8' x 5' Tandem Axle Trailer

Axle Fitting

Now is a good time to fit the springs and axle to the trailer as this is the last time you will be able to work on your trailer running gear without having to get on your back.

Hub Fitting

Prepare a very clean surface and hand pack your bearings with grease, take your time, the more you can work the grease into the bearings the better.hub-cross-section.png

Over a clean axle, slide the seal retaining washer and seal onto the axle shoulder. Fit the larger inner back end bearing into the hub and tap on the seal wear ring. Grab a good handful of grease and apply it to the inside of the hub and slide the hub over the axle until the back bearing rests against the axle shoulder and seal.

Check that the seal is fitted into the hub and slide the smaller front end outer bearing into the hub.

Fit the washer and castle nut and tighten the nut up until resistance is felt. Give the nut a quick nip and then back off approximately 1/4 of a turn or until the slot in the castle nut lines up with the hole in the axle.

Check that the hub rotates freely and fit the split pin through the castle nut and axle and twist to lock in place.

Tap on the dust cap and repeat for the other hub.

Axle

Position the front spring tails into the suspension rocker and lift the other end up into the spring hanger and bolt into position. Lift the rear springs into the slipper and then lift up and bolt into the suspension rocker unit.

Slide the axle from one side of the trailer, over the spring through so it rests on both springs. Align the spring centre bolts with the holes drilled in the axle. Bolt axles to the springs with "U" bolts and spring plates.

tandem-axle-spring-setup.png

If you have a braking hubs, you will need to fit the axles to the springs prior to lifting and bolting the springs into position.

When tightening the "U" bolt nuts, it pays to tighten each nut a little at a time, working your way around the four nuts.

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