Tire tilt

Deere Dude · Nov 5, 2011

I received for free a 2000# cap. axle with hubs. It had a bend in the center portion of the axle so during a welding class we straightened it and put a square tube over it. It is very straight.
After storing it for 15 years, I decided to dig it out and put springs on it make a small trailer, just for something to do, basically.

I put two 8" wheels and tires on it and they spun easily so the bearing are good. The perceived problem I may have is; with no springs on it, when I turn the axle while the axle and wheel assembly is on a table, the wheels tilt in and out. It seems when the axle is in the position it would be in when hooked up to a trailer, the bottom of the tires, both of them, are in about 1/2" and that would mean the tops are out about the same.

Now, I understand that bigger axles like mobile home axles are not perfectly straight, but have a higher center so when a big load is on it, the center will come down to some extent and then maybe be straight from the weight.

I would like to sort through this before I put any time into it and a weld a bunch of angle iron together. I know I can get axles at the store for $100 or so, but I already have this.

Any philosophical tidbits will help.

Thanks

Dmace · Nov 5, 2011

Not sure if this helps but I have had a couple of brand new snowmobile trailers and they all have the bend in the center of the axle.

Iplayfarmer · Nov 8, 2011

As I understand your description, the wheels wobble when you turn the axle. Do they wobble when you turn the wheels with the axle still?

You should be fine to put this axle under a trailer as it is unless the wheels wobble when they turn. If the wheels do wobble, you'll eat tires.

bdog · Nov 9, 2011

You will probably be ok if you mount it to where the bottoms of the tires are closer together than the tops. The weight of the trailer will have a tendency to push them out. I have bent several trailer axles over the years from overloading and every time the bottoms kicked out. One time after this happened I simply flipped the axle over to where the bottom was kicked in and it worked fine.

Dmace · Nov 9, 2011

You guys are missing the fact that he straightened out an axle that was meant to be bent. That is why the wheels don't go around in a straight line. The axle is now bent incorrectly.

Deere Dude · Nov 10, 2011

Dmace said:
You guys are missing the fact that he straightened out an axle that was meant to be bent. That is why the wheels don't go around in a straight line. The axle is now bent incorrectly.

If I remember correctly, when I straightened the axle, it was because it was really bent, like it hooked on something or something was dropped on it or maybe really overloaded. I don't remember if it was bent up or down either and I did not ask the owner what it was bent from. I don't believe the bend was a little high in the center like I understand axles are supposed to be. But like I said, that was a long time ago and I can't even remember where I put my shoes without asking my wife.:ashamed:

As I think about it now, if it did have the correct bend and I straightened that out, then the wheels would have a lot more toe in than it has now. Even if I would put a slight bend in right now the wheels would be toed in more than I would be comfortable with.

I think it's a job that can wait until spring now. It's getting to sloppy outside to start another project. That's for all your advice, but if anyone has anything else to add, I will happily read and consider it.
Thanks

Dmace · Nov 10, 2011

Technically, if you straightened out a regular axle which has a slight bend upwards then your camber would be off, the tow would not change. Look for uneven wear on the inside of the tire like an overloaded vehicle.

Diamondpilot · Nov 10, 2011

I have stayed out of this one till this point. This is something I have dealt with about 15 times in my time. It never pays to fix or straiten a axle. For what a new one cost just scrap it. You can save the hubs and bearing along with brakes if equipped. I have only seen one axle straitened that worked 100% afterwords. Most end up eating tires and for what they cost one set of eaten tires is what a new axle would cost you.

You are walking over a dollar here to pick up a penny in my opinion.

Chris

Deere Dude · Nov 10, 2011

Diamondpilot said:
I have stayed out of this one till this point. This is something I have dealt with about 15 times in my time. It never pays to fix or straiten a axle. For what a new one cost just scrap it. You can save the hubs and bearing along with brakes if equipped. I have only seen one axle straitened that worked 100% afterwords. Most end up eating tires and for what they cost one set of eaten tires is what a new axle would cost you.

You are walking over a dollar here to pick up a penny in my opinion.

Chris

Probably right. I can almost visualize me building a trailer to accommodate this axle and then find the new tires are shot in a short time. Then I would have to by a new axle and lengthen or shorten it to make it fit my trailer. :confused2::confused2: