Broken axle help in Lafayette, LA? (was: whee l fell off (mostly))

[Vickie B.]

Hey, we're the same age (I'm pushing 59) You go girl! You got moxy---way to go! If you're ever in Omaha, the door's open-----

[CeliaL]

I was hoping to go west, head up the Pacific coast, and visit Glacier National on my way to Michigan for Labor Day. So I might be near(ish). Thanks for the kindly offer!

[Borden]

I purchased the Monroe retro fit shock kit and RV shocks through local Nappa dealer. Brian BP told be about the Kits.

(The 17' bolers came with a 3500 lb leaf spring axle, 10" brakes and 5 bolt? 14" wheels) Bigfoot is same size.

P.S. Thanks Brian BP

[Borden]

Nice to know help is but a click away.
Once again great group.

[CeliaL]

Update: The flatbed driver said the spindle sheared at the hub, where the brake/wheel attaches. Because the wheel fell off at the storage yard he tack welded it on to transport to the repair company, I didn't get to take any pictures or even see it myself. The guy who built the axle is more upset than I am, he's never had an axle fail.
The only thing holding the wheel on was a weld at the top of the plate. I am very grateful I didn't kill someone with a runaway tire!

[Matt in SV]

I remember in the 80's a loose tire from an accident in the intersection crawled up the hood of my mom's station wagon, bounced on the windshield and took the luggage rack off. Our insurance company wanted to know if it had hit the ground first. That determined who which insurance company was liable, somehow.

[Joe Z]

Runaway tires really scare me and i had one come off a semi i was driving and i watched it go down the road at 60mph and run into the back of a stopped car and totaled that car.....luckily the driver was un-injured but she was tossed around in that car pretty good.
Luckily you and everyone around you where un-injured also.
Joe

[CeliaL]

Update: I finally got a good look at the axle. The spindle didn't shear, the welds broke. I have a square tube axle with the spindle welded on top. In order to use the 4 lug rims, mount brakes, and keep the trailer at the same height, the end of the axle was cut back at a 45 degree angle and left open. The spindle itself doesn't look to be as long as the replacements I looked at in the shop. Just not enough good surfaces to weld to, plus the cut back axle may have flexed. I ordered a 3500lb axle, new brakes, and new 5 lug rims. Oh, shocks too. Trying to find a local welder to fabricate a heftier axle to fit the brakes and rims was just too hard. Lots of $$ but at least I'll have standard equipment. I'm hoping the guy in WI will pay for some/all of it to keep his good reputation.