How to Straighten a Bent Trailer Axle？
Trailer axles typically have the bow in them to help compensate for the vertical load they bear and still have proper wheel camber. Most trailer axles are designed with a “bend” in the tube that will deflect when the load (weight of the trailer) is applied.
The reason axles have an upward arc to them is so that when a load is placed on them they straighten out and let your tires run evenly. When the inside of the tread on your tires wears on the inside that you are overloading the axle which is causing it to bend down too much.
Check for a bent wheel by jacking the tire off the ground and giving it a spin. If it's bent, you'll see it wobbling. You can sort of reading those gaps to identify what the problem is. After determining the problem, we can straighten the trailer axle through the following steps.
1. Jack up the trailer and support the trailer bed with jack stands. Remove the tires and loosen the U-bolts with a socket wrench. These bolts hold the axle to the shackle springs. Once removed, lower the axle and support it on two additional jack stands.
2. Lay an 8-foot level on the axle and locate the low area where the impact occurred. This indent is the point of stress created during the impact. Rotate the axle, spin it several times, and take precise readings with the level. Be certain that the point of impact is correct. Place a mark with the chalk on this point.
3. Rotate the axle 180 degrees (opposite) the mark on the impact site. This is the "bulging" side of the bend. With a grinder that has a thin, metal-cutting blade, cut into the bulge, going halfway around the axle. Lay a hardwood block on the cut and use a heavy shop hammer to drive the cut closed. This takes several sharp blows to accomplish. Continually use the level to ensure that the axle is straight.
4. Tack-weld the closed cut in several places with a wire-feed welder. (The axle will not shrink, recreating a bend.) Allow the tack welds to cool. Reconfirm that the axle is straight by using the level on all points around the axle. Make any modifications as needed before welding the cut completely closed.
Weld the cut closed when the level readings are good. Finish the weld by grinding the metal smooth. Spray a durable, black paint that will withstand the elements. This step will prevent rust formations on the axle repair.
As an expert in researching trailer axles for many years, HAWAY can give you some professional advice to a certain extent. If you want to learn about related services, you can send us your needs, and we will provide you with a satisfactory answer in time.
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