How To Tell If You Bent Your Trailer Axle And What To Do To Fix It
Updated 10/25/2024 | Published 10/07/2024
Question:
Today I hit a pothole in the right side lane, in the lane with a load of about 2000 s, pipe at 55 MPH. I went a little ways and saw smoke coming from the tires and thought I might have blown a tire. I wish. I have made many loads with no trouble, 20 ft tandem axle. The rear tire was rubbing bad at the top inside, so I took it off and shifted the weight to the other side. With a short distance remaining I thought I might make it. I wish again. Nope just a few more miles and smoke was coming of the the remaining front tire. I went and borrowed a trailer and got my load home. I went back thinking with out the load it would tow to the house. I wish. Same thing. The tires seem to have been bent in at the top, out on the bottom, worse on the rear tire. I got some big washers and spaced the font tire out enough to get home. What have I done and how do I fix it? Did I bend my axles? Thank you for any information!
asked by: Stacy W
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
Helpful Expert Reply:
Hey Stacy,
Your axle is most likely bent, but it could also just be that the bearings fell apart inside the hub and you know have play. Have you pulled the hubs yet to see how they look? When you put the washers on the hub to try and have the tires sit straight did it feel like the hub and any play in it? If it's just broken down spindle/hub components you can easily replace them; if the axles are bent then they would need to be replaced and would not be able to be repaired. If you look at the axle from the back side of the trailer it should bend slightly up in the center when unloaded like the picture I've attached below. If yours is straight or bent in a different way then we know your axle is the issue.
Based on the pictures you provided it's looking like the axle are most likely bent so if that is the case you'll need to take a few measurements to determine the correct replacement. You'll need to measure from center to center of the spring seats. These are where your leaf springs would sit, which should be the center of the frame rails. Next you'll measure from hub face to hub face so that the wheels have enough clearance from the frame (See attached diagram below). The last thing you'll need to determine is the axle capacity. There should be a sticker on the axle that lists the capacity. If not then you can measure the diameter of the axle and we can try to determine it's capacity that way.
Let me know what you find and I can help with whichever route you have to go with.
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
Stacy W.
10/21/2024
Kevin, Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I found a number spray painted on the back axle, would this be the information telling the size axle I need? The number is T3595/80BM Will I need to flip the trailer over to replace the axles? Thanks for your help. Stacy
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire with Wheel
- Bias Ply Tire
- Load Range C
- 5.70-8
- 8 Inch
- K - 65 mph
- 4 on 4 Inch
- Steel Wheels - Powder Coat
- Kenda
more information >
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Stacy W.
10/11/2024
Kevin, Yep, they are both bent down, I wasn't sure of which way was right since I misplaced your email. I will do some measures and get back with you. Thanks Stacy