Does this look bent?

[PaulyB]

One of my trailer tires is kicked inward from bottom to top, I thought it was a bent axle. I took it to a trailer shop to have the axle measured and they told me the axle looks straight and said it may be the bearings. So I ordered a new hub and bearing kit. After taking the hub off, the spindle looks like it may be kicked up a bit to me. Is there a way to change just the bearing or is it going to need a whole axle?

 

[Beachbummer]

It's really hard to tell without a frame of reference. Do you have a 6ft level? Any long true sick may help. At a molecular level it is never straight... If you look from far enough away and squint it looks perfect I'm sure. A new axle is like 250 and a pain to install. I would service the bearings and apply the real test... Drive it and see what it does.

 

[Ilmmct]

agree with @Beachbummer, kind of hard to tell without a precise frame of reference ... but looks bent to me

 

[Beachbummer]

Well, if you cheat by drawing grid lines....

No just kidding, that's an awesome perspective. It does look bent like that.

 

[Zeusmotorworks]

Bent upwards... not uncommon failure on lighter duty trailers.

 

[PaulyB]

Bent upwards... not uncommon failure on lighter duty trailers.

Is there a way to replace the spindle?

 

[Beachbummer]

It's welded on. If you find a good trailer shop maybe they can fix it? Not sure myself, but seems plausible.

 

[swatski]

Is there a way to replace the spindle?

Yes, it does look bent, and yes it can be fixed, but I don't think it is a DIY job. I had that done once, they just weld a new one on. But a new axle may not be much more, If you find a shop you can trust I would just do what they recommend.
In my case a tell-tail sign was tire wear.

--

 

[Zeusmotorworks]

These days a new axle would probably be less expensive that paying for the labor to fix it. You will have to see. Also, it all depends on how handy you are and what tools you have available. Guarantee you it will be less expensive if you can swap the axle yourself. If not, you'll just have to get quotes.

 

[Gym]

If you mount the tire you should be able to put a straight edge across the tops of both the front and rear tires. If it's perfect your straight edge will touch both sides (L & R) of both tires. If, as you believe, it's bent up the straight edge will touch the L & R side of the rear tire evenly but not the front.