Trailer problem-please help!!! Mechanical question..

[peaceandquiet1]

Today I had my trailer serviced. The mechanic came to my yard and advised me that the thread on the stub where the wheel attaches was damaged, requiring a new axle! It turns out the wait time for a new axle is weeks/months....my oh thinks the mechanic damaged the thread when he was replacing the wheel. I have no clue, but am facing a huge bill and a lengthy time without the use of my box

That wheel has never been replaced or removed or anything since new...

 

[wkiwi]

Not a mechanic or anything, but had a wheel come loose one time and it damaged the threads - it was very obvious that the damage was new (shiny slithers compared to the old remaining thread), so may pay to look and see what it looks like and take photos.
Also, it was probably a different type of axle but only had to have the damaged stub bits punched out and replaced with new stubs (don't know what they are called) and it was not expensive and very quick. Might be a good idea to ask a trailer place that specialises in that brand of trailer.
If you do have to get a new axle, then I would buy it yourself (to avoid the mechanic putting their mark up on too) and get a different mechanic to replace.

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Its an Ifor Williams. Apparently you have to buy the whole axle. At a cost of hundreds. Never had a loose wheel or anything happen to it...

 

[turnbuckle]

Can't quite visualise, but odds are a little local engineering shop should clean it up quite quickly even if totally knacked. Even if they have to build up with weld and re-cut the threads its not a massive job.

Sounds as though pulling of a fast one might be in progress. Suggest you get a mechanic you really trust to come out and look at it. If you don't know one and are an AA or RAc member they might come out?

Would suggest getting a stub axle from a trailer being scrapped but there aren't huge numbers of those.

 

[DabDab]

I'm not at all familiar with Ifor Williams trailers, but I would suspect that after a lifetime in situ the wheel was a little stuck on and the mechanic had to be a bit 'creative' with how he got it off. But there's no way to prove that really, it could've been poorly made or poorly fitted originally. So while I wouldn't use that mechanic again, you don't stand much chance of getting him to cover the cost.

I would find another mechanic, get their thoughts and see if you really do have to replace the whole axle

 

[wkiwi]

Not sure if they are exactly the same thing, but if you google "ifor williams trailer wheel studs" then they come up for sale all over the place (including ebay) for less that £15 for a set of 4. I would definitely investigate further before buying a whole axle.

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Unfortunately I think the whole axle will need to be replaced as that's the way the part is designed, its crazy, i expected to have my trailer all ready for the show season and now we are stranded....IF parts department just told me I had to go through a main dealer....but i can't get it there

 

[turnbuckle]

Stop panicking and listen to the advice in my previous post.

 

[ROG]

Try a PM to member - trailer guy

 

[1rocky1]

Take a picture and forward it to ifor see wot they say !

 

[Midwychequestrain]

it's a common problem with ifors a local engineering place will be able to re cut the thread

 

[Bob notacob]

Can't quite visualise, but odds are a little local engineering shop should clean it up quite quickly even if totally knacked. Even if they have to build up with weld and re-cut the threads its not a massive job.

Sounds as though pulling of a fast one might be in progress. Suggest you get a mechanic you really trust to come out and look at it. If you don't know one and are an AA or RAc member they might come out?

Would suggest getting a stub axle from a trailer being scrapped but there aren't huge numbers of those.

VERY bad advice.The stub axle is what we call ,"safety critical" It is a single component which ,if it fails ,can kill . You apply weld,you create stresses and metallurgical changes .I would be VERY surprised if the mechanic could damage the thread simply by dismantling it . If he didnt ,be grateful that he is observant . If he did ,then my guess would be that there had to be a preexisting problem .Be grateful that he is not a cowboy and told you the truth. There is no reason to expect him to cover the cost .

 

[turnbuckle]

NO, properly done it can be built up safely.

 

[DabDab]

NO, properly done it can be built up safely.

Metallurgically it really isn't - a load bearing thread made of weld is a hell of a risk, and I would like to think that most local fabricators wouldn't do it. Not to say that someone wouldn't get away with it on a trailer axle, because they may well do, but I would never consider it safe. Like you say though, the OP seeing if the thread can be recut/cleaned up would be a good place to start

 

[Midwychequestrain]

as turnbuckle says if done properly it will be perfectly safe. It happens all the time on Ifors, the thread on the stub axle isn't up to much and all it takes it a small piece of rust and it strips. Take it on the 3 remaining wheels to your local Ifor dealer and they'll be able to sort it

 

[popsdosh]

Please OP get a second opinion ! you are asking on here about an issue we cannot see a photo of . If it is just the threads there are ways of doing it that may be safe ,however none that involve welding will ever be due to the grade of steel used and setting up weak points that break. If the problem also involves the stub axle due to damaged bearings then indeed the whole axle needs replacing and are not as expensive as you think. IE just did an equi trek and the new axle was £294 which included the whole unit with new brakes and hubs. IW should be a lot cheaper as its a lot simpler design . And made by the same company!
Just a word of warning some more agricultural repair people may try to bodge it up but you have to decide if its worth the risk as its not their horse. I say that coming from a farming background that carry out our own repairs. Having an axle snap on a agricultural machine is not as much of an issue as with livestock on the road and may justify taking a chance.

 

[turnbuckle]

Ah, if the bits are that much (little) I'll backtrack (I'm graceful, me). To build up properly CAN be done and is done with historic vehicles (which race, too, so big stresses) and done safely, but it does need skilled welding, not a bloke with a torch.

But the lead time seems mad. Do pattern parts exist? Not that up on trailers.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Today I had my trailer serviced. The mechanic came to my yard and advised me that the thread on the stub where the wheel attaches was damaged, requiring a new axle! It turns out the wait time for a new axle is weeks/months....my oh thinks the mechanic damaged the thread when he was replacing the wheel. I have no clue, but am facing a huge bill and a lengthy time without the use of my box

That wheel has never been replaced or removed or anything since new...

Take a look this document to get a better idea of what your mechanic is talking about.

Sounds like a flaky excuse to me, and without knowing what kind of trailer you have, it's hard to know exactly what could be wrong and how to fix it.

 

[popsdosh]

Ah, if the bits are that much (little) I'll backtrack (I'm graceful, me). To build up properly CAN be done and is done with historic vehicles (which race, too, so big stresses) and done safely, but it does need skilled welding, not a bloke with a torch.

But the lead time seems mad. Do pattern parts exist? Not that up on trailers.

Yes the lead times are mad ,I cannot understand why they(trailer manufacturers) dont keep spares in stock . However Knott Avonride are on about 4-6 week lead time at present for manufacture. Ifors may be easier to replicate as they are a simpler design.

 

[popsdosh]

Sounds like absolute nonsense to me. I'm not a mechanic by profession, but I think I've learned a thing or two about vehicles and about garage mechanics over the years.

Usually, a wheel attaches to the hub either

• by four or five bolts, or
• by four or five studs that then have nuts to hold the wheel.

Take a look at part 25 on page 40 of this document to see what I mean by "hub" (since that term is also sometimes used for the centre of a wheel)

Even if the internal threads of the hub (that receive the bolts or studs) are damaged, it should be possible to repair just the hub, without needing to repair the whole axle.

You don't mention if your trailer is a braked or an unbraked model; repairing a braked hub will be more complicated, but certainly something that a proper garage can do easily.

Its a horse trailer so it will be braked!

Its not the hub that needs repairing it is the Stub axle that the hub is fixed to with the bearings a very critical part!!!

 

[turnbuckle]

Yes the lead times are mad ,I cannot understand why they(trailer manufacturers) dont keep spares in stock . However Knott Avonride are on about 4-6 week lead time at present for manufacture. Ifors may be easier to replicate as they are a simpler design.

Quite possibly a generic bit would fit. There's a local firm, RJB Trailers Bedale who are very nice. May be worth Googling and asking if they can do a pattern stub ex stock?

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Is it actually possible to tow it on three wheels? I mean to a dealer.....

 

[pennyturner]

A good engineer can usually fix anything. Unfortunately most folk these days are only up to replacement of parts.

I had a 1940s trailer, whose wheel stud came loose. The studs were wider diameter than those used on later trailers. After much research I found places who could recast the hub, allowing a smaller stub to be fitted, or take an impression and cast a totally new one.

However, my local blacksmith was the best. He fixed it (cheaply), by turning the hub through 1/8 of a turn, and drilling 4 new stud holes to fit modern studs, and sawing off the old studs. Job done.

 

[Midwychequestrain]

OP you can tow it on 3 wheels, just go steady and you'll be fine