Narrow a Flexride?

[Steve Frederick]

I'm thinking about cutting 12" out of a Flexride 60" axle.
I know there's a rubber insert in the ends. I want to cut from the center and weld it back together. Setting it up to the original camber shouldn't be a problem. I'm just wondering about that rubber.
Any thoughts?

[toypusher]

I would think that you need to contact the company for sure. But the only thing that would concern me with the little information that I have is that the rubber would be damaged during the rewelding process.

[mikeschn]

I would give southwest wheel a call... 1-800-866-3339

I suspect that the rubber doesn't go in that far... seeing as how they build torsion stub axles that are only about 8 or 9" long...

Mike...

[doug hodder]

I'd think that after you section the axle, poke a rod in and see where they end, wrap the axle like 18" on each side of the weld with towels and drench them with water, if you're concerned. I think the stubs are going to be far enough away however. Just an idea. Doug

[Elumia]

put a cap on it and turn it into half axles?
sell it as is and use the funds to buy a 4' one? or barter for a trade?

Mark

[DrCrash]

I seen some where that some one did what your talking about and had no problems. I think it was Arizona tear, I will scrunge and see if I can find it.

[DrCrash]

My bad I found it. Thought it was a flexi ride turned out to be a springer.


Ken Fincher was the builder[/img]

[angib]

Any thoughts?

Sounds like a good plan to me - as long as you don't want Flexiride to guarantee it after you're done.

I don't think the rubber goes very far into the tube and several trailer builders have welded torsion axles into their frames within inches of the rubber, so I don't think the risk is high.

Andrew

[dguff]

Let us know how it comes out. I have a Dexter that is about 86" from hub to hub and would be nice shortened.

Jerome

[brian_bp]

While it seems that the cut-and-weld approach can be done successfully, I believe that the ideal (not cheapest) method would be to have a Flexiride dealer remove the rubber cartridges (they are intended to be replaceable, but not by the user), shorten or replace the tube, then have the cartridges reinstalled. No risk of rubber damage from heat; presumably no loss of warranty coveage on the cartridges. If it is done by replacement of the tube, the result would be lighter than any splicing job of comparable strength.

Since the cartridges are removable, I wonder if the removal and replacement could be a do-it-yourself job, although it would not be endorsed (or warrantied) by the manufacturer.

[Arne]

If i go wheels under instead of wheels outside, I plan on cutting out the center section and rewelding, then putting 12" long angle iron on opposing sides for reinforcing....... I'm not worried about the rubber, it does not come in that far....

[Alphacarina]

I'm thinking about cutting 12" out of a Flexride 60" axle.
I know there's a rubber insert in the ends. I want to cut from the center and weld it back together. Setting it up to the original camber shouldn't be a problem. I'm just wondering about that rubber.
Any thoughts?

If you ask the manufacturer, they'll tell you 'NO!' - What else CAN they say, since they have no control over how you'll do it or how good you can weld. They want to absolve themselves of ANY liability should something go wrong down the line

It's doable - I've done a couple. Keep some water trickleing over the ends where the rubber is so you don't overheat anything and the rubber won't be a concern - Weld and reinforce the center just as you would any axle

Don