Torsion axle going bad?

[steve37887]

I am wondering how to tell if the torsion axles on my 2008 Forest River Rockwood Ultra Lite are going bad. Attached is a picture from one side of the rear axle. Is that rubber that's torn an indication that the axle is going bad? I've read about jacking the trailer up and measuring for at least 1.5" drop but was curious if there's other ways to tell before we have a catastrophic failure on a trip.

 

[Mokurt]

I would think that if there are signs of the rubber deteriorating that could be an issue..
Is there any slop if you try moving the spindle up and down in and out ?

 

[acadianbob]

Is the trailer sagging on one side or the other?

 

[steve37887]

I would think that if there are signs of the rubber deteriorating that could be an issue..
Is there any slop if you try moving the spindle up and down in and out ?

No, there's not and there's no weird tire wear on any tires and the trailer appears to ride fine. I'm going to try jacking it up and measuring the tire drop later today. I read if it doesn't drop at least 1.5" it needs replaced.

 

[steve37887]

Is the trailer sagging on one side or the other?

No when it's on level ground it sits level side to side.

 

[Chuck_S]

Not seen any reports on any failures nor do mine seen to be sagging -- but I've not pulled the wheel assembly to look at them like the photo.

Note these axles are common on general, utility, and hot shot trailers and a real trailer shop would be my recommendation vs an RV shop. A complete axle-wheel assembly (or two) may have much less labor costs -- lift the trailer body and slide new axles under -- than repairing the existing axles and be price competitive. But probably not at Camping World.

Fixing to take my 2006 Roo camping this coming weekend and this has never entered my book of fears to date.

-- Chuck

 

[steve37887]

Not seen any reports on any failures nor do mine seen to be sagging -- but I've not pulled the wheel assembly to look at them like the photo.

Note these axles are common on general, utility, and hot shot trailers and a real trailer shop would be my recommendation vs an RV shop. A complete axle-wheel assembly (or two) may have much less labor costs -- lift the trailer body and slide new axles under -- than repairing the existing axles and be price competitive. But probably not at Camping World.

Fixing to take my 2006 Roo camping this coming weekend and this has never entered my book of fears to date.

-- Chuck

I had ours to the camper shop where we bought it from to have the bearings replaced along with the brakes changed and it looked like that and they didn't say anything about possible failure. However we had a bearing go out on us during our trip this weekend and the mobile repair guy said I should replace them soon because of that. So now after sitting roadside for 3 hours this last trip and a high repair bill its on my list of fears...lol. Just trying to decide if it will last for the remaining 3 trips we have planned this year then I can replace both axles in the offseason.

 

[Chuck_S]

Keep us informed on this, please. Complete new spindle-brake assemblies just bolt on.

-- Chuck

 

[llr2800]

I am wondering how to tell if the torsion axles on my 2008 Forest River Rockwood Ultra Lite are going bad. Attached is a picture from one side of the rear axle. Is that rubber that's torn an indication that the axle is going bad? I've read about jacking the trailer up and measuring for at least 1.5" drop but was curious if there's other ways to tell before we have a catastrophic failure on a trip.

Where are you seeing the rubber? I don't see it.

The arm and the axle shaft should be solidly connected. It does look a little odd in the picture but has been too long since I looked at one.

The rubber is inside the main axle housing, between the housing and the axle shaft, no way to visually inspect it.

 

[steve37887]

Where are you seeing the rubber? I don't see it.

The arm and the axle shaft should be solidly connected. It does look a little odd in the picture but has been too long since I looked at one.

The rubber is inside the main axle housing, between the housing and the axle shaft, no way to visually inspect it.

I circled it here. It's what the guy who replaced the bearing for us pointed out. I didn't think it was part of the internal rubber, it looks like maybe a seal between the tube and arm?