Dexter Trailer axles + trailer spindles + suspension rebuild.

[@leemarker1373]

I worked at dexter for 30 years , looks like you did a great job.

[@greensfarmland]

Hey Great video, and nice work. Gotta love the old school way of doing things when it comes to looking out for the guy down the road. Meaning the bushing repair, and reassembly. Thanks really enjoyed this.

[@TinkerKing209]

I noticed that too. I do my best to look out for the next. Can’t say I’m perfect about it but I try 9/10. An easy thing for us now is hopefully to save the next guy hours if not days. Just takes a second of consideration. Passing the love on down for fixing, repairing and getting dirty.❤

[@outsidescrewball]

Stan....you are a great teacher....super discussion/instruction/build/repair......Turkey Day breakfast with you!!!

[@ShadonHKW]

Happy Thanksgiving Chuck!

[@bmfilmnut]

It's always a good day when I learn something and I learned a few things watching this video. Thanks for posting this.

[@MartsGarage]

Thanks Stan, lots of interesting info there. A good way to check if the ends are straight is to fit the hubs and wheels and with it standing on the wheels, spin the axle tube and see if the wheels are swashing in and out. Adjust your tacks and weld em up. If the wheels wobble the tubes can be pulled by some extra welds on one side. Thanks for documenting the refurb.

[@tinkermouse-scottrussell3738]

Good one, Stan enjoyed watching this one all come together. Thanks for taking the time to upload this one for us. Play Safe From Elliot Lake Ontario Canada.

[@thomasutley]

Good video Stan. I liked the bag trick, and also the tip on reinforcing against side loads on the axles and rails.

[@garymucher9590]

You do things like I do and everybody else should do. But sadly, so many patch things up and drive on or sell it off. And the new owner beware. When you do things the right way, you basically can enjoy using it without worrying about it failing. Thumbs Up!

[@howder1951]

Thanks Stan, that was an enjoyable Saturday project cheers!

[@DudleyToolwright]

Interesting project and well narrated. I felt as if I could attempt a project like this after watching this video. Really well done. I need to build a set of those Keith Fenner shaft alignment tools.

[@cyrustaft4549]

Great video Stan. I am currently redoing suspension bushings on my travel trailer so it was also timely. One possible explanation for the uneven bushing wear on your equalizer is that the center line of the spring bushing is not aligned with the center line of equalizer bushing so there is a slight twisting force on it making it wear unevenly.

[@jeffanderson1653]

Good video, We all have trailers of some sort. I have Dexter’s best. The only way to go down the road. Thanks Stan

[@johnkuchjr.]

hey, great video. I love all the details you included in the video. If someone needed help doing something like this, they could follow step through step.

[@madmodifier]

Nice work Stan! The wire nuts and electrical tape would not last 1 winter here in MN, but are probably good for a decade in CA, LOL.

[@razorworks9942]

Nice job Stan! This baby is "Razor Approved"👍👍👍

[@1320pass]

Great repair and good advice. Thx. Lisle makes a 'bearing packer' tool (34550) that works pretty slick if you get into the habit of doing axles and bearings all the time 👍🙃

[@pilgrimm23]

Instructive Stan... Thank you... btw, your welding... I salute :)

[@bcbloc02]

I think I would have gone thicker wall tube while at it since you have been there before. I have had dexters on all my goosenecks and so far yet to break a tube but mine are either 10HD or 12k dual tandems.

[@mattrik2493]

I tell you what you made your own channel at this cuz you damn good at explaining and breaking stuff down so I can tell you got your own business and you have to deal with people on the outside basis I wish I didn't live in Florida and close to 2 close to you cuz I know I can damn sure learn off of you

[@tomeyssen9674]

Great video Stan. Good job and good pointers. I need to recheck mine...🙄.

[@infoanorexic]

36:00 nice to see I'm not the only one that has done it that way. I used the plastic bags that covered the new rotors. Not totally clean, but still not head to toe grease when you are done. Besides, big bearings waste too much grease with a pressure packer.

[@DavidAtkinson-ik5kg]

The whole weight of the trailer is taken on the axle tube and not the solid stub thickness. The stub axle needs to extend inside the tube past where it mounts to the spring so the load is taken by the combined profile of the stub and tube. This will just fail again. It’s basic engineering. The tube of the axle is ok in the centre to just locate the ends, but it shouldn’t be taking the whole mass.

[@ivanbg5167]

A well used but definitely better than new trailer!

[@MyShopNotes]

Thanks Stan, never did this and this was a great how to.

[@1970chevelle396]

The Wright Rollers work great for that.

[@rodneykiemele4721]

Great video, Stan, thanks a lot. Learned a few things.

[@jimhumphrey]

I like the plastic bag...add some latex gloves and it's really mess-free. Nice work.

[@pitaeata8493]

great camera shot 21:50. awesome.

[@jimharris4013]

Well done Stan. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@glenlynch9765]

Good job.thanks for the grease tip.

[@dangerrangerlstc]

As a truck mechanic, those wire chase tubes actually have a higher chance of rubbing wires than just tying the wires to the axles. Could have taken little tabs or pieces of tubes that you could have tied loom covered wires to. See rubbed wires a lot on car haulers that have the wire harness ran through closed tubes without any securement.

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

There are many ways to do it.You can also drill holes in the axle tube and use nylon air brake tubing to run wires through or even run the Grote 85-5502 inside the tube and seal the holes with silicone.

[@ron827]

Wish I had known the grease packing tip years ago. Thanks

[@chuckvoss9344]

Very good job.

[@josephwilson6651]

enjoyed it very informative and worthwhile

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving

[@Tools4Machines]

I like the wire tubes. I think California should make them mandatory on all trailers. : ) Cheers, Gary

[@marshallmoneymaker8322]

and then uses wire nuts to make the wire connections.

[@madmodifier]

@@marshallmoneymaker8322 looked like speaker wire too, lol

[@billdlv]

Good repair Stan👍👊

[@verbonloucks6498]

Next time you check for runout, go to very end, much truer reading! Good read !

[@DustinApple]

the .005 run out is impressive. however that only equates to degrees of caster/camber when in all actuality the bearings are running true to the spindle when set properly. dexter now has preloaded camber axles. have you ever attempted to duplicate a positive camber axle? is it worth the trouble? i am tired of spending $350 per axle when i could build one for about 100. just never done it before.

[@ShadonHKW]

I think they only do that on the larger capacity axles.

[@DustinApple]

@@ShadonHKW I only buy 3500# all have positive camber preloaded bends.

[@vitaliy-margaritamerkulov1840]

What’s the tool called, that you used to check preload?

[@DustinApple]

@@vitaliy-margaritamerkulov1840 digital protractor

[@Oldtech51]

Good build, but is there some reason you didn't crown the center of the new axle tubes?

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

I thought the same thing, no camber and the inside of the tires will wear out if the trailer is loaded.

[@jabbasan12]

Great video Stan!

[@DK-vx1zc]

great project, thanks for sharing !!

[@harrydavidaererua8017]

And this is one of the guys that hangs out with God on rest day after building a GREAT AMERICA.

[@markpasieka]

I was thinking the same thing.. thinking thank god we have Americans like this .. was deeply bothered when I CHINA on the late bit holder... we have hard times ahead of us...

[@ke6bnl]

seems I have noticed that many of my trailer axles the axles bow up in the center. Seems like it was to compensate for when loaded. Not sure though. A lot of good information, I have a utility trailer that needs some work soon.

[@ShadonHKW]

Those are the spring axles, different material and have a definite kink in the center.

[@Danny190]

Hey Stan great video, very informative. What size pipe and thickness do you recommend for a 7k axle? I’m very tempted on building my own, any help will sure help. Thanks!

[@ShadonHKW]

I would just be guessing. I would turn to the documentation that comes with your spindles.

[@georgelehman4970]

have you done a dexter axle with a 4 inch drop with electric brakes? My wires go threw the tube my axle is a 3500 pound hf 95.00 sc 81.00 inch the front driver side top of tire is leaning in I have seen people use jacks and wrap chains around the bottom and the chains bend the axles straight.

[@MCEngineeringInc]

Nice repair!

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

Great Video. Thanks!

[@dalecostich8794]

fantastic enlightenment

[@DirtRoadLanding]

Great tutorial...Thank you

[@itstallionman]

I noticed your Logan has a break function. Is that utilizing the break function of your vfd? I have a 6561 and I want to put a break on it. Thanks Mark.

[@ShadonHKW]

I'm just using the onboard DC brake, you could do so much more with a braking resistor.

[@jeepchievous]

Yo thanks for sharing this ppreciatecha.

[@Mcfryguy5555]

Great video!

[@jeffdeluca1153]

Nice work! So did you use a non cambered axle tube? Thx a bunch

[@ShadonHKW]

Yes. Just a straight piece of sch 80 heavy.

[@vitaliy-margaritamerkulov1840]

Awesome video!! What’s the tool called to check preload?

[@ShadonHKW]

That's a Wright Roller kit from Keith Fenner.

[@jteddy11]

I have the same axle, Dexter D35 failed the same way on the U bolt. What you think about sleeving the break? Was going to sleeve with a 2" pipe on inside, and a 2 1/2" pipe on outside with rosette welds, at least that is my plan at the moment. I think 2 1/2" 40s pipe will fit on the outside. Does that sound like a viable option to you?

[@josecabrera5632]

Is the trailer axle the same for 5-lug and 4-lug hubs?

[@krazziee2000]

nice repair..

[@ls2005019227]

Nice repair- Kinda disappointed you didn't work the surface grinder in there somewhere.....🤣 That expanding mandrel would be handy; did you make or purchase it? Thanks again!

[@ShadonHKW]

I bought a set of them years ago, .500 to 2.00, never regretted it.

[@ls2005019227]

@@ShadonHKW - Thanks & Happy Thanksgiving

[@toniiflorrez5074]

Great video! Question, is there a part number to the spindles? And that’s a 2” tube? Looked almost like 2 7/8 tube

[@stowaway475]

How much where the schedule 80 pipes to build those

[@larryblount3358]

Two different numbers on the rocker arms: 61207 and 61008. Why? See vid at 22:00, several other shots show this too.

[@ShadonHKW]

No idea, different batches possibly, parts measure the same in all respects.

[@larryblount3358]

@@ShadonHKW thanks for the quick response. We always enjoy your varied vids. My son enjoys your squares (Christmas gift). Maybe one day I will have a set, too.

[@CRUZER1800]

Meaning no disrespect to Anyone but I think hand packing a bearing is still the best way for the average guy. You don't have to Fill you had with grease but just use a couple of Tbl spoons at a time and work the grease in. Far less waste and the only expense is the grease itself.

[@RockingJOffroad]

I’ve always liked the dexter stuff also! What is the weight rating on the axles before you retuned them? If you saw the underside of my trailer, you’d be amazed at how much rectangular tube was used to build it. It is really heavy even when empty.

[@ShadonHKW]

The Dexters are rated for 5K per axle.

[@midgoog2]

Stan, I use a different way to "pack" the races. I put some grease in a clean tin and warm it till the grease just melts. Be careful not to over heat it. Drop the races in and let the grease cool then fish the packed races out and fit them. If someone had say a temperature controlled oven it would make it easy to do the heating. Cheers Eric

[@warrenmichael918]

Im not sure but doesnt getting the grease hot enough to melt compromise its integrity? Not to mention several extra steps for a fairly easy, but messy, job...

[@ericrichards5862]

Thanks for the video Stan, do you think that the the rockers would chuck up in a four jaw on the lathe?

[@ShadonHKW]

I monkeyed with it for about 10 minutes, then moved on to the mill.

[@wymershandymanservice9965]

To bad these trailers couldn’t be electrified. In stead of some one breaking in you would just have a little ashes to clean up in the morning. Great content 👍

[@markpasieka]

what do you mean they cant? they can, its just the liability that troubles me.... Criminals have more rights then middle class property owners in the new woke America... property of the Banks or corporations is being protected as are the criminals... all at the expense of the middle class.....

[@jamesgibson5876]

@@markpasieka no .. every one has the same rigbts.. criminals or not.. funny how people like to claim people in jail have it so good.... its like heaven ... but people aren't lining up to die or go to jail

[@Chafat]

Where did you get those table low profile pipe rollers ?

[@ShadonHKW]

That's a kit from Keith Fenner. Lookup Turnwright machine works.

[@nicknovak83]

i hope you see this and respond but in using this type of tubing, where does the bow come in to play? most all trailer axles are bowed upwards to acount for proper camber when loaded,can straight tubing be used?

[@ShadonHKW]

the smaller axles 5K and below use straight tube

[@jcs6347]

Thanks Stan I learn a lot from this video. A couple of questions please; How did you clock the spring perches? Also, you mentioned you were going to compare the wall thickness of the Dexter axle to the Sch 80 grade A wall thickness. I didn't catch it, did you check it? I am just curious if there was a difference. Thanks again.

[@ShadonHKW]

I didnt make it clear in the vid, but the tubing I used was .040 thicker wall, and it didnt have an internal seam (weak point) Spring perches were done with a level, same as the brake back plates.

[@jcs6347]

@@ShadonHKW Thanks for the note back!

[@davewood406]

In this video, Stan kneads his greasy sack.

[@markpasieka]

lol... you know he is good if he has haters

[@bobapthorpe]

Q: At around 35m you mention welding cracks in the frame caused by fatigue from side loading. Do you drill out the end of the crack before welding or just weld over it? I know with light aircraft they'll drill out the ends of cracks to stop crack propagation and I was wondering if that was a common repair technique or just specific to aircraft.

[@danpoole9327]

Drilling the end of the crack stops it from creeping. Also digging out the crack to burn it in well is a good practice

[@waynep343]

Great video. Wonder about UV exposure welding bare handed as a skin cancer risk decades later. Probably a moot point. I would have searched out some thick wall tubing to slip in the axle tubes from just inside the spring perch to close to the back of the spindle just tacked east and west inside the end of the tube as a never going to shear one off leaving the trailer stranded again.. Automatic transmission parts suppliers might have had some thrust washers to fit between the rockers. How about putting a 1/8 npt in the axle tube and threading in an air tank fill fitting. Pumping it up and using those clear valve stem caps that change from green to red if pressure is lost. Just to check before cross country trailer trips.

[@ShadonHKW]

All good ideas! Why just build it when you can overbuild it! :)

[@waynep343]

@@ShadonHKW repeated failures require forethought to fixes. i worry about using water pipe .. even schedule 80 in that kind of application . i guess that increases profits with lower cost materials and repeat axle sales. i should get a hat that says Over Engineering. heck i even used 2 shackles to slip an engine in.. i did not trust just one.. i.imgur.com/Vv09FT1.jpg but it did fit in.. i.imgur.com/6fXMTzF.jpg

[@verbonloucks6498]

Why don't anyone plug weld btwo holes innward of stub spindle!

[@shanepipkin4041]

how can I do one end without the gauge calibration?

[@joell439]

👍👍

[@ikesquirrel]

Straighter than factory axles

[@johnnyc7009]

Welded the spring perched on wrong. 2-1” welds belong on a 10k axle. U need to do a 60-40 pass on them perches

[@markpasieka]

please elaborate, your statement is to succinct for those of us that did not have your experiences....

[@schattenmygirl]

At 3:58 the tongue and hitch appear "Tilted Up" is that camera deception? Now to watch the rest of your video.. For the record I have seen this crack/broken axle tubes on Semi trailers ..

[@ShadonHKW]

That is a problem area that I always check, but no, it's not bent. Checking regularly for signs of fatigue is recommended.

[@Darryl603]

How about 09/21/07 for a date on that?

[@ShadonHKW]

12 years ago? sounds about right.

[@danachristie110]

just curious..... are those 5200 lb axles?

[@ShadonHKW]

Dexter rates them as 5K

[@danachristie110]

That's weird my 5200 lb axle tubes are 3" outside diameter

[@douglasthompson2740]

Hello Stan, I am wondering why after the previous failures (I am not too impressed with only six years use out of a trailer axle) you didn't opt for an upgrade to the next larger axle, wall thickness, and diameter? I would think you could bush the larger tube down to your axle stub size and still used them? It would seem the design should take into account road stresses including potholes. When you have traffic either side of you or a narrow road there are just times that a hard whack can't be avoided. I have done a few boat trailers and truck axles and springs in my day making it a video down memory lane. Take care. Doug

[@ShadonHKW]

The whole trailer is rated 10K GVW, putting larger units under it would tempt me to overload it and possibly bend a frame rail.

[@FernandoHernandez-mk5vf]

What is the tool called

[@markpasieka]

I know right... which one, personally i am scanning the comments for specs and info on that slick pipe roller ...

[@ronaldchurch6356]

@ 7:50 ,ZIP YOUR FLY, had to tell you. lol

[@markpasieka]

so many tools and neat stuff to look at in this video? why are you looking at his crotch?

[@GillWeathers]

its best to build a new axle.

[@chrismate2805]

I thought I seen 46:31.... "Large+Large && Small+Small=Curveball" goes in.-?, or was it just explanation.

[@woodscreekworkshop9939]

First

[@dennissheridan8836]

Stan, why not just put on some rubber gloves and pack your bearings the normal way. When finished just take them off and pitch them in the trash. Hands stay nice and clean instead of smelling like axle grease.

[@markpasieka]

now you tell me!?... lol..... for some reason the gloves always burst or tear n me, plus they impede the touch and feel feedback of working with components...

[@Oldtech51]

What a lame way to pack bearings.

[@joshbrown5938]

Dexter axles is junk lippert axles is the best

[@TinkerKing209]

❤