Replacing an Axle - leading arm to trailing arm, plus adding brakes (long post) Options

[Phillip]

I did have the bolt on brackets welded onto the trailer. If you order a new axle with the bracket option, the brackets are bolted onto the axle at the factory. If you look closely at the pictures in post # 5 of this thread, you can see them. It helps to know what you are looking for because they are all black like everything else.

As far as I am concerned the brackets are good insurance if one ever has to replace an axle again, or worse yet, the frame.

cool ... I misunderstood thanks..

[Roy in TO]

Actually it was a good catch Phillip. I reread my post and I didn't mention the brackets in the specs or any where else. Thanks for pointing it out.

On second read I did mention it. Dexter or Cerka calls the brackets the "hanger kit". Sorry I just copied the specs off the original order or final bill.

This post has been edited by Roy in TO: Jun 3 2009, 06:37 PM

[ursulap]

I finally got a search to work!!!!

We are in the process of rebuilding our frame from scratch, which means the axle too!!! WE are currently debating the torsion arm versus leaf spring options. Since we can modify the frame the way we need to to make the axle work its best. Is it a big adjustment to make it a trailing arm axle vs using leaf springs?

Also has anyone taken their little trailer for a test drive/camp with leaf springs?

Things are slowly trudging away

Cheers

Ursula

[Raya L.]

I think torsion axles are generally considered to be a "step up" from leaf springs, aren't they? Better damping, if I understand correctly (unless one puts shock absorbers on the leaf suspension).

Raya

[Donna D.]

Yes, that's my understanding too Raya. Leaf spring require shock absorbers to work similar to torsion axles... which have the "shock absorber" has built in due to the rubber.

[DannyH]

Roy, I'm about to order an axle similar to yours and have a question. The dimension that they require for the mounting bracket is to the outside of the frame, this also sets the outside edge of the angle that comes with the axle. My question is the width of the angle on the axle. I'm concerned that they have a dimension of 1 1/4" from the outer edge to the centerline of the supporting bolt. If this is the centerline of the horizontal part of the angle, then it must be around 2 1/2" wide (my assumption). My scamp has a main tubular frame width of 1 1/2". The way I see it, the vertical part of the angle will extend 1" past the inside of my trailer frame edge, which will run into the dropped floor side, making for much cutting and modification. If the axle bracket is only 1 1/2" wide, it should slide in without a problem. If the axle bracket is wider than 1 ½”, I will adjust the outside edge dimension so that the inside vertical part will line up with the inside face of the trailer frame. I hope this makes sense.



Thanks
Dan

[DannyH]

Never mind, I found the manufactures site and a detailed drawing of the bracket.

[Roy in TO]

If the axle bracket is wider than 1 ½", I will adjust the outside edge dimension so that the inside vertical part will line up with the inside face of the trailer frame.

That's essentially what I did.
Since you found the diagrams on Dexter, I'm posting this for others that might have the same question. The mounting bracket is 2" wide and add 1/4" for the side mount hanger. That makes each bracket 3/4" wider than your frame. Total width (outside of brackets)will be 1.5" wider than the outside of your frame.

Now if you are doing it like me "switching from leading to trailing" don't forget to allow for the height of your dropped floor. Dexter does make a 3" high snowmobile bracket but that was just not enough clearance beneath the floor to allow for the bend in the axle tube for camber.