Maintenance & Restoration

Don N · 01-11-2009, 06:44 PM

Ours is a 1975 Trillium 1300 and as you can see by the photo, the trailing arm is pointed at about the 2 o'clock position. From what I have read I would think that this arm should be pointing closer to the 4 o'clock position and that my axle has sagged a lot over the years. Any of you other Trillium owners out there that can shed a light on this? Or were these axles set up this way?

Roy in TO · 01-12-2009, 01:33 AM

Unloaded, I'm thinking you are right.

Someone might correct me on this but ...
Look at your first picture. In my mind the square axle coming out of the axle tube and into the torsion arm should be offset 45 degrees from the square tube of the axle at rest (unloaded is not at rest). If you think about how these are made there are 4 pieces of rubber that fit into the "corners" of the axle tube around the square axle that joins the torsion arm. I believe they alter the angle in the original casting of the torsion arm in your axle.

From the picture, it looks like you could run a straight line through 2 corners of your square axle right to the center of your spindle. My guestimate would be that you originally had a zero degree axle.

Roy in TO · 01-12-2009, 01:37 AM

Maybe next time someone changes their axle, they can run the old one through a band saw and take a picture of what it looks like on the inside. It would be interesting to see what shape the rubber assumes inside after years of holding the weight over the years.

Alf S. · 01-12-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Ours is a 1975 Trillium 1300 and as you can see by the photo, the trailing arm is pointed at about the 2 o'clock position. From what I have read I would think that this arm should be pointing closer to the 4 o'clock position and that my axle has sagged a lot over the years. Any of you other Trillium owners out there that can shed a light on this? Or were these axles set up this way?

Hi: Don N... Sorry I can't comment on a Trill. Axle arm angle. The only thing I know are the laymans means of visual checks for scrub marks on the fiberglass above the tires and a min. space on top of the tires of at least the width of your fist as clearance!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

p.s. our Escape 5.0 looks like a down angle pointing to aprox 4 o'clock.

Scott S. · 01-12-2009, 02:49 PM

just a thought... can axles be rebuilt? I know mine is due and also want to ask if anyone in Winnipeg had a contact?

Rick H · 01-12-2009, 05:24 PM

Don,

Check out this link.

http://www.trilliumrv.com/Parts/PartsList.htm

It has all most of the parts for a Trillium, some parts also have pictures.

Hope it helps.

Rick

Quote:

Ours is a 1975 Trillium 1300 and as you can see by the photo, the trailing arm is pointed at about the 2 o'clock position. From what I have read I would think that this arm should be pointing closer to the 4 o'clock position and that my axle has sagged a lot over the years. Any of you other Trillium owners out there that can shed a light on this? Or were these axles set up this way?

Pete Dumbleton · 01-12-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

just a thought... can axles be rebuilt? I know mine is due and also want to ask if anyone in Winnipeg had a contact?

Torsion axles can't be rebuilt -- At original assembly, the rubber rods are cooled in liquid nitrogen and inserted into the axle beam -- When they warm up, they expand and fill the space.

Reace · 01-13-2009, 05:10 AM

Hi Don

The original Trillium used a 0 degree pitch on the axle which means with no load, the arm would be in the 3 o'clock position.

Reace

Don N · 01-13-2009, 05:51 AM

Thanks Reace. Thats what I was wondering. So it has dropped some for sure. The new one is going to be adjustable so I will start it at 0 degrees and move it accordingly. Hope to get this one and the new one ordered within the next couple of weeks.

Don N · 01-23-2009, 07:39 PM

Well, I got the old axle cut out on Monday night and took it up to Cerka trailers to make up one of their own new ones. It was ready to pick up on Thurs morning. Can't complain about the service.

Greg A · 01-23-2009, 07:46 PM

You doing your own welding and install on the new one Don??

Don N · 01-23-2009, 07:48 PM

Brought the new one home last night. Made up to the same dimensions as the old one. It is a FLEXIRIDE 2200# with 7" electric brakes 5 on 4.5" hubs. Set at 0 Deg but it is adjustable. Started to clean up some of the surfaces on the frame and am not liking what we see with the frame. Couple of soft spots and a not so good repair on the crack up near the bend. Has anybody made up new rails? Have to do some more looking this weekend before we decide to install the new axle.

Don N · 01-23-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

You doing your own welding and install on the new one Don??

Got a friend around the corner with the plasma cutter (which we used to cut this one out with), mig and tig welder. Younger guy with much better eyes than mine. It is up on his hoist now. I will be helping him with the install.

Greg A · 01-23-2009, 09:53 PM

You lucky dog...... Next you'll tell us it's only costing ya a couple of cases of Heineken..

Don N · 01-23-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

You lucky dog...... Next you'll tell us it's only costing ya a couple of cases of Heineken..

Have yet to see him drink his first beer. He lost his dad about 10 years ago so I have kinda adopted him as a second son. Real good fabricator. I will end up paying him but he never charges me a whole lot. Always working out a deal on something with him.