I'm converting a boat trailer to a deck-over flatbed. I moved the axle from above the spring to below the spring. And I turned the axle up side down so the drop became a rise. That gave me three inches of clearance above the tire. But now I notice that the tires are cambered in at the top. I had not noticed that they were cambered out before, but of course they were. How much trouble am I in? I'm guessing that the wheel is supposed to be cambered out so more weight is carried by the larger inner bearing. And the hub will "want" to stay on the spindle and not be forced against the retainer nut. Perhaps I could have an alignment shop re-arch the axle the other way? Better yet, do it myself?
You shouldn't flip the axle its self. You should just put the springs over the axle, you will need to purchase new spring perches for the springs to set on and weld them to the axle tube exactly opposite of the old ones. This will keep the camber of the axle the same.
Yes, I could make the perches easily enough myself -- they are just flat stock. Then I would need to space the entire suspension assembly down from the frame, but that's easy enough, as this is a "self contained" assembly that is bolted to the frame. I'd just weld short lenghts of channel under the frame and mount the suspension to that. I'm still thinking of bending the axle, but there is no doubt some risk involved. Appreciate the input!
Mission accomplished. I had some old 2x6 channel in the back yard, so two four-foot lengths of that became the risers under the frame. Axle under spring, correct side up. Re-bend the axle -- cheese - what was I thinking! LOL Thanks for the input!
Glad to hear you didn't bent the axle. It would never be correct again! The reason for the camber is that as the trailer bounces over bumps the axle tube flexes and absorbs some of the shock. An unloaded trailer will have the tires in slightly at the bottomand as weight is put on, it evens out.
