Widen HF axle

[gman]

I would like to run my extra set of 15" chrome rims but need more back space, thinking of cutting stock axel in two, inserting it into a piece of steel tubing, rewelding, and re locating the spring mount inward about 2" on each side. Does this sound like the way to go, or should I replace th entire length of axle and just re weld the hubs?

[SteveH]

Gman,

That's the way I'd do it. Just make shure the tubing you use is strong enough, and the welds are good.

[purplepickup]

I would like to run my extra set of 15" chrome rims but need more back space, thinking of cutting stock axel in two, inserting it into a piece of steel tubing, rewelding, and re locating the spring mount inward about 2" on each side. Does this sound like the way to go, or should I replace th entire length of axle and just re weld the hubs?

Gman, I would like to widen mine too and the only thing I see that would be affected is the location of the spring perches. After widening the axle the perches would be outwards of where the spring is. Welding on another set would solve that problem.

Another potential problem that I ran into is that I couldn't find an "off the shelf" tubing size that had the right ID to fit the axle tube. Mine measures 1.655" OD, with the paint (probably 16.5mm without). I have the ability to bore the tube or pipe ID to fit but if you find one that fits let us know.

[len19070]

Arnereil
widened his HF axel, and trailer. Since hes towed it halfway around the planet what ever he did must have worked. Arne..jump in anytime.

When I narrow my HF frames I get a situation with the Axel Pins. There the pins that stick up on the springs and go into the axel for proper width spacing. Just by drilling another hole takes care of that. Drilling through the "C" chanel is easy, once you get into the spindle it gets a little tough, but it can be done.

Happy Trails

Len

[Arne]

I just saw this... we used a scrap piece of square tubing which was a good fit (not perfect, but very close) and cut the axle in the middle.... we drilled a few 1/2" holes along the sq. tube so we could weld the stubs in place.... at the end of the sq, it was heated and beat down and fully welded all around the axle for strength and to keep water out.

The trailer was widened to 60 inches,and the axle was widened to match. The stock wheels were used so I didn't have to move the spring mounts. Trailer and axle were widened equally.

I think the sq. was 1/4 inch wall (I"m sure it was not less than 1/4"), but don't recall the inside measurement.

Look at the first few pics here:

http://www.freewebs.com/arnereil/

[gman]

\

Another potential problem that I ran into is that I couldn't find an "off the shelf" tubing size that had the right ID to fit the axle tube. Mine measures 1.655" OD, with the paint (probably 16.5mm without). I have the ability to bore the tube or pipe ID to fit but if you find one that fits let us know.[/quote]

The 7" ginder could make the axle fit if it was a little big, just not sure if it is the best way, was thinking at least 12" on each side would do, so a three foot piece, or a just get a long enough piece of square and put the whole thing inside of it and weld it at the ends, then re attach the perches.

[Arne]

Don't weld it just at the meeting point.. there will always be movement regardless of how tight it feels. Drill holes and weld it in place.

If the axle in only slightly oversize and you are using square tube, I would grind flats on the axle to make it fit. And I would only grind on 2 sides. not 4.

12" is plenty.... remember that area has a lot less strain on it because of leverage, distance from load.

[SteveH]

Gman,

Another thing you can do if you can't find square tubing the correct size is use two pieces of angle iron. I would be more welding, not look as "pretty", but would work just as good.

[gman]

Gman,

Another thing you can do if you can't find square tubing the correct size is use two pieces of angle iron. I would be more welding, not look as "pretty", but would work just as good.

Thanks, had considered that too, as to pretty well anyone that does not like how it looks when done is welcome to do it over at their expense until it looks right to them!

[purplepickup]

Ya know, this is what I like about this forum. We have the advantage of having many brains working here. Simple as it was, I was stuck on the thought of putting a round peg into a round hole and didn't even consider a round peg into a square hole. ....funny how sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.