Boler #2 frame off

[RogerH]

I swore that I would not put myself through this again but pulled the shell off another Boler last week, sandblasted it yesterday and rolled on a coat of epoxy primer after getting it home. Frame is in excellent condition with no cracks or rust through and axle is straight. On removing layers of paint and surface rust, I uncovered the serial number slightly ahead of the jack . Plans are to roll on at least 3 coats of black enamel in the next couple of days and setting the shell back on the frame by the end of the week. I have a few other things to accomplish before dragging it out to the meet in Mission at the end of May.

[Kevin K]

Did you work for the airlines? I see you have some wheel stops from the airlines.

[RogerH]

Did you work for the airlines? I see you have some wheel stops from the airlines.

Yes I do.

[Raya]

Frame is in excellent condition with no cracks or rust through and axle is straight.

Looks like a fun project

I'm curious about the axle: I thought the torsion axles were supposed to be bowed up in the middle and not straight. Is this not true for some of them? (I've looked at a Trillium axle with the shell off and they do have the bow, but I haven't looked at a Boler axle from the same perspective; just wondering if being straight could indicate that it's tired... or?)

Raya

[RogerH]

Looks like a fun project

I'm curious about the axle: I thought the torsion axles were supposed to be bowed up in the middle and not straight. Is this not true for some of them? (I've looked at a Trillium axle with the shell off and they do have the bow, but I haven't looked at a Boler axle from the same perspective; just wondering if being straight could indicate that it's tired... or?)

Raya

Not sure Raya but i would have thought it should be straight.

[Mike Bromley]

Mine has a hump in the middle. We'll see after it comes home from Team Trillium with its new axle.

[Raya]

Not sure Raya but i would have thought it should be straight.

Okay. Reason I asked is because this is the type of torsion axle I'm familiar with has a "hump" up in the middle. You can just make it out in this photo by comparing the axle to the frame member (the axle is just behind the straight frame member). I thought that perhaps all torsion axles were supposed to be like that and that "straight" might actually mean "drooping." As I said though, I don't *know* that for a fact.

[BobB]

Congratulations on getting the frame off. Probably more difficult than it looks. I am interested in how you prep the frame before painting.

[Robert Johans]

[quote]Okay. Reason I asked is because this is the type of torsion axle I'm familiar with has a "hump" up in the middle. You can just make it out in this photo by comparing the axle to the frame member (the axle is just behind the straight frame member). I thought that perhaps all torsion axles were supposed to be like that and that "straight" might actually mean "drooping." As I said though, I don't *know* that for a fact.


Attachment 27718



I just replaced the axle on my PP. When I asked about it, I was told that the "hump" was necessary to address/control camber.

[David Morgan]

I swore that I would not put myself through this again but pulled the shell off another Boler last week, sandblasted it yesterday and rolled on a coat of epoxy primer after getting it home. Frame is in excellent condition with no cracks or rust through and axle is straight. On removing layers of paint and surface rust, I uncovered the serial number slightly ahead of the jack . Plans are to roll on at least 3 coats of black enamel in the next couple of days and setting the shell back on the frame by the end of the week. I have a few other things to accomplish before dragging it out to the meet in Mission at the end of May.

Were you able to remove the shell without detaching the floor form it? If so how?

Thank you!!

[RogerH]

Were you able to remove the shell without detaching the floor form it? If so how?

Thank you!!

This Boler has a full fiberglass floor where as my 72 had a wooden lower/kitchen floor which was attached to the frame, so the shell is one piece.

[RogerH]

Congratulations on getting the frame off. Probably more difficult than it looks. I am interested in how you prep the frame before painting.

Actually a fairly easy task which many on this forum will agree on. I used a 2 part epoxy primer after sand blasting to bare metal, which I rolled on and used a brush in the corners. I also rolled on the black enamel. Nothing special as most of the frame is not visible but it did turn out to be a good finish. I will set the shell back on tomorrow and replace all the attach hardware with stainless.

[RogerH]

I just replaced the axle on my PP. When I asked about it, I was told that the "hump" was necessary to address/control camber.

Interesting. This is the 3rd Boler I have taken the shell off to clean up the frame, having first helped a neighbor and all were straight. Is it boler specific I wonder?

[Raya]

Hmm, the plot thickens....

I know a few members have just received new axles from Paul Neumeister, who is a Boler expert; I wonder if those are humped or straight?

Raya

[David Morgan]

This Boler has a full fiberglass floor where as my 72 had a wooden lower/kitchen floor which was attached to the frame, so the shell is one piece.

My Scamp is a 77' it is wood bottom only. I did not know some of the Boler's were full glass... That is cool! How would it work for my wood floored Scamp?

[Michel, Bouchard]

Hmm, the plot thickens....

I know a few members have just received new axles from Paul Neumeister, who is a Boler expert; I wonder if those are humped or straight?

Raya

They are humped for the right camber.

[RogerH]

They are humped for the right camber.

I stand corrected It is humped like the those who know have said it is. The hump is gradual and I never really noticed it untill I laid a straight edge across it. The axle looking from behind is in front of a crossmember so it is difficult to notice.
Considered this solved.

[Raya]

Roger,

Well thanks for re-checking. It's great to solve a mystery. I had just come back to the thread to post that, although I could not download the image, the photo of the new Boler axle that Paul Neumeister offers, does look to be "humped" in his catalog (http://www.fibreglass-rv.ca/catalog.html).

Not only have we solved the mystery, but it sounds like your axle is properly "bent"

Raya

[Roy in TO]

FYI
You can see how the axles are made and bent here:
http://www.inlandrv.com/tours/axle-p...s-briefing.htm