New axles may not fit all older sub-frames

[CRM]

4 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

What's interesting on the above list 2010 #45 LE2 has 50.5" axles.

Yep, and I've triple checked it. Hull 45 was the last trailer sold prior to the shutdown and was built with leftover 5200lb axles used on the LE1's. There aren't any of those on the list but I'd bet all of those early models have the same measurements. 

[rideandfly]

12 minutes ago, CRM said:

Yep, and I've triple checked it. Hull 45 was the last trailer sold prior to the shutdown and was built with leftover 5200lb axles used on the LE1's. There aren't any of those on the list but I'd bet all of those early models have the same measurements. 

Agree,  only axles with SC 50" on the list so far are 2014, 2015, & 2016 LE2s.

[Wayfinder]

15 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Wow, it's been almost a year, right?!

Chris in another thread, I wrote that I just placed a special order with Alcan Spring for Dexter D52 50.00 axles. They are an authorized Dexter distributor. Soon I should get confirmation and a part number for the correct axles for our hulls.

If you are going to install yourself or in your home town, you could do the same given it works out for me. But perhaps you'd be going to back Hohenwald which is out of the question for me.

Let us know what OTT says now and I will post here when I hear something.

yeah, I'm not really up for all that.  My full-time job is keeping me busy enough.  The old body doesn't like it either.

 

[ScottyGS]

I know this is an old thread but.... 

I am currently in the market for the Nev-R-Lube Axles and wanted to share that Hull #145, a 2016 model, picked up in June has the 50.5" axles. 

I also assume that current LE2's are provided the D52 axle with an SC measurement of 50.5".....    If someone would confirm that for me I would appreciate it.  

TIA,

Scotty

[ScottyGS]

Another update.

After unsuccessful communication with Oliver Service, I went ahead and sourced the axles from a Dexter authorized distributor.  HF = 68.75   SC 50.5 dimensions were matched by Dexter and they shipped the correct axles to the dealer.   See below photos of original Redneck axle and the replacement labels.  I learned that Redneck Axle was bought out by Dexter and my original axles were made in that plant in AL. 

Trailer is due for pick up tomorrow but wanted to get some opinions on an issue the mechanic brought to my attention.  He said he was concerned that the new axle was a bit shorter than the old one and was concerned that the shocks may get too close to the tires during tight turns when the axles shift a bit. 

I lined up the old next to the new to compare the HF dimension and found it to be almost negligible.  If anything it's an eighth of an inch total which would put it at 1/16" for each side.  Sorry that I forgot to take pictures of that.  The inner hubs are closer together but I don't think that would be a problem as many folks have changed from the D35's to the D52's with the larger hub and brakes and have not heard of this issue. 

For those folks that have done that change... (D35's to the D52's with HF of 68.75" and SC of 50.5")  

A.) Have you noticed the clearance between tire and shock being an issue while turning? 

B.) Even if you haven't it might be something to inspect.  

When I get the trailer back I will take it to a parking lot and do some tight turns both forward and backward and see if there is an issue.   

Thanks in advance, will provide another update tomorrow. 

Scotty

[jd1923]

3 hours ago, ScottyGS said:

He said he was concerned that the new axle was a bit shorter than the old one and was concerned that the shocks may get too close to the tires...

Hey Scotty, first thing make sure your Dexter axles delivered are to spec. It's not simple to measure the Hub Face HF = 68.75, but the Spring Center SC = 50.50" is very easy to measure, center-to-center or edge to edge on the spring mounting brackets.

Yeah, the shocks are close to the tires. I just went outside in the drizzle as we're camping, too muddy to measure, but reaching in it seems our shocks are about 1.5" from the tires, more than enough.

What must be realized, regardless of axle measurements, is the top of the shock is mounted to the Oliver suspension steel subframe. The top of the shock is where it could possibly rub the tire and this mount is static regardless of axle dimensions.

Where the shock attaches at bottom on the axle is nowhere near the tires. I copied a picture here, complements of @Boudicca908 taken in my driveway recently while working on brake wiring. No tire in the pic but you cannot find a better picture of the shock alignment with OEM D52 axles. In this picture I see 1 1/2” either side of the shock, square as could be! 😎

3 hours ago, ScottyGS said:

(he) was concerned that the shocks may get too close to the tires during tight turns when the axles shift a bit.

And he’s not familiar with the Alcan Springs which you are also installing.
They will not budge, more than a mm, I promise you, your new axles on Alcans will NOT shift! 

But it's great you found a good mechanic that notices the little things! Given your axle measurements are correct, please go ahead my friend! 😎 

Edited 18 hours ago by jd1923

[ScottyGS]

17 hours ago, jd1923 said:

And he’s not familiar with the Alcan Springs which you are also installing.
They will not budge, more than a mm, I promise you, your new axles on Alcans will NOT shift! 

But it's great you found a good mechanic that notices the little things! Given your axle measurements are correct, please go ahead my friend! 😎 

 

Hey John,

You were spot on.  Once everything was assembled, the clearance between the shock and tire was fine.   They did a decent job and the trailer rides well. 

Look forward to seeing you in October!  Thanks again,

Gregg