Utility Trailer Axle Alignment?

[greatwhite]

I think my trailer axle is out of alignment (Bent). I see on youtube how they can realign them again essentially bending them back. Has anyone had this done before where did you have it done and what did you pay?

[mastercaster]

We use to loosen the u-bolts and turn the axel so that the bow was facing up, and once the trailer was loaded the bow would straighten out. Might have to over load the trailer to completely straighten it.

MC

[MikePal]

There is a shop ( Stu Empey's) on Hwy 43 just west of Kemptville that does than kind of work

http://www.manta.com/ic/mt69m4m/ca/e...ng-fabricating

BUT, Princess Auto sells axles for under $300....might not be worth the effort for that cost.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/b/tra...axles/N-rvoeo7

[seabast]

We use to loosen the u-bolts and turn the axel so that the bow was facing up, and once the trailer was loaded the bow would straighten out. Might have to over load the trailer to completely straighten it.

MC

Done that too.

[greatwhite]

I thought about a new axle I only need the 200o pound axle and it is on sale for 100 bucks. But to put it on I might have to do some modifications and or welding. I know longer have all the equipment I use to have in the garage as all the big tools were a friend of mine and now that he bought a house he took them back. Cheap bugger he should have bought new stuff and left me the old.

I have heard prices from 75.00 + to it's not worth it.

There is a shop ( Stu Empey's) on Hwy 43 just west of Kemptville that does than kind of work

http://www.manta.com/ic/mt69m4m/ca/e...ng-fabricating

BUT, Princess Auto sells axles for under $300....might not be worth the effort for that cost.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/b/tra...axles/N-rvoeo7

[greatwhite]

Just slack off the Ubolts and turn the axle? Then just load down heavy with firewood or something?

Done that too.

[mastercaster]

Yup, not too heavy or you'll bend it past straight. You could stick a bottle jack between the axel and the trailer, after you rotate the axel, and jack the axel straight, as long as the trailer bead is heavy duty enough, or with a load on the bed.

MC

[MikePal]

Just slack off the Ubolts and turn the axle? Then just load down heavy with firewood or something?

GW, it's easier if you turn it so the hump on the axle to faces the front of the trailer and hook up the trailer to a car. Then fasten a 2 Ton cum-along to the axle and the other end to a big tree or other vehicle. Now if your a true redneck you'd use the vehicle power to pull it.....but it's safer if you just use the ratchet on the cum-along and pull it till it's straight(er).

[fishy steve]

find a dial indicator, and run it along the trailer, find the bent spot and put a jack under that spot, will need someting to hold the trailer down though, such as a tractor loader...

but as mentioned probably be cheaper just to throw a new axle under it... be a good time to upgrade to a 3500 lb axle to prevent it from bending again... take your measurements to a trailer shop and he will have the right size axle for you, dont rely on princess auto's sizes... if not he will size it for you... my guy did anyways...

how do you know its bent? ussually a bent axle you will pop bearings pretty fast on...

[WHTLHNTR]

???...most axles have the spring saddles welded to the axle...if this is the case with yours you will only be able to rotate axle 180 degrees...taking it from above the leaf spring to the under the leaf.....most trailer axles are seldom perfectly straight..they are built with a slight curve/arch in them ...when installed they are high in the center .....