Bent torflex 3.5K Dexter axle

[Ian Hall]

Returned from my trip south and put on about 4,500 miles.... no abnormal tire wear. Everything was good. So, as stated above, it was my failure to check and adjust bearings each year that resulted in abnormal tire wear.

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by Ian Hall

Returned from my trip south and put on about 4,500 miles.... no abnormal tire wear. Everything was good. So, as stated above, it was my failure to check and adjust bearings each year that resulted in abnormal tire wear.

How much does your trailer weigh?
Just curious as yours is the only known data point for
"jacking up in middle and it didnt bend the axle"

(I am trying to find out what it would take to bend one of these axles)

Thanks!

Jim

[Ian Hall]

To clarify, my trailer was never jacked up using the axle as the jacking point. It was my mistake...I assumed, given the bend at the mid-point of the axle, that it had been jacked. The irregular tire wear was due to loose bearings.

[Donna D.]

If worrying a tire or repair place would jack in the wrong place, you can always put a decal on the frame Jack Frame Decal

[Raspy]

Originally Posted by Ian Hall

To clarify, my trailer was never jacked up using the axle as the jacking point. It was my mistake...I assumed, given the bend at the mid-point of the axle, that it had been jacked. The irregular tire wear was due to loose bearings.

Thanks for clearing the up. Good post.

[Doctor Harold]

Originally Posted by gordon2

... But I cannot understand why anyone would jack up the trailer near the center of the axle.

If you have a long jack that can reach the axle and jack it up at the center you can change both tires by jacking only once. It's lazy and possibly dangerous if the trailer can tilt sideways on the jack.

There are plenty of lazy mechanics, but I believe there are far more responsible ones.

People often jack up a car by the front crossmember, which is safe. In a shop I worked in in the early 70s the owner's son jacked up a car but had put the jack under the radiator! When he noticed the radiator bowing up at the top he stopped. His dad (the owner) pressure tested the radiator and made sure the hood would close. Nothing was ever said to the owner of the car.

I was young and dumb, if I saw that happen today I would quit on the spot.