How to Check for a Bent Trailer Axle Spindle

Question

Question:

Other than by looking, is there a way to measure or determine with some level of precision if a welded on spindle is bent? I think maybe I can take a carpenters speed square and put it on the spindle and the other side against the brake drum backing plate and that will give me a pretty good idea if its bent. Any ideas? Thanks.

asked by: Mark

0

Expert Reply:

Assuming your tires are in good shape without any bulges the easiest way to determine if you have a bent spindle is to take a straight edge that is longer than the tire and lay it across the tire parallel with your trailer frame and then measure the distance from the frame to the straight edge in front and back of the tire. If the distance is the same then the spindle isn't bent.

Beyond that your best option would be to take the trailer to someone qualified in trailer repair to have them check the spindle alignment.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Greg D.

2/6/2020

I have a Midwest boat trailer that keeps wearing the inside tread of the right tire only left side wears perfect, I do have a kicker motor on the right rear of my boat any thoughts, my thinking is that the axle must be bent is there any way of checking this

Reply

Jacob H.

2/7/2020

There's a few different things that could be going on. You could have a bent spindle which is most commonly caused by curbing or overloading. The bearings could be going out on the right side which would cause the inside of the tire to wear unevenly. And lastly your axle may be bent. To check if your bearings are going out, you will need to lift the tire off of the ground and if there is any movement side to side then that means that there is play in the bearings and they need to be replaced. To check the spindles you can take both wheels of and compare the right side to the left and make sure they are at the same angle. Lastly, checking if your axle is bent you will need to take the wheels off and make sure the axle is level and sitting on level ground. You will then take a measurement from the ground to the end of the spindle. If the measurements are different, it means that your axle is bent.

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Answer 1

Hey Tyler! The Goodyear Endurance ST205/75R15 Radial Tire w/ 15" Eagle Aluminum Wheel #GY37QB does not come balanced. This is the case for almost every trailer tire. Since they're designed to support the weight of the trailer, and not…

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Answer 2

Hello Blake, thanks for reaching out. So trailer tires typically are not balanced the same way as vehicle tires. With trailers every wheel and tire has a high (heavy) and low (light) spot. The manufacturers offset the high spot on the tire with the…

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Answer 3

The Taskmaster Provider tires like part #TTWTRTM2257515D that you referenced are the best from Taskmaster and have proven to be a reliable and popular choice among trailer owners. This tire specifically features a load range D (2,540 lbs at 65 psi)…

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Answer 4

A Dexter 3,500 lb axle will have a hub that uses 1/2" lug nuts, so the correct part is the CE Smith Trailer Wheel Lug Nut - Zinc-Plated Steel - 1/2" #CE11051.

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Answer 5

Hubs and drums that can be turned (machined) will have a specification on how much they can be turned cast into the metal of the drum somewhere. Otherwise it is at the brake shop's discretion. Drums do not have to be turned unless there is some…

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Answer 6

Thanks so much for the photo that was super helpful, and what the axle tag shows is that you have a #11 Dexter Torflex axle. We do have the correct lift kit for you, which is the following part: - Torflex Lift Kit - Tandem Axle #K71-724-02 This kit…

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Answer 7

Hey Frank, thanks for reaching out! According to my contact at Dexter Axle you need the following: - Right Hand Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly #23-459 - Bearing, 42MM Nev-R-Lube 42MM x 76MM x 39MM #31-73-3 If you're also…

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Answer 8

I sent this to Dexter and this is what they sent back: I checked the number and it not a good hub number, and wheel tried pulls up 3,500 sprung axle from 2006 that doesn’t use a Nev-R-Lube hub. I would ask for confirmation on the number or some…

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Answer 9

Dexter Nev-R-Lube hubs such as the part #8-388-80UC3 are designed to fit Dexter Nev-R-Lube Axles. These hubs use a special cartridge style bearing that is only compatible with the spindles on a Nev-R-Lube Axle. With this in mind you would not be able…

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Answer 10

Thank you for reaching out! The best thing for your situation is to go with the 3,500 lb Dexter Axle #T3584F-8974 you are looking at. While you can upgrade your axles to the 5,200 lb #e55GR, you won't really see a benefit from it unless you also…

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Answer 11

It sounds like your Haulmark 7 x 12-foot tandem axle enclosed utility trailer has a bent left rear spindle. This could occur from an impact with road debris or from hitting a curb with the trailer fully loaded. If both tires on the same axle showed…

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Answer 12

I contacted MORryde and this does happen from time to time as the weight of the trailer can spread out the axles due to downward pressure on the springs/suspension. Odds are the 35" wheel base #MR27ZR will be the correct one for you, but they…

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How to Check for a Bent Trailer Axle Spindle

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