Trailer axle/spindle repair question

[backlash442]

Can you replace the spindle w/out having to replace the entire axle? I was told by one shop that I can't. Called NR (their custom trailer) but are closed today.

[Keta]

You can but I would suggest an axle replacement rather than just the spindle, line up is critical.

[WaterDog]

If it's a torsion type axle you'll need the whole axle.

[backlash442]

By torsion do you mean no leaf springs? I don't have any but then that's why I was able to still drive w/out the wheel.

[WaterDog]

Yeah, the torsion axles have no leaf springs. The spindle is pressed into a rubber or poly type material that is in the axle tube that flexs hence the "torsion". I've burned 2 spindles myself. :hoboy:

[Keta]

I've burned 2 spindals myself



Sounds like a fabrication/manufacturer problem. Is this the problem Mr. F is having too?

[WaterDog]

I don't know about Ray's problems. I talked to the manufacturer yesterday at the show and will be converting my trailer to the oil bath system shortly. I looked at just getting a new custom trailer but I don't think I can justify that to the Mrs., Yet. :smirk:

[Keta]

Just tell her you are getting a new trailer http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/1305gonnagetit.gif :grin:

D'oh, Better yet http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/1305love-smiley-087.gif

[backlash442]

Any idea how your spindles went out? I had stopped at a gas station about 30-40 miles before it went out and everything was fine. I think I hit a pothole but then you'd think the front tire would be the one to go out and not the rear. Lucky for me a car flashed his lights and yelled that I had sparks coming off the trailer. Even luckier that I was off the freeway when the wheel came off and was able to recover it. Pucker factor definitely higher the rest of the way home. Didn't like going 50 when everyone else is doing 70+.

So who makes the oil bath axle? Going to see if NR will ship a new axle and spindles down to me.

[WaterDog]

I dragged one tub all the way home with the hub riding on the spindle. Have no idea how the wheel rode that way. :shrug: Never even felt like there was a problem.

Cause? Bearings went south and scored the spindle. Need to pull them apart every year and repack and replace. I think they should last longer than that but what do I know. I found that it does not matter how often they are greased.

Google up Liqua-lube if NR can't do it. My trailer is an Ez-Loader and this year the trailers come with the oil bath system as standard epuipment.

Keta, yeah right. :rolleyes: I wish.

[boater]

I had stopped at a gas station about 30-40 miles before it went out and everything was fine.



did you look at all your bearing buddys to make sure none of the caps had compressed all the way in ?.

[YaHoeeFishOn]

Could it have been one of those Tricker trailer bad axels ?
They had bad run that NR put under their boats. Call NR and complain .

[Keta]

The bearing manufactures like to say that their bearings will last 1000 years. If kept cool, clean and well lubed. Too much grease is as bad as not enough.




Keta, yeah right. I wish.




Waterdog,
Life is always in between :shrug:

[backlash442]

Trailer is a NR custom. Not sure whose components they use. Will call tomorrow but did leave a message. Yes I looked at the bearing caps and all fine. Come to think of it even after the wheel fell off the thing was still all the way out!

[Brian Brush]

backlash442,

If you can provide me the serial number of your boat and your phone number, I will get this info to the customer service guy in the A.M. and have him call you. We switched axle manufactors a couple of years ago and the axle mounts different today then it did two years ago. We will see what we can do.

Brian Brush

[backlash442]

Sent you a PM Brian.

[northriver1]

Last summer I went through two axles on my custom NR trailer. I am beginning to wonder if there is a pattern here.

[backlash442]

What was the reason for the two going out?

NR has been very helpful.

[Good News Tuna]

Last spindle I lost was due to bearing failure also. If you drive on it long enough the whole wheel comes off (dont ask).

[Gregotis98]

These tosion axles came on my new Loamaster Trailer and are very trick. http://www.tiedown.com/btorsion.html


Sort of a poor picture, but the whole hub and spindle come out of the tosion bar and replace as a unit plus the spindle has a grease fitting built in it that goes all the way thru. My spare tire is mounted to the trailer with the whole spindle and hub already bolted to it. If you have a failure just undo the castle nut on the back of the spindle and pound the unit out and beat in the extra mounted to the spare.

I hope that makes sense

[backlash442]

Yeah I know what you mean. At least I got my wheel though.

How often you guys grease? I've been told every 300 miles to maybe every 3000 miles with the laters line of thinking was you don't grease your car that ofen so why do you need to grease your trailer? That from a boat builder. I know to much grease can be bad too as you can blow out your rear seal. Learned that the hard way.

That link was pretty good. Nice to be able to swap out the spindle like that. Only problem my axle is 30 degrees and they don't make it. I'd have to swap out both.

[WaterDog]

Greg, that is trick. :cool:

Guys, you don't submerge your car axle in water, at least I hope you don't. You should get used to R&R'ing those bearings every year. This is where the oil bath may be the ticket. You know the bearings are staying lubed and heck you could easily change the oil twice a year just to be safe since all you do is unscrew the plug.

[pksgundogs]

I thought I was pretty meticulous with my maintenance until my torsion type Easy Loader blew a hub on the way to Hells Canyon last year. Had checked it several times along the way, and it seemed fine until I got to a fuel stop where I checked it again. Very hot to the touch. Pulled off to the side and jacked it up. Total play in the hub. Took it apart immediately. The wheel bearings came out in bits and dust. Had to replace the whole torsion beam axle. You cant replace just one spindle on the pressed in torsion rubber block assembly. Now I am even more meticulous on my maintenance. Mandatory annual bearing replacement and repack as before, but now I always pump fresh grease into the hubs at the ramp prior to dumping the boat in the water, especially when the hubs are warmed up from a long tow to the launch, and I pump more grease in immediately after pulling the trailer out of the water when I am taking out. This purges any water out of the hubs. Carrying a spare hub in the tool box as well. Always have the grease gun locked and loaded on the road.