Bent axle question?? |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Topic: Bent axle question?? Posted: 11 Dec 2019 at 6:34am |
If you’ve got a heavier rPod and you’re concerned about bending the axle I recommend reinforcing it before you have a problem. I was and I did, cost about $100. Search for “axle reinforcement” and you’ll find several solutions folks have done.
|
|
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
|
Olddawgsrule
Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014 |
Posted: 08 Dec 2019 at 7:29am |
I'll add to this.. Watch your tire wear. If wearing majorly on a side, there's an issue. Inside edge: Your running heavy and probably an axle/frame issue. Middle: Over inflated for the weight carried. Both edges: Under inflated for the weight carried. |
|
GlueGuy
Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2629 |
Posted: 07 Dec 2019 at 9:39pm |
There were photos posted on the forum this last year by someone who had the problem.
There would be two possible clues. 1 - The wheels will be cambered "out" at the bottom. Depending on how bad it is, this may or may not be visible 2 - If you stretch a string from opposite sides at the bottom of the axle, there should be 1/4" to 3/8" camber in the axle. This would take two people laying on the ground, but it would be a positive test. |
|
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
|
Pod People
Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1067 |
Posted: 07 Dec 2019 at 4:24pm |
I haven't found an issue-I was just curious and trying to find out what to look for and how to determine IF there was a problem. As always, this forum and its members are a wealth of information and happy to help. Thanks Vann
|
|
Toyanvil
Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2019 Location: Bakersfield Online Status: Offline Posts: 157 |
Posted: 07 Dec 2019 at 8:49am |
The best way to check your axle is with a 24" bubble level. The wheels should be the same as the side walls of the trailer, it's that easy. Just check the plumb of the wheels and then move up to the wall, should be the same. The axle arch should be different trailer to trailer, they bend the arch to align the wheels.
|
|
Olddawgsrule
Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014 |
Posted: 07 Dec 2019 at 8:17am |
My assumption here is you have an indicator of an issue. Curious what you're looking at? Mine was a tire camber on the drivers side. Being only one side showing this and little bend to the axle, I finally found the issue. My frame was bent (actually fractured). Hopefully not what you have.. If there is an issue it will be seen where the axle mounts to the frame. |
|
lostagain
Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2587 |
Posted: 07 Dec 2019 at 12:34am |
That was one of the factors that led me to get the Sonoma instead of a little bigger r-Pod. Unlike the cantilevered axels on the r-Pod, the axles are mounted to the frame right next to the brake backing plate on leaf springs attached to I-beam frame rails. The axle is still a 3500# axle uprated to 3900 by Lippert through the use of heavier leaf springs. I guess only time will tell how it will hold up.
|
|
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
|
StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Posted: 06 Dec 2019 at 4:59pm |
I never did update this. I did end up getting the axle replaced (I had to pay for it). We picked it up in January of this year. My wife had surgery, so I was not able to get any use out of it until we went to the Carolinas Pod Rally. Then the weld that holds the brake backing plate to the axle broke on the way there. I had a technician remove the brakes on that side so we could get home (I drove even more carefully than I usually do, allowing more space between me and traffic in front of me). I contacted Lippert, and it was replaced under warranty Lippert also reimbursed me for the labor costs involved. Big kudos to Lippert!. The work was done at a dealer that is only a few minutes drive from me rather than at at the dealer where we purchased our RPod which would have been a 2-1/2 hour drive. The dealer that did the work does not sell RPods though. It would still be at least a 2-1/2 hour drive to get to the nearest dealer that does sell RPods. The original dealer stopped selling them. . So far, the new axle is working well. We just got back from a trip to Florida and will be headed that way again soon.
|
|
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
|
StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Posted: 30 Nov 2018 at 6:00pm |
|
|
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
|
Pod People
Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1067 |
Posted: 29 Nov 2018 at 8:12pm |
Thanks Stephen. I can easily see your description. I know you have first hand knowledge,unfortunately.
I hope your situation resolves itself without your wallet lightened too much. Good luck Vann
|
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |