1955 Benroy cleanup & hub & axle replacement ?

[stevegsmith]

Hello folks,

I'm in the midst of cleaning up a 1955 Benroy. I have two boys (5&7) and if I put this off for full restoration, it'll never get done in time to enjoy with them. Besides, they're the only ones that really fit in the thing.

The way I see it, there are three major things to take care of before getting it back on the road:
1. Hatch rebuild (in process, marine ply ribs sandwiched between 1/8 luan, old skin back on, new latch).
2. Beef up front end of trailer frame (the 2x2x1/8 angle is a little too bouncy for my taste).
3. Restore or replace axle (the head scratcher) accompanied with a slight ±3" lift.

So, #3 is where I've been doing most of my thinking....and where I would greatly appreciate some feedback. I had hoped that I could simply pull the hubs, replace the bearings, and put it back together with the axle under the springs instead of perched on top for a 3" lift (the trailer will be pulled by my G-wagen or my wife's diesel Jeep Liberty). After close inspection, one of the hubs appears to have a very slight pulsing. I noticed this when I pulled the wheels. I was hoping it would go away with new bearings. The hub is cast iron so slight variations I would suspect to be normal. But, after replacing the bearings, the action is still there. Observation: with the hub re-intalled, holding very tightly with my fingers for feel instead of the castle-nut, I spin the hub and though the hub face appears to spin true I can feel and see at the spindle a slight axial/lateral pulsing...in and out.

Another thing I observed is that both spindles, after clean-up, have definitely seen some heat in the past. The steel is discolored and blue.

So, I'm stuck with fixing the hub (not likely), finding a replacement hub (not likely, doesn't appear to be available anymore), or replacing the axle altogether. Again, the idea for this project at the moment was to just get it cleaned-up for immediate use AND keep it as original as possible.

BTW, the stock HADCO axle is 1.5" square (solid) with a 3.75" offset with short tapered spindles approximately 5.25" long with inner 1.25" bearings and .75" outer bearings.

This is my last effort to find resources, creative alternatives, expert thoughts, etc. I have a feeling that I'm headed for axle replacement...which may not be a bad thing. They're relatively cheap and putting a straight axle back on the same spring perches will give me the lift I'm looking for. It's just time and expense....I guess.

So....any comments are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[bobhenry]

Sounds like the axle shaft has a malformation due to the heat. That little lump is telegraphing it's presence thru the new bearing into the hub. If your are seriously interested in keeping the unit honest and vintage you may think about getting an opinion from a good machine shop. Sounds like a modest cleanup of the surface of the shaft may eliminate the eliptical orbit of the hub. If you do replace the axle hold onto the original parts should you ever wish to sell the Benroy at a later date.

[stevegsmith]

Thanks Bobhenry. I'm going to run the whole unit over to a machine shop for a looksie.
No matter what I do, I'll definitely keep all of the original parts for potential resale.
I have the original tires & tubes believe it or not! Not safe to use but original keepers nonetheless.

I was looking at the Hadco Engineering website. How cool. Military and commercial grade trailers. Makes sense that that is the origin of the original parts. Heavy duty, full size, yet stubby for the utility market. Most axles are tubes these days. The original axle was solid 1.5" square bar!

Colin Hyde (airstream trailer restorer) is sending me a quote for torsion axles as an option. Very nice guy.