Step by step trailer axle build...pics added

[Stinky_Hooker]

Picked up the axle parts....will commence project trailer axle build today or tomorrow. *::)

[tsubaki]

Build,rebuild or repair. Dang just tease us a little will you ;D ;D

[msbhammer]

That or snap a few pics. of what ya thinking of doing. ;D

[Stinky_Hooker]

Well here we go guys....a step by step trailer axle build.


Here are my new spindles. They are 1&1/8 outer and 1&3/8 inner. The same size as my old axle. I picked them up for 20 bucks each from a local boat trailer parts house.

The two plates you see are two pieces of 4"x4"x1/4" thick steel that I cut for my axle ends. Nothing fancy about them, just 1/4" plate.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/trailer1.jpg


Next I measured for the size holes that are needed in the center of each plate for the new spindles. ( I really knew the size, I just used the caliper to feel smart.) ;D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/trailer2.jpg


I then measured out the center for my hole on the plates. 2" each way.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/trailer3.jpg

I Drilled the holes with the appropriate size hole saw (about 1&7/8")

I clamped the work for safety and supplied a steady amount of cutting oil to prevent blade wear..


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/trailer4.jpg


I then ran the plates around a rotary file to give me a clean finish.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/trailer5.jpg


Voilà! A nice clean fit like I needed.




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/trailer6.jpg


Progress will continue after work today...thats all I can get done right now. Yesterday evening I went ahead and blocked up the trailer/boat and removed the old tires and hubs. One hub is in good shape because it was new last year, but the other side will require new bearings/seal if not the hole hub. I will have to finish cleaning up and inspecting this afternoon.


The axle tube will be built out of 2"x2"x 1/4" thick square stock. I also have new u bolts and spring perches as my old axle was round so none of that stuff will swap over. This axle setup that I am building (same materials) is rated @ 3500# from the trailer supply. However mine will cost less than half of what they want for the new one.


Stay tuned..... :D

[msbhammer]

Good work Stink. ;)

[Mulv80]

I think we all know whats missing from this thread, heres a hint its pink and frilly ;)

[Blue_Runner]

Yesterday evening I went ahead and blocked up the trailer/boat and removed the old tires and hubs.
Me too! *Rotating my tires and I have one that is wearing alot worse than the others. *I noticed there is a little bit of play in the hubs - I'm thinking I need to tighten them down right? *Or will the play just come back even if I do? *I've heard that you should jack them up and check and retighten if necessary. *Your thoughts?

I'm installing new bearing buddies too.

Good job Stink.

[reelapeelin]

Stink one thing I REELY enjoy is watchin' someone work who KNOWS what he's doin' 8) ... thanks for postin' up this thread...this is gonna be fun ;) ...

[Stinky_Hooker]

It really depends on how much ''play''. if its just a SLIGHT looseness then a retighten may last u awhile but if there is some sure enough wobble going on you may have some pitted bearings that are getting hot. If they are getting hot then a replace is in order. the only way to know is to pull the hub and inspect.

[parishht]

So Stink, you got some machine shop training? ;)

Looks good.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Rap, I ain't never been so wrongly accused...what you said was downright slander.... ;D



So Stink, you got some machine shop training? ;)



Negative parishht , just try and use the ol noodle to figure out the best way I can to do things with the tools I have. ;)



Thanks though. 8)




I wish we all lived in one neighborhood and we could get together in the evenings and tear crap up! :D


The Wellcraft V 20 Garage......what a saga that would be! ::)

[macojoe]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200330481_200330481

[Stinky_Hooker]

thanks MJ, but you are missing the point. ::)

[Blue_Runner]

Well I guess if you have the time to mess with it have at it Stink. Its all I can do to replace the parts after I buy them, let alone MANUFACTURE the parts myself.

I hear ya on that.

On the hubs, no wobble, just a little "play". I'm gonna tighten and see what happens.

Thanks,
Blue

[Stinky_Hooker]

Thanks Blue, the only way I can afford to boat, fish and hunt like I do is to save every penny i can when I can. If I didnt Id have to give something up. I live beyond my means ut without going in debt...get it?


Beyond that I enjoy building something myself...lots of fun. I also have a pretty easy job....I work way harder after work than during. I got 4 yards to cut between now and saturday for more "play" money. ;)

[macojoe]

I got the point!! I have built so many things that I could have bought cheaper if I counted my time!

But being poor the way I am, I am like you if I want it, its going to be fixed with bailing wire and chewing gum! What ever it takes!

[Stinky_Hooker]

Yeah thats kinda the point...time I got ...money I dont. ;)


What the hell else am I gonna do sit in front of a computer and bi#@$% about how I coulda bought it "cheaper" and piss and moan about my foot?? :D


;)

[tsubaki]

Dang Stink, I'M IMPRESSED. ;) ;)
Some reason I was expecting a hit and miss job.
Good going. :) :)

[bradford]

Well I guess if you have the time to mess with it have at it Stink. *Its all I can do to replace the parts after I buy them, let alone MANUFACTURE the parts myself.

I hear ya on that. *

On the hubs, no wobble, just a little "play". *I'm gonna tighten and see what happens.





BR be sure your hub still spins absolutely freely before you put the wheel back on, just a slight resistance will heat everything up on the road ;)

[frayed_knot]

I wish we all lived in one neighborhood and we could get together in the evenings and tear crap up! :D

I tear crap up for a living ;) Seriously, I work in a test lab where we life test ovens, my job alot of the time is very destructive. I can assure you that you couldn't possibly use the self clean function enough times in your life to kill them. A UL test we do is to drop a 5 lb steel ball 5' on the door glass to see if it breaks, it usually does, but there are times it don't. Too bad management sucks, otherwise there couldn't be a better job.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Frayed knot, thats a cool job! ;D



Got a few things done this evening. Mj may thinks it was wasted time but oh well, ONWARD!! :D




Here is the steel for the axle tube wire brushed, cut to length and ready to go.





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new001Medium.jpg





As yall can the the spindles ended up being a really nice fit in the tubing.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new004Medium.jpg



With that in mind I opted out of welding on my square backing plate because the corners were easily zipped closed and made for a cleaner look without them. I had rather have a couple less pieces and welds to rust anyhow. 8)





Next I hung it up and began priming. Here is the primer I chose. I already had it and its really good stuff. It is marine epoxy primer and dries slow, and VERY hard.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new009Medium.jpg




Wipe down with lacquer thinner to remove oils and grease......



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new011Medium.jpg



Mix it up: (this stuff is a 4:1 ratio)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new012Medium.jpg



Here we are 3 coats later.......



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new014Medium.jpg





In the meantime while that dries (overnight) I pressed in the new bearings and seals. (actually I suckered dad into doing this instead of standing around watching me) 8)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new008Medium.jpg





All set and ready for the install:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new016Medium.jpg





Tomorrow I hope to get the finish coats on everything. I will be painting it with this stuff:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new010Medium.jpg





I have used it on all of my boat trailers for the last 10 years or so. It is a single part paint but is as tuff to me as any two part epoxy or urethane based product I have used. I re coat my trailer with it every other year and it keeps it looking new with no rust at all. The only part that I never did was this:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/new017Medium.jpg







The old axle...I think I'm gonna put her on Ebay.... maybe Hammer will buy it? ;D

[msbhammer]

My hat off to ya STINk, it must be great being able to do all that work. Job well done. ;)
So, you simply welded the spindle to the axle frame ???
Great Job. :-*

[tsubaki]

Good going :)

[Stinky_Hooker]

Thats right Hammer. Do you see the "rough" looking steel on the spindle here?

http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/trailer1_5.jpg



Thats the area intent upon welding. *;)

[Stinky_Hooker]

I broke away for a few and finished her up over lunch. ;D



Here is the axle after 3 good coats of galvanize:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/tr001.jpg




Hubs after the same:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/tr002.jpg





Springs as well.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/tr004.jpg




...and last but not least I added some "blingage" back to the old, tired rims... 8)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/tr003.jpg





Axle installed with new hardware:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/tr005.jpg





Re install hubs and add new bearing buddys and dust caps.....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/tr006.jpg






I like to add some good lithium grease to the lug bolts before tightening. Every little bit help with saltwater. ::)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/tr007.jpg











Here she is back on her own two feet again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/tr008.jpg


Oh and no I don't have fenders.....I may put some on someday, but as for now its 1 less thing to repair. :-/



Thank you that is all.... 8)

[msbhammer]

A job well done to the Stinkster. ;D

[phatdaddy]

ditto on the trailer coat. i have used that stuff for years and swear by it, *do not get on you hands, you cannot get it off, it has to wear off. *good job

The only thing i have found to work on the springs is a product called "Linebacker". it is like spray cosmoline. i finally gave up and went torsion.

[reelapeelin]

I knew this thread would be a goodun!! ;) ... great work, Stink ... I got a can of that trailer coat, too ... touched up some new welds etc coupla years ago and you can't FILE the stuff off ;) ... you good to go long time!!... ;D ;D ...


Oh yeah...didja put a little grease under the slider-ends of the leaf-springs? ... it'll cut down noise and stuff :D ...

[Airslot]

Perty work Stink, perty work. ;D

[Parrot_Head]

Good job Stink. So , not including labor, how much did it set you back ? Did you replace the springs to ??

Scott

[Stinky_Hooker]

Good job Stink. So , not including labor, how much did it set you back ? Did you replace the springs to ??

Scott


Didnt replace springs...here is what I bought


new bearing set one side (other hub was new last year) 13.00
spindles 20.00 per side
4 U bolts 12.00 total
two spring perches 6.00

I had everything else..paint, primer, same wheels, hubs, scrap steel was on-hand, etc...


71.00 bucks versus 200 for a new galvanized one and the hardware to bolt it up. Oh and the labor is always outta love so I dont count it. ;)

[reelapeelin]

Stink, that's a great job 8) ...well done...mines not in quite that bad shape, but needs what you've done in next year or two...wish I had your skills to tackle it ;) ...