New axle or spindle?

[skongolf]

Well last summer I blew the wheel bearings on one side of my boat trailer. Well I fixed the drum and repacked the bearings, but today I tore it apart again to replace the drum which was pretty bad. Well when I cleaned all the grease off the spindle, the bottom of it was really bad. So my question is do I replace the spindle or just get a whole new axle. It is a 97 escort trailer which I know is not made anymore. The axle is square with a drop from the spindle down to the axle. Also can I switch to a round axle? I can get a great deal in round axles through work, but am wondering if it will work. I know I will have to get different u bolts, but just looking for input. Funds are a little low right now.
Thanks

[Mark_VTfisherman]

....Well when I cleaned all the grease off the spindle, the bottom of it was really bad.....

What does this mean? Do you mean the bearing was spinning on the axle and there was wear there? Or pitting- like rust from water sitting in there?

[Dave1251]

Just have a new spindle welded on your current axle. Any good weld shop can do it. You can save some money by removing the axle from the trailer your self.

[Seon]

Just have a new spindle welded on your current axle. Any good weld shop can do it...

Problem with that is the alignment. Best to just replace the entire axle.

It'll cost you more if you break down on the road and have to call a tow truck.

Good luck.

[Silvertip]

Drop axle spindles are available but you would need to ensure whatever one you buy has the same drop as the other. If they are not the same the trailer will list to the low side. yes -- alignment is also an issue. If welded out of alignment you will experience rapid tire wear. Complete axles are not terribly expensive and are available on-line or even at farm stores that sell auto parts if you happen to live in a rural area.

[skongolf]

The bottom of the spindle was really worn and almost had no backing for the outer bearing to rest against . My big question is can I go from a square axle to round axle without issue as square axles are more expensive and harder to get around here.

[Mark_VTfisherman]

The bottom of the spindle was really worn and almost had no backing for the outer bearing to rest against . My big question is can I go from a square axle to round axle without issue as square axles are more expensive and harder to get around here.

Weight Rating is what's important, not shape...

Sounds like just getting a new axle is your best bet as silvertip said

[Proselect]

I wiped out a spindel on a 6k race trailer axle once. I bought a spindel for it for around twenty bucks and had a trailer repair dealer weld it up with the proper alignment and that cost me about one hundred bucks. I took the axle out and took it to them. That was a lot cheaper than replacing the axle, but a boat axle is usually a different story. Round or square shouldn't matter as long as its rated for the correct weight and the drop is the same as the original.

[Seon]

... My big question is can I go from a square axle to round axle without issue ...

You can go with a round axle just as long as the spring pads are the same distant apart as your existing axle's spring pads. On the last axle I bought, the spring pads had to be welded on the round axle which wasn't a problem for me being that I have a welder and welded them myself.

[skongolf]

Well the axle I have is gonna be a pain in the butt to replace since it is square and has a 2 inch drop where most ready made axles have a 4 inch drop. So I have to either get a custom made one or convert to a round straight axle. Does this seem like an OK thing to do. I talked to a guy at a trailer shop today who said that is shouldn't be a problem to go to a straight axle and the boat trailer would just be about 2 inches higher. Sounds ok to me, but just wanted to get some other opinions. Going to a straight axle would deffinately be the easiest thing to do.

[Mark_VTfisherman]

You can use spacer blocks on the 4" drop axle to give you 2" drop.

OR you could use the "straight" axle, but is that 2" going to change how your boat loads or offloads?

Other than that if the weight rating is correct and the width is correct it should be fine.

[Seon]

Replacing your dropped axle to a straight axle will not give you any problems.

[skongolf]

Thanks for the replies. I am pretty sure I am going to just convert to a straight axle. It will deffinately be the cheapest route to go at this point.