HF axle flip question

[madjack]

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[RogHodge]

Thanks guys- I’ve been grinding the spring hangers for clearance- pics coming when light shines again. Now that I have the official thumbs up from Madjack I can proceed with confidence.
Rick and Hugh- thank you for the feedback - It helps to have extra eyes.

[satch]

It's why we are here
Keep us in the "up" on your progress

[RogHodge]

This post is a repeat from a question asked elsewhere but I thought anyone following might like to have a look.
Here is what you can expect when you swap out 12â€

[Mike_La]

[TwilightLane]

Bookmarking this thread!! Thanks!!

[RogHodge]

I'm moving forward to replacing the bearings and races-

And for what it's worth the HF drill bits are Crap with a capitol CRAP- They might be made of lead, or possibly tin with a shinny yellow coating. I broke 2 or 3 and bent one- it BENT!! I didn’t think a bit could bend- and not slightly wobbly- FOLDED better than 90 degrees!?!! With a hand drill. Sure it could be operator error , but dang. I always figure that HF tools are a gamble- you lay your money down, take your chances. Not exactly heirloom quality - but this is ridiculous. I’m taking them back- like Cramer with a bad cantaloupe.


Rant officially over- We now return to our regularly scheduled program (unless they don’t take then back- then you’ll be hearing from me)

[synaps3]

I was in the process of flipping my axle when I realized that I would need to grind the hangers (like you did ).

Well, looks like I'll be picking up an angle grinder tomorrow

[Nic]

Ok wait! Can someone explain this to me? I see what has been done here with "flipping the axle" so i get that part. But what i don't get is why other than to make it ride lower? I had the 8" wheels and changed to the 12" too. Is flipping something i NEED to do after going with 12" wheels?

[RogHodge]

s3- I used three different tools for the hanger adaptation. If you use only an angle grinder you are going to be there for a longtime. A saber saw with a good metal cutting blade will work, I also used a circular saw with an abrasive blade that worked well where it fit. The angle grinder was used to smooth things out and remove sharp edges.

Nic- I wanted to lower my tear (and have the fun experience). I don’t think there is any NEED to flip the axle. You have probably been camping for quite a while without realizing the great peril of your axle placement.

[satch]

Nic, I think it's mainly for appearence reasons, but also, if your trailer is higher than the TV, it creates more wind resistance. So lower may help with controling the trailer and gas mileage

[madjack]

I was in the process of flipping my axle when I realized that I would need to grind the hangers (like you did ).

Well, looks like I'll be picking up an angle grinder tomorrow

s3,(gotta real name???) if you get an angle grinder, don't cut the metal with the grinder wheel, get a cutting wheel(or three) for it...it will be very thin, designed for cutting metals...don't use it for grinding, just cutting and don't flex it in the cut and it will cut your metal wonderfully well.......
madjack

[synaps3]

I have a dremel I'll probably use for the actual cutting. I have some carbon blades that work well on the metal.

I just need an excuse to get a grinder.

- Dave

[RogHodge]

Dave-
Jack is correct (of course) about the grinder- the right blade in an angle grinder would make short work of the spring hangers. A dremel!?!?- I think not- you will go through dozens of those blades before you ever get the job done-

If you want to use the tools you have on hand- or one you will defiantly/must have then use the jig saw- that won’t be a justification tool but one that you will use throughout the process.

Just my 2 cents

[synaps3]

Done with two dremel wheels. I guess I'm just a ninja.