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Apr 2022 at 8:37pm
Use the link in my signature to view my mods. I have pictures in there.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
offgrid View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Apr 2022 at 11:03am
You should be able to find my post on this using the advanced search. Probably you'll need to go back to 2018 or so IIRC.
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
Back to Top
jeepers29 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 06 Apr 2022
Location: TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
Post Options Post Options   Quote jeepers29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Apr 2022 at 2:25pm
Can you please suppy pics of your axle fix.  I will be picking up a new 180 in the next week or so and would like to address this now, before it becomes an issue.  Thanks, Joel
Back to Top
offgrid View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Dec 2019 at 2:29pm
The Lippert torsion axles are shipped crowned in the center giving them a bit of positive camber. This flattens out a bit under load. My very simple approach to reinforcement is to add a piece of 3/16 or 1/4 steel angle under the axle clamped to the axle with two square u bolts mounted at 45 degree angles at each end. No welding is required. The angle should be crowned in the center to mate up to a properly crowned axle tube.

To determine if you axle is properly crowned run a string line from one end of your axle to the other and measure the gap in the center. If should be around 1/4 to 3/8 inch. Less is an indication that the axle is bent.

If the gap is ok then your negative camber issue on the drivers wheel might not be the axle tube. It could be the spindle or the rubber cords in the torsion assembly, in which case a new axle is the only practical fix.
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288
Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 2019 at 7:15am
Originally posted by Toyanvil

It would be better and cheaper to just have a good frame shop in your town re-align your axle and then reinforce it. It is most likely just out of alignment and not bent, axles are built straight and then bent to align it with the trailer. A new axle will do the same thing if not reinforced. I had mine re-aligned for $200. and then I reinforced it, no more problems and that was almost a year ago.
Here is my axle before and after, both sides were the same when I bought the trailer used.

Great! I was wondering how your axle reinforcement has worked out. I would have preferred to use your version but I had neither the expertise nor the tools to make them nor did I know anyone who could have made them for me. My version has worked out okay so far. I no longer have the excess wear on the inside edges of the tires. We are on our third trip with the reinforcement (and second axle with the reinforcement put on due to the previous axle having a faulty weld for the brake mounting plate). We want to head out toward Alaska next year so having a good axle that won't cause excess tire wear is important.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
Iceworm View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 13 Dec 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Post Options Post Options   Quote Iceworm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Dec 2019 at 1:30am
Yes, that is what I need. First picture looks very similar to mine. I sent an email off to Dexter for their opinion. Our nearest town is 100 miles and next town that might have that type of shop is Anchorage 330 miles, but I am going to take your advice and make a few phone calls to see if I can locate anyone that can tweak the axle. To get a new one, shipping alone is going to be extreme.
Back to Top
Toyanvil View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 15 Feb 2019
Location: Bakersfield
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 157
Post Options Post Options   Quote Toyanvil Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 2019 at 9:13pm
It would be better and cheaper to just have a good frame shop in your town re-align your axle and then reinforce it. It is most likely just out of alignment and not bent, axles are built straight and then bent to align it with the trailer. A new axle will do the same thing if not reinforced. I had mine re-aligned for $200. and then I reinforced it, no more problems and that was almost a year ago.
Here is my axle before and after, both sides were the same when I bought the trailer used.


Back to Top
Iceworm View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 13 Dec 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Post Options Post Options   Quote Iceworm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 2019 at 1:42pm
OK thanks fellows,

I have followed most of your previous posts and have seen the mods on reinforcements. I will take all into consideration.

I found a sticker on the axle (paper) about a year ago and anticipating future need wrote the numbers down in my log book. Some of the numbers were already not very legible so questionable. A metal tag would have been wiser.

I don't think I won't the hassle of dealing with FR for warranty, so I will try your suggestions of writing an axle company with the numbers I got off the axle tag and see where it goes.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz