How to Mount a Tandem Axle Under a Trailer
Your trailer's axles may wear or become damaged over time. You can replace a damaged tandem axle by detaching the leaf spring suspension system to remove the old axle and install the new one. The leaf spring system suspends the axle from the trailer frame, protecting it from damage. In a tandem axle system, two leaf springs suspend axles on either side of the trailer. The leaf springs are connected by an equalizer bar, which distributes the weight evenly across the springs. If your leaf springs wear, the axle may be damaged from absorbing road impact. When mounting your new tandem axle, check the leaf spring assembly for cracks and bends and replace if necessary.
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Things You'll Need
- Blocks
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Socket wrench and socket set
- Torque wrench
- Safety goggles
- Work gloves
Instructions
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1
Lower the trailer tongue jack stand to support the front end. Place blocks under the front corners of the trailer for additional support. Jack up the rear of the trailer and support both sides of the trailer with jack stands. Support both sides of the damaged axle you will be replacing with jack stands to relieve weight from the leaf springs.
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2
Locate the middle hangers on either side of the trailer. The middle hangers hold the equalizer bars, which connect the tandem leaf spring pairs by shackle straps.
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3
Remove the leaf springs from the equalizer bar shackle straps that suspend the old axle with a socket wrench.
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4
Remove the U-bolts and retainer brackets that hold the ends of the axle to the centers of the leaf springs with a socket wrench. Lower the leaf springs to the ground by hand. Remove the old axle from the trailer.
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5
Mount the new axle in the reverse order that you removed the old one. Place the new axle across the centers of the leaf springs. Raising one leaf spring at a time, reattach the leaf springs to the shackle straps on the equalizer bars with bolts and a socket wrench. The axle should be suspended from the leaf springs.
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6
Fasten the new axle ends to the centers of the leaf springs with U-bolts, retainer brackets and a socket wrench.
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7
Tighten all of the bolts to the manufacturer's torque specification with a torque wrench. Remove the blocks and jack stands and lower the trailer.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Perform this procedure with the help of an assistant.
Check the axle for proper alignment before towing the trailer.
Use caution when you are near or under a raised trailer.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
