Welcome to my blog. My name is Ken. One day, I was driving home from work when the engine in my car failed. While I waited for the recovery truck to arrive, I realised I didn’t have a clue what went on underneath the bonnet of my car. I signed up for an auto service course at my local community college, so I could gain the skills I needed to properly maintain my car and repair it if something when wrong while I was on the road. I wanted to start a blog to pass on these skills to other people so that they can look after their automobiles.
When you're towing any type of trailer, your axle is one of the most critical components that keep your rig together. However, due to wear and tear or heavy loads, you may end up with a cracked trailer axle. It's important to address this problem because a cracked axle can cause serious accidents on the road. What can cause these cacks, and what should you do if you discover such an issue?
Overloading
One of the most common reasons for trailer axle cracks is overloading. When you carry more weight than the axle can support, it puts an excessive amount of stress on the axle. As a result, it can cause the axle to crack. To avoid this problem, make sure you know the weight limit of your trailer and don't exceed it.
Road Vibrations
Vibrations on the road can also cause cracks on your trailer axle. These vibrations are caused by rough road surfaces, uneven roads, and potholes. Over time, these vibrations can lead to damage to your axle. To prevent this problem, try to avoid rough roads, and if you have to drive on them, slow down while doing so.
What Should You Do If You Find Such a Problem?
Step 1: Inspect the Damage
The first step in repairing a cracked trailer axle is to inspect the damage. If the crack is minor, you may be able to repair it with a welding kit at home. However, if the crack is severe, it's best to take your trailer to a professional mechanic.
Step 2: Remove the Axle
To repair a trailer axle, you'll need to remove it from your trailer. This can be done using a jack and jack stands. Be sure to take safety precautions when doing this. Always ensure your trailer is properly secured and can not fall off the jack.
Step 3: Clean the Cracked Area
Once you've removed the axle, you'll need to clean the cracked area. Use a degreaser and sandpaper to clean off any dirt or rust around the crack. This will ensure that your repair job is successful.
Step 4: Weld the Crack
If you're repairing a minor crack, you can use a welding kit to fix it. Use your kit to weld the crack back together. Ensure your welds are consistent and variable. This will help your axle remain strong.
Step 5: Replace the Axle
If your axle had a severe crack that you couldn't repair using a welding kit, you'll need to replace it entirely. Replace the axle alongside all the other components attached to the base of the existing axle. Always take care to ensure everything is attached securely, this will prevent future axle cracks.
The Takeaway
Repairing a cracked trailer axle is a crucial step in maintaining your trailer's safety. However, this is not a job for the causal weekend enthusiast and is usually something the professionals should handle. As such, get in touch with a professional trailer repair mechanic for further advice.
Share26 June 2023
