Broken Shackle Mount

HornedToad · 09-12-2016, 07:39 PM

I just noticed my axle was out of alignment on the way to storage this morning, everything was OK when I checked the tire pressure before the drive home.

I'm afraid to drive the 25 miles to the RV alignment shop like this... I think I need to raise the trailer with the level up and tack weld the shackle back in place temporarily for the trip to the shop???

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dougs2 · 09-12-2016, 09:30 PM

I wouldn't move that camper until things get straightened out and welded back in place. Looks like it completely flipped that shackle bracket upside down, little hard to tell from pic, but it's definitely not safe to tow. Probably need to pull the belly covering back and away before doing much welding. From the looks of the rust it's been broken for awhile. I'd be temped to have the axle shop make a trip to you and fix it on the spot if they have a mobile repair truck. But yes you can use your level up to raise it off the ground then get a portable jack under that axle to get things lined up again.
Good luck keep us posted. Doug

**wahoonc** · 09-12-2016, 10:02 PM

I would at the very least get it tack welded back together prior to moving it at all.

Aaron

hddecker · 09-13-2016, 04:18 AM

X3

Do you have 2 broken mounts? The picture looks like the equalizer mount on the oppoiste side failed also.

When I swapped out my axles last fall I wasn't impressed at how flimsy the mounts are. I went looking for a fix. It seems at one time Lippert was of the same opinion, they used to have one of those after thought fixes. They we building a crossbrace that went from a hanger to the opposite hanger.

I was thinking of ordering a set, but they have discontinued them.

Definately a job for a frame and axle shop. If you can find one that custom builds axles even better. If you have damaged any axles, they can build you a better axle than for less money than a Dexter or Lippertt.

They will have the rig to get the new hangers squared up and aligned.

Something to consider if you have any damaged axles would be torsion axles, I would look into them. That is if they build them big enough for them three axle jobs. They would get rid of all of the weak points of the tube axle gear and the provide you with independent suspension. By the time you add up the cost of rebuilding the mounts, new axles if required and related new parts that are needed, it could be close to break even cost wise.

HornedToad · 09-13-2016, 03:03 PM

The hanger was upside down and we couldn't get it lined back up to tack weld. I got the axle straightened with some come along straps and I think those will get me to the shop. I'll be able to drive most the way @ 30 mph on old Hwy 80 with a chase vehicle.

Wish me luck!!!

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ewacowboy · 09-13-2016, 04:16 PM

I can't tell you how many of these Lippert axles I have seen fail like this....same broken welds on all of them.

dougs2 · 09-13-2016, 04:31 PM

I will definitely be inspecting my spring hanger brackets for cracked welds soon. I may even beef them up a little since I recently installed the correct track system and see that it puts even more stress on those hanger brackets.

HornedToad · 09-14-2016, 03:32 PM

The straps & my luck held out and I made it to the shop. If I had a problem on the road plan B was to remove the tires on the broken axle.

The alignment shop is going to fix the broken hanger and reinforce the rest.

Strapping the broken axle was a quick temporary fix that worked... for me!!!

snakebitten · 09-14-2016, 03:41 PM

I thought it was a clever remedy.
Wasn't sure it would work, but sure admired the fearless attitude!

Best of luck.

dougs2 · 09-14-2016, 03:55 PM

So glad you made it to the axle shop ok!! I'd be really interested to see a picture of the brackets after the reinforcement job.

HornedToad · 09-14-2016, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hddecker

Do you have 2 broken mounts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougs2

I will definitely be inspecting my spring hanger brackets for cracked welds soon. I may even beef them up a little...

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakebitten

I thought it was a clever remedy.

I checked the other 5 hangers and all looked OK, however, they all look like less than 1/4 inch plate and obviously not up to hauling around a 20,000 lb trailer.

I ask the shop to replace the broken one with a heavy duty hanger and reinforce all the others. Will post pics when done.

It really wasn't clever at all, just luck. When we couldn't get the bracket lined back up to tack weld... I realized the straps we used to pull it in place would hold it in place.

dougs2 · 09-14-2016, 04:31 PM

While you're in there working on this it would be a good time to replace all of those plastic bushings on the spring and shackle bolts with brass if you haven't already done that, I'm sure the alignment shop is probably already on that.

HornedToad · 09-16-2016, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougs2

While you're in there working on this it would be a good time to replace all of those plastic bushings on the spring and shackle bolts with brass if you haven't already done that, I'm sure the alignment shop is probably already on that.

Excellent suggestion!!!

I have a tailgate this weekend so the shop got me back on the road today with a new hanger for $210.34. He said for me to order the bushing kit and wet bolts and he would swap those out and reinforce the hangers when we had more time.

Can anyone recommend where I should order these???

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chily3 · 09-16-2016, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HornedToad

Excellent suggestion!!!

Can anyone recommend where I should order these???

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etrailer.com good service.

Save

**wahoonc** · 09-17-2016, 11:15 AM

I will second etrailer, I have bought quite a bit from the over the years. Their prices are decent and the service is outstanding.

Aaron

dougs2 · 09-19-2016, 12:50 AM

Repair job looks good!

E-trailer is excellent as mentioned. Another option is the Moryde wet bolt kit, it comes with everything needed and has the heavy shackle straps. Can be ordered from Amazon as well.

DesertRat · 09-19-2016, 09:15 PM

I put my vote in for etrailer also. Have gotten quite a few items from them both personal & work. Great service and no problem if you need to return a item either.

hddecker · 09-20-2016, 12:21 PM

Mike,

Nice looking repair. Makes me rethink the idea of adding the typical bandaid solution that the RV industry is for. I've always thought that the OEM hangers, were just too light for the strain that is being placed on them in the tight maneuvers. That's going to first up after dewinterizing next year,

I see in your new photo, what I thought was a second broken hanger, was the equalizer on the opposite side of your rig.

You might want to knock the sharp corners off of the new hangers. They look like ouch material just waiting to happen and them square corners makes holes in heads. Now that you've beefed up the hangers, keep an eye on your wheels. If those are the OEM wheels, it seems they aren't as robust as your truck wheels. Makes me like my disk wheels all the more.

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