mgann wrote:
Stubs/spimdles were damaged, each hub had too much play in them eventhough bearings were good. Backing plates were welded to the axles by Dexter and per Dexter. Old axles were 2500#, checked on new hubs and found only 139 still available and had to be turned to specs, cost per wheel about $175 for hubs, brakes, bearings. Hence, new heavier axles complete. Lazy maybe...Not...just peace of mind rolling down the road. Bill of goods, maybe, but I'm comfortable with my decision.
Trailer axles unlike automobile axles, you CAN NOT "take the play" out of the bearings. In fact, taking too much play out of the bearings on trailer axles means you HAVE THE BEARINGS TOO TIGHT!
If you take a look at the castle nut for a trailer axle then compare a automobile castle nut, you will notice that the trailer axle nut has about HALF of the castle-ations. Trailer axles do not require zero play, in fact the Dexter manual tells you to BACK OFF to the next opening in the nut.
2,500 lb drums should cross to 2,000 lb axles, Dexter makes the axle range from 2,000-2,500 so parts should be plentiful for your axles.
Typically 2,000-2,500 lb axles will have 4 bolt hubs and if that is the case, you will also need rims to go with the 3,500 axles (3,500 lb axles use 10" drums with 5 bolt pattern).
Not trying to smart, just pointing out that there was no need to just randomly change the axles when parts are still available.
Just because Dexter may not "sell" the parts anymore, does not mean you can't get them. These ARE very common parts and many aftermarket manufacturers do offer parts for these axles.
The ONLY ones that I am aware of being impossible to find is the old "Fayette" or "Star Rims", those drums and rims are no longer manufactured but you CAN often replace them with standard Dexter style drums and rims.
I ran into that with my 1980s trailer, it has the Fayette/Dexter axles, rated 3,300 lbs. Called Dexter and they crossed that axle to standard 3,500 lb Dexter axles..
The only thing you will get is a bit better braking.
On edit, I should also note that just because the backing plate is welded on to the axle it doesn't mean that you can't replace the brakes. You do pretty much what you would do with a automobile that has drum brakes, you replace the SHOES and any other parts needed.
You simply buy the new backing plates because they are cheaper than buying just the shoes. Then you TRANSFER ALL OF THE NEW PARTS TO THE OLD BACKING PLATE.
EASY PEASY.
