|
Post by minicamper on Jun 20, 2008 12:39:07 GMT 10
Hey guys,
Am after some advice please..
I've decided after chatting to some professionals that $550 odd is a worthwhile investment in replacing Alby's axle and hubs to get a brand spanker drop axle, hubs and electric brake set up..
The question is, considering i don't have a forklift handy or any amazing welding skills (well none yet ), what do you reckon is the best way to get Alby up, and his undercarriage out? I recall several people tackling this in various ways, but they were from memory, all fibreglass..
Bare in mind, it'd be about two weeks to get the new one back under...
Cheers Chris
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2008 13:40:15 GMT 10
Hi M/C
Loosen the wheel nuts Jack the van up at least 600mm off the ground. Support it on all 4 corners of its chassis. Finish undoing the wheel nuts Remove the wheels. Undo the brake cables from the backing plates. Put a floor jack under each spring just behind where the u bolts bolt around the axle and springs. Undo the nuts on the 4 U bolts holding the axle on the springs. Undo the Upper and lower shackle bolts at the rear of the leaf springs. Knock out the shackle bolts . Lower the spring assemblys to the ground evenly and slide the axle down the springs and out the back of the van.
Go to fridge .. select beer.. take off lid and drink... Axle removed.
Reddo
|
|
|
Post by minicamper on Jun 20, 2008 18:47:22 GMT 10
Reddo, no brakes to worry about, that's why i'm doing what i'm doing, but isn't it easier to leave the springs in? I was wondering about what people have done to suspend vans off the ground, but i guess wooden blocks will do. Fibreglass one's wouldn't be strong enough...
|
|
|
Post by humpty2 on Jun 20, 2008 19:21:23 GMT 10
Usually the backing plates and the brakes are only held onto the axle with 4 nuts and bolts. Removing the springs has not been necessary when I have changed an axle on a caravan. Whatever you place your van on after you jack it up, make sure it can't break e.g. bricks, pavers, monier blocks etc. Invest in some jack stands.
|
|
|
Post by Geoff & Jude on Jun 20, 2008 19:52:22 GMT 10
hi chris
what humpty said about stands - better to spend a few bob and have the van securely held rather than fall of wobbly stands.
as for completely dropping the springs, when we fitted the electric axle to 'the ritz', we only removed the front shackle bolts, then lowered the axle and spring combination until the springs sat on the ground.
we then unbolted the 'u' bolts and let the axle slide down the springs - simple and worked well.
it's fairly difficult to drag the axle out through the wheel arch (without dropping the spring) and you'll probably find that it won't go back in with the backing plates attached anyway.
and one more hint - if you're doing the job on the grass, put some old ply or masonite sheets down to make sliding the axle out sideways a bit easier.
the whole job shouldn't take more than an hour or two (not counting the hand brake connection and wiring).
geoff 'n jude
|
|
tonyh
Full Member
"Dolly" 1967 Riviera
Posts: 256
|
Post by tonyh on Jun 21, 2008 22:21:23 GMT 10
Hi Chris, I know you guys are really into your timber ;D ;D but just this once do what Humpty 2 suggests and buy some good steel stands. We do like to have you around. Just to add to Reddo's instructions - don't put in the new axle after a couple of cold ones ;D ;D ;D ;D cheers, th ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2008 17:45:29 GMT 10
Hi M/C the reason i mentioned dropping the springs ( either via they way i mentioned or the way Geoff mentioned) is because your axle is a dropped ( offset) axle . These things flop all over the place when you try and take em out with the shackles / springs still in place. The brake drums act like counter weights and want to drop to the bottom while you are wrestling with the axle. Much easier to slide it down the springs than to wind it out over the springs like a corkscrew and out the side via a wheel arch. Its your call. Reddo
|
|
|
Post by humpty2 on Jun 22, 2008 19:58:32 GMT 10
Good point Reddo..........I have only ever changed straight axles. There is nothing "bent" here. ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by minicamper on Jun 23, 2008 7:51:46 GMT 10
Thanks Guys, Axle stands and the somewhat unique stabilisers were the go. Fortunately Alby has been well cared for and all the U bolt nuts came off realtively easy. At this stage I opted to to drop the springs as i was able to get the axle and hubs out from underneath, passing them through. Obviously, with some fat electric brake hubs attached, I'll have to tackle reinstallation differently.. Only took an hour at most.. And no i didn't do it in the dark, just forgot to take pics until almost too late... Cheers Chris
|
|