Are axles supposed to bend upward or downward?
I'm assuming the axles are bending downward? Axles, when mounted properly, will have a slight upward arc in them, which is designed to level out once weight is added to the trailer.
What is the purpose of the curvature of a trailer axle?
The purpose and effect of this curvature is further elaborated in an Eastern Marine article: Most trailer axles are designed with a “bend” in the tube that will deflect when the load (weight of the trailer) is applied. This will theoretically bring the trailer wheel camber toward a 0 value that is the best setting for most trailer applications.
Can the axles of a car be bent?
No, axles should not be bent. To double-check you would need a known straight-edge, like a level or a "square" (which is actually shaped like an L), and hold that up against the axle (s) If you see light between the two then the axles are not 100% straight. The measuring tool should be pretty long, approximately the same length as the axles.
Should axle camber be visible on a trailer?
A trailer that runs long distances without a load may be better without axle camber. An example of this might be a long distance boat transport trailer. As to whether the bend would be visible: at minimum if you held a straightedge up to the axle (long level for instance) it should be visible.
Are trailer axles supposed to have a bend in them?
First, axles are supposed to be bent. All major axle manufacturers apply a slight bend to the axles called Camber. If you look under your trailer you will see a very noticeable upward bend to the car or equipment trailer axle.
Why do trailer axles look bent?
When the trailer is under load, the axle's weight pushes down, making the axles straighter, and the tires sit flat; this helps increase the tire's contact surface, even weight distribution, tire wear, and alignment. Without the Camber, the axle might sag when under load, increasing additional wear on the inner tread.
How much bend should a trailer axle have?
view full answer... Should Trailer Axle Have Slight Upward Bend You did not specify which way your axle was bent, but a trailer axle such as the Dexter Trailer Axle Beam #T3584F-EZ-8974 should have a slight upward bend, as you should be able to see in the accompanying photo of this axle installed.
What causes axles to bend?
This can occur during an auto accident, running over a curb, or even hitting a particularly deep pothole at higher speeds. The result is a bent axle.
How do you straighten a bent axle?
1:0517:25How to Straighten a Mildly Bent Superduty Front Axle with HeatYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd probably even use my tig torch. And just heat an area at the front right here and then i'm goingMoreAnd probably even use my tig torch. And just heat an area at the front right here and then i'm going to quench it with ice. And see if i can get the metal to shrink. And bring the tube.
How do you tell if you have a bent axle on a trailer?
0:512:19How to check your trailer axle if it's bent or skewed because of worn tiresYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd as you see. It's got a gap. And it closes up. And as I turn the axle down. Here. So if you everMoreAnd as you see. It's got a gap. And it closes up. And as I turn the axle down. Here. So if you ever go by an axle on new axle because yours is bent make sure you bring your tires.
Are Dexter axles supposed to be bent?
Dexter axles are bent to align them. That bend can be in the middle or to one side. The only way you can check for damage, is to check the alignment. There should be a small tow in and there should also be a slight camber, which means the top of the tire should stick out a little further than the bottom.
How much camber should a trailer axle have?
The specifications of the axle state that there should be . 5 degrees of camber on each side (probably accomplished with axle tube bend).
Can you fix a bent axle?
Can A Bent Axle Be Repaired? In most cases a bent axle cannot be repaired and must be replaced. A bad axle will lead to other damage to your vehicle down the line. So it's critical that the axle be in great condition to avoid other costly repairs.
Are trailer axles bowed?
A trailer axle should actually be bowed upwards in the middle and not downwards. When the trailer is loaded with your boat, that upward bow will flatten out and your tires will make even contact with the ground.
What are the symptoms of a bent axle?
Bad vehicle vibrations after a collision with a bad pothole, unexpected curb, or other objects may indicate axle damage. Vibrations may be accompanied by an unusual rumbling noise underneath the vehicle, strange tire wobbling, or sluggish driving and steering, which may indicate a bent axle.
How is trailer axle position calculated?
To know how far back the axle needs to be moved, we want to subtract the trailer's tongue weight from 10 percent of the total weight. Then we will divide this number by the total weight. Then we will multiply this by the distance from the tongue to the axle.
How do you square a trailer axle?
1:0411:35HOW TO ACCURATELY PLACE AND SQUARE TRAILER AXLES ] Step ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI go about doing this. So before I pulled off the axle. I mark the axle centerline and that's whereMoreI go about doing this. So before I pulled off the axle. I mark the axle centerline and that's where I am right now I'm back on that axle centerline the rule of thumb with this.
How do you measure a torsion axle angle?
0:083:19Trailer Canada - How to Measure Torsion Axle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere we are measuring the bolt pattern from a five-fold spring axle. If you have an axle with a 5MoreHere we are measuring the bolt pattern from a five-fold spring axle. If you have an axle with a 5 bolt wheel you will need to check the wheel bolt pattern or bolt circle.
Why do trailer axles have bows?
If you have axles that are rated for considerably more than what the trailer will ever have loaded then the bow will be too extreme and tire wear issues will arise.
What is the difference between a 4 way trailer connector and a 7 way trailer connector?
What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer… view full answer...
What is the difference between a Class II and Class III hitch?
What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch? The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to… view full answer...
Is camber on torsion axles abnormal?
A slight positive camber on torsion axles isn't abnormal and like with a standard axle is by design. Once the trailer is loaded up this will be corrected. 60198
Do you need a 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck?
Do I Have to Have a Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch in a Short Bed Truck You do not have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in a short bed truck. In many cases, truck beds shorter than 8 ft do not have enough clearance between the trailer and truck to execute sharp turns. This is why sliding hitches were invented. Due to… view full answer...
Why do trailers have bows?
Trailer axles typically have the bow ... in them to help compensate for the vertical load they bear and still have proper wheel camber. This way when the load is put on them the axle will flatten out and the wheels will be aligned properly.
What is the best setting for trailer axles?
This will theoretically bring the trailer wheel camber toward a 0 value that is the best setting for most trailer applications.
How to check for straightness of axle?
If you're looking for a cheap and cheerful way to check for straightness, get a laser pointer. If you set it next to axle on one end, you can run a reflector right down the axle and see that the dot isn't moving relative to the hopefully straight axle.
Can you see a bend on a straight edge?
As to whether the bend would be visible: at minimum if you held a straightedge up to the axle (long level for instance) it should be visible. It may be hard to detect otherwise, particularly because you often can't get a good unobstructed view of the axle.
Can you measure from the ground to the axle tube?
If this measurement technique is not possible, you may be able to measure from the ground to the axle tube at several intervals. This might reveal any discrepancies but they would have to be significant enough to measure.
Do axles have a curvature?
Just because some axles have deliberate curva ture doesn't mean all bends are good! The axles the articles are describing would I think always have either a consistent, gentle curve or at least be symmetrical. This is distinguished from bends from damage which would almost certainly not be symmetrical (left-right) and could show other signs of proximate damage from whatever caused it.
