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rpod 178 axle

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3968
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 11:10am
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Topic: rpod 178 axle
Posted By: joe W
Subject: rpod 178 axle
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 9:09pm
Picked up our rpod 178 in Lansing MI during June this year and covered 3000 miles so far. No problems
until last week. Camping at the National Seashore of Assateague Island we got stuck in the sand and
had to do some manouvering to get going again. Once back home, I discovered that the rear axle
was bent. Never thought my F 150 Ford with 2 wheel drive could do such harm. Anybody has an idea
what the replacement cost could be and where to get a new one?
Thanks, JoeAngry


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happy wanderer



Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 9:44pm
Welcome.  In what way is it bent?  I've seen some which have a natural arch upward - but I don't know if the two versions used on the pods have this.  Its dark out so I can't go check mine.

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 12:08am
I have the Dexter axel it has an arch.

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




Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 9:21am
Originally posted by marwayne

I have the Dexter axel it has an arch.

^ same!


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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 9:52am
If it appears to be bent "up".. that is the way they are made. 

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Posted By: joe W
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 2:14pm
What a nice gang of frogs. Thanks for your interest and suggestions. Right  now it is 91 degr. outside,
but will go and check tomorrow. My left wheel , just as my right, was perfectly centered under the
fender, now it is almost three inches closer to the front edge and very visibly out of center. When I
looked underneath, it appeared as if someone had put a jack underneath the tube and tried to raise
the trailer. It is arched up and it appeared as if there was a tiny kink in it.
Thanks. To be continued. 


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happy wanderer


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 2:45pm
Its possible the bolts holding the axle to the frame have come loose and you just need to recenter it and retorque the bolts.  If you have the risers the holes allow for adjustment front-to-rear.

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: joe W
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 3:09pm
Flickering hope. Took a quick look, braving the heat and looming severe thundersorm. The arch
is too perfect to be accidental and my risers were installed Friday PM by a crew anxious to start
the week end. Torque wrench?? Tomorrow - the day the truth will be known.
Thanks. tbc.


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happy wanderer


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 8:20pm

That was a wild storm front that came through earlier.  I was near Westminster at the time.  No power at home for 2 1/2 hours.

Sounds very likely they didn't install it right, one way or the other.



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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: joe W
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 7:30pm
Happy ending. Checked all bolts. ok. checked for any movement of risers. ok. measured both fenders
from the rear.ok. measured wheel rims (horn) to frame forward and aft on both wheels. ok
Used carpenters level to check trailer - listing to the left. With spindle center above axle center, the
left wheel moved closer to the front of the fender because of the trailing arm radius.
Conclusion: the arch of the axle beam had me in a panic. The left wheel being closer to the front of the fender seemed to confirm my suspicion. My bad adventur in the State Park made it abvious.
Not unusual - I always start out assuming the worst, to be prooven wrong. Thanks for all your help,
particularly the arch fact.
 
For what it is worth: After the first 1000 miles I removed the spare wheel and bracket. Mounted it
to the tongue. Trailer was a little nervous on the Turnpike and I do not want to install a stabilzer.
Keeping any loads behind the axle to a minimum and moving the spare wheel made a difference.
 
Installed mud flaps for the pod and my Ford F 150. Highly recommended.
 
Switching off the overdrive on my truck (V8) a must through hilly terrain. ATF gauge moves towards
the red quickly going up a long incline. No difference in MPG, cool running transm. and no strain on engine. Adds only appr. 750 rpms to engine speed.
 
Love our rpod.


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happy wanderer


Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 10:21pm
happy wanderer:  just curious as to your comment regarding your atf gauge on your f150 moving to the red quickly on long inclines.  Mine has never gotten to the halfway mark and I have driven in some pretty hilly terrain.  I guess i am assuming you have the factory tranny cooler.  just concerned if it is running that hot.  hogone


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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD


Posted By: joe W
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2013 at 8:37am
Heading from Maryland north into PA and the mountains the tow was moving at 65 mph in overdrive
beyond the point of kick down by the transmission. I could have forced the kick down but was waiting
to see what would happen. Mine is the 4.6 ltr. V8 without the additional ATF cooler in front of the
radiator. Once getting out of OD the ATF gauge went back to the center and all was well. Engine temp.
gauge did not idicate any increase. Have no complaints. Do like the more free-wheeling engine when
going uphill - rather then lugging along until some program decides to shift down. Love to carry all
kinds of stuff in the truck and keeping the pod relatively light and nimble.
 

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happy wanderer


Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2013 at 9:28am
I am with Hogone. My transmission temp gauge never gets anywhere near the red. I have the 5.4 engine and a factory tow package that includes a cooler. That must be the difference.

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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150



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