Bent axel?

[sbulla]

Something tells me my axel shouldn't look like this...

Someone must have lifted it with a floor jack in the middle. This is the first time I noticed it in the few months I've owned it. It's been towing fine. I was checking wheel bearings and lifting from each side to put the jack stands in place when it caught my eye.

Do I need to replace it or can they be straightened?

Sonny
'87 Tracker Tournament V17
'86 45hp Merc

 

[rndn]

Re: Bent axel?

Did somone try to jack up the boat and trailer from the middle of the axel? Is it possible the slight arc in the axel is supposed to be there and once the weight is on the tires it straightens out? Some type of pre-stressed setup?

 

[JB]

Re: Bent axel?

It is a normal practice to preload the axle like that. Even if the weight of the load doesn't straighten it it will only put a bit of camber in the wheels, which makes them corner better.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Bent axel?

Roger that - I have two brand new axles and they're both bent up at about that amount.

Relax

Erik

 

[sbulla]

Re: Bent axel?

It is a normal practice to preload the axle like that. Even if the weight of the load doesn't straighten it it will only put a bit of camber in the wheels, which makes them corner better.

Alright! Thanks for the reply! I was wondering about that too. I looked under the middle and didn't see any marks and it is such a perfect arc, I guess it's supposed to be that way. Good deal!...now, if I can just find the correct bearings, I can finish up this project and get back on the water.

Thanks,
Sonny

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bent axel?

It's called a "cambered axle" and is built that way. Perfectly normal. If it were bent downward -- that's a problem.

 

[wire2]

Re: Bent axel?

It's called a "cambered axle" and is built that way. Perfectly normal. If it were bent downward -- that's a problem.

Or bent forward, like in the worn tires post in this section.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Bent axel?

Is that axel bent? or am I? Maybee a little of both.