Lowboy Axle Fix..

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The fun never ends..I now have a Lowboy 50 ton trailer axle to repair..The inner bearing exploded and basically fuched up where the bearing goes..Pic #1 Axle..Pic #2 Area cleaned..Pic #3 Worn where the bearing was..Pic #4 Area welded..Pic #5 All set up in my machine..After I got it set up in the machine is when I realized that where the small bearing and where the seal need attention also..I indicated the bearing surface nearest the chuck and just after the threads to dead nuts and in the 1.5" that is the bearing surface on the other end it's out .012!..That tells me that the spindle is bent also..So if nothing is true anymore the seal area 'ain't either..What we do here is take a clean up pass on the big surface so I have something to indicate to zero before I take it back out and weld up the other areas..Next post.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:OK in the first pic you can see the rough turned area (Also gave me a place to put the hold up wheels) and the seal area welded..Pic # 2 is the small bearing area all welded..Pic # 3 is the overall end that needs attention..I will finish machine this Monday..At a REAL S...L.....O.......W...... speed because this thing is SO out of balance the lathe shakes at any speed over 30 R.P.M.I get all the fun jobs.....zap!Last edited by zapster; 03-25-2011 at 12:02 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Hey Zapster, could you share your weld process to a hobbyist like me? Stick welded with hard surfacing rod or perhaps build up rod? Just curious.Thanks,GregLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Originally Posted by papaharley03Hey Zapster, could you share your weld process to a hobbyist like me? Stick welded with hard surfacing rod or perhaps build up rod? Just curious.Thanks,Greg
Reply:He Tigs these, most likely E70s-2 filler Greg.Hey Zap... You posting on the job???? Nice work, it sucks a bit when you get things up and discover you need more weld...Matt(edit) Oooops Zap & I having a speed posting contest here...
Reply:He is a master [GTAW]  TIG weldor
Reply:Originally Posted by Matt_MaguireHey Zap... You posting on the job????
Reply:Thanks for the info. I like to see what 'magic wand' people wave to accomplish various repair tasks.Lincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Looks like nice work.It does look to be a little off balance, be careful.Leo
Reply:You should be mounting counter weights to the axle. If it is balanced better, you will get a lot better finish at higher rpm's. Also, I hope you took a grinder to the galled bearing fit before building it up.
Reply:nice save !  Did they drop off the axle?  Or did you have to pull it too?Pound to fit, paint to match
Reply:Nice job.Biggest trailer axle Ive done is utility trailer. Tube on small trailer axle is bent to get camber, I am guessing this axle was dead straight? PeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:I have been waiting for you to take on a spindle job.  We just sell them new axles.  But at some point with the HD models, the repair is a much cheaper option for sure. Looks good!City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:My buddy has a business called Axle Surgeons.  Well actually he is franchisee of Axle Surgeons.  In these cases he will cut-off the old spindle, torch out the portion inside the tube, install a new chrome-moly spindle, preheat, weld with 11018, and cool slowly with a heat blanket.  All while still installed on the vehicle.  I believe he charges between 900-1200 per spindle depending on the job, takes him between 4-6 hours.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:Originally Posted by tigmuskynice save !  Did they drop off the axle?  Or did you have to pull it too?
Reply:Originally Posted by castweldI am guessing this axle was dead straight? Peter
Reply:nice work on that axle. do you also do the machining on the axle you weld repairedIf you like my stuff you can find me on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/theangryanv...ngryanvilforge
Reply:Pretty cool work Zapster, the TIGing filler looks good. Post final pics please.Gordhttp://gordsgarage.wordpress.com/
Reply:Say, we have a customer that needs an axle repair and uh... I was thinkin' maybe you could take a shot at this.   Attached ImagesCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverSay, we have a customer that needs an axle repair and uh... I was thinkin' maybe you could take a shot at this.
Reply:Nice job Zap!! Bad *** lathe you got there HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:Tanglediver and Zap . Here is an easy solution to both your   spindle troubles  http://www.break.com/index/no-wheel-no-problem-1973198
Reply:Originally Posted by FarmerTanglediver and Zap . Here is an easy solution to both your   spindle troubles  http://www.break.com/index/no-wheel-no-problem-1973198
Reply:Originally Posted by NOMADMADnice work on that axle. do you also do the machining on the axle you weld repaired
Reply:Originally Posted by fordmanNice job Zap!! Bad *** lathe you got thereOriginally Posted by zapsterThanks!It only tried to kill me twice!...zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterThanks!It only tried to kill me twice!...zap!
Reply:Now to finish this up..I used the large bearing surface on the other end with a flat faced center along with the steady rest to support the end..All the machining was done nearest the chuck to keep vibrations and deflection at bay..Came out GREAT!!Pic 1 is the flat faced center..Pic 2 is the steady rest set up..It stayed open the whole time..Pics 3..4 and 5 are the finished spindle..The large bearing size is 90MMThe smaller bearing size is 2.625..The seal area is 4.625......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Very nice job , when you good you good !!!
Reply:Helluva job zap
Reply:Nice work on a challenging job.
Reply:Zap, pretty cool,man. Question, is the brass sleeve protecting the threads threaded on the spindle,or just slipped over?
Reply:Very nice job looks factory had to hard face a cat skid steer spindle last week with it still on the machine glad there "tolerances" were not as tight as those. LOLVantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Originally Posted by curb guyZap, pretty cool,man. Question, is the brass sleeve protecting the threads threaded on the spindle,or just slipped over?
Reply:Hey zap! do you mate the flat faced center with the axle somehow? or it is just there resting?My Babies: HF Drill pressHF Pipe Bender3   4.5" Black and Decker angle grindersLincoln Electric PROMIG 175that´s it!
Reply:Looks like a paving trailer.........Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by elvergonHey zap! do you mate the flat faced center with the axle somehow? or it is just there resting?