2nd axle issue

Tom · 06-10-2015, 09:49 AM

Hello All !
New to this forum and new to RV'ing!
Purchased an older 5th whl a while back to park on my property and noticed the rear wheel (2nd axle ) on the drivers side was cocked (top in) when I picked it up and drove away with it. Since I had already agreed to buy it and had paid the man, figured I was a victim of a not-so-honest dude, and I'll deal with it. Swaped out both inner and outer wheel bearings, (the old ones LOOKED okay) Axle looked normal, and it still looks tilted it at the top slightly, especially when turning a corner.
Any Ideas?

billr · 06-10-2015, 11:33 AM

Bent axle? It should have a slight but noticeable bow in the axle as looking at it from front or rear with the high spot in the center top. This gives the camber. it also could be bent at the spindle. then it needs to be replaced. The whole axle. Its the only way to adjust this. They can re bend them or just replace. They are not a lot of $ to buy and you need a truck alignment suspension shop if you want to re bend. They can do it and re align it on install.

If you are not towing it forget about.

**wingnut60** · 06-10-2015, 12:17 PM

"If you are not towing it forget about."

Good advice. If you intend to start traveling with it, the axle will have to be addressed as Bill also mentioned. They are cheap to replace--I would replace rather than re-bend...if you ARE going to travel, might be best to replace the front also. Probably the most irritating problem with RVs stems from tire, axle and brake problems.
Joe

Tom · 06-10-2015, 01:39 PM

Thanks you guys for the expedient response! very cool. Good advice. I do most all of my own wrenching.I will keep an eye out for someone scapping out a camper or 5th whl.
Sound like an east swap, since it will probably be up on blocks anyway.
Are most of them same length or should pay close attention to that detail?

**wingnut60** · 06-10-2015, 06:23 PM

Well, might be a little more complicated then just finding scrap axles...altho some guys could make anything work. I seem to remember the most important item is center-to-center measurement of the frame rails of the trailer--everything else starts from there. Then the correct rating for the weight of the trailer.
If you can find any stamped numbers on the old one, and it happens to be a Dexter unit, they can tell you all you need to know about it.
Joe