Torsion Axle Repair Guide (Torsion Axle Replacement Cost)
Replacement is often the best choice. When parts get old or start to go bad, it may be tempting to simply repair them instead of replacing the whole axle. But some axles may not be repairable and you are looking at replacing them no matter what is wrong.
Torsion axles contain rubber rods inside of them. Those rubber rods provide the torsion you want when you start towing your trailer. But when they get old or damaged, the only possible solution is to replace the rubber rod if not the whole axle if it was damaged.
To learn more about this topic, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can make the right repair decision for your trailer. Conditioning the rubber rod is out of the question even though some people swear by it.
Torsion Axle Repair
Do Torsion Axles Wear Out?
Yes, they can but to tell you the truth, you do not have to worry about this problem for about 15 to 20 years. That is their rated lifespan if everything goes as planned. Some may wear out sooner than that and you simply have to deal with that short lifespan.
When yours finally wears out, the only real repair option would be to replace the torsion axle. The parts inside are not built in such a way that you can pull some out, replace them and then put everything back together again.
The torsion aspect of these axles is built from rubber cords. When they wear out, you can’t rebuild or repair them. They have to be replaced if possible.
Then if you have an accident and the torsion axle is damaged, then the only repair option you have is to replace the damaged axle. This item is not built for renewal but for removal when it gets old or damaged.
How do I Know If My Torsion Axle is Worn Out?
There is a simple test you can conduct that will provide this answer for you. But you will need a jack or two to see the results of the test. The first thing you do is jack up one side.
Then you watch the wheel as the weight is being removed from it. If the wheel does not drop 1 1/2 inches as it is being lifted then you need a new torsion axle. Don’t forget to do both sides of your trailer to make sure the torsion axle is bad.
This is a common problem that will happen no matter how much you tow your trailer. But one thing is for sure before they go bad, the torsion axle is more reliable than the spring suspension system.
They will make your ride smoother which makes for a calmer and more peaceful towing situation. There are some good brands out there making top torsion axles. The key is not to go with the cheaper inferior models.
What is The Life Expectancy Of a Torsion Axle?
You are looking at using this device for about 15 to 20 years before you have to replace it. That is a very good lifespan as many trailer owners do not own their trailers for 15 years.
They usually upgrade to a better more modern trailer and then let the torsion bar they installed be someone else’s problem. But they will get their money’s worth out of that torsion bar long before they trade the trailer in.
One clarification, the actual metal bars may never wear out. It is the rubber cord inside that will lose its elasticity and can harden over time. The only time you will have a problem with the metal bar is if you bend it in some way or have it damaged in some sort of an accident.
At that point, it would be worth checking into the cost of replacing the entire torsion bar. They may not be as cheap these days as they once were. If you tow your trailer frequently each year, then you may have those torsion bars last about 25 years.
Can You Repair a Torsion Axle?
The simple answer is no. These products cannot be rebuilt and it is very difficult to remove the old rubber cord and replace it with a new one. According to one source, you need expensive equipment to remove and insert those rubber cords. That equipment is supposed to cost a lot of money.
Then if the axle is bent or damaged, there is no way to repair it. You have to replace it with a new one. There is no real way to repair these products. Even boat trailers that have torsion axles cannot have those axles repaired.
Nor can they be welded together again. It is just the way the different companies have made these axles. Whether that design was done on purpose or it was the only way to make this product, doesn’t matter. Everyone is stuck with this scenario.
The best thing you can do is to buy one of the better brand’s models and hopefully, it lasts a very long time. This is another area where you should not cheap out and save a few bucks.
Can You Replace One End Of a Torsion Axle?
If we said yes, then we would render all the previous information moot and contradict everything everyone knows about torsion bars. The answer is no, you cannot fix just one end of these axles.
Once it breaks, that is the end of it and you would have to replace the entire item. One option for replacement can be the Timbren axle-less suspension kit that you can buy from e-Trailer and similar outlets.
It removes the entire shaft from the equation and protects your trailer from bending the shaft and ruining the axle. Other than that, the word is that it is very impractical to repair a torsion axle.
The integrity of the construction would be compromised and very unsafe to use. This is one repair where replacement is your only option. The only part that can be repaired or replaced on a torsion axle would be the spindle.
You should be able to find the spindle at many different outlets that specialize in axles or torsion axles.
Torsion Axle Rubber Replacement
As far as we can see, there are no rubber replacements on sale anywhere. We checked the Dexter website’s product line up as well as other torsion bar sellers and none offer this part.
If you can replacement may be very difficult. You may be able to find replacement spindles but that is the only part that Dexter made replaceable. This difficulty is not due to the lack of raw materials or supply chain issues.
Those problems set back delivery by up to 26 weeks at some outlets. You can get complete torsion axles if you need to replace your current models but you cannot buy the individual parts.
If you are tired of torsion axles or the entire replacement system, there is a long line of axleless suspension systems for trailers. Those systems will run you around $700 to $1200 depending on the seller.
Torsion Axle Repair Kit
We have not found any of these either. They are not listed at Dexter or other outlets selling axles or similar parts. There are lift kits, spindle threading sets, and other kits but nothing for torsion bars.
We did come across a trailer parts outlet that had a line of spindles and arms for sale. Those parts you can replace with ease and there is a kit for the torsion arm, in fact, there are a couple of those available.
As for the interior of the axle and the rubber parts, there is no such kit available. Now one person did ask at one RV discussion forum if it was possible to insert conditioner fluid to recondition the rubber inside.
There are several problems with that idea as the rubber is usually past the point of being reconditioned and this would be a waste of money. Another problem is that there would be no exit for the conditioner and that fluid may interfere with the rubber’s operation of the swing arms.
The chemicals that made the rubber soft in the first place would have disappeared and there would be no way to reinsert those chemicals. Another owner had reconditioned some rubber carb boots soaking them in every green and may try that product on the torsion rubber pieces.
There is no word if he was successful or not. All this adds up to the fact you cannot escape replacing your torsion axles.
Can You Replace The Torsion Axles?
If you are talking about the complete axle replacement, then this is the only option you have available. You can replace the spindle and possibly the arm but those repairs will not replace the axle. You would still be using older rubber to get the tension you want.
It is possible to find replacements just about anywhere and there will be a host of repair shops that will take your old ones off and put the new ones on. The only hassle you will have is picking the replacement brand or type.
You would have to consider your start angle as one factor as well as price, which we will get to in the next section. We did read somewhere that if you have a multi-axle system the front axle had to be replaced by the same brand and model.
We have not been able to confirm that statement yet but thought it best to throw it out there just in case it is true. That way you won’t be surprised if it is true. There are a lot of parts stores that will sell you a torsion or other type of axle.
Finding a replacement will be the least of your worries. Make sure to budget for a replacement as you will see in the next section they may not be budget-friendly.
Torsion Axle Replacement Cost
The first place we checked was Dexter Axle. While they do have a shop now link and cart on their website, it seems that they will not sell directly to the public.
They have quite a few products for sale. But their website is set up to where they will send you to a local distributor that is close to your location for final purchase. They do not seem to sell torsion or other axles directly.
We checked with another retailer about buying a Dexter axle and they said to contact them for the price. That is understandable as these axles are made to handle different weight classes and their costs may reflect those differences.
The Trailer Parts Superstore had torsion axles starting at $274 and going up from there. Your cost would depend on brand as well as weight class. The 1500 pound class was selling in the high $200s and mid $300 ranges.
The 2000-pound class was in the mid $400 range and the 3000-pound class hit the mid to high $600. But these options were not Dexter's axles. The OEM parts store is selling Dexter torsion axles and they are starting at the high $500 area and heading well above $1000.
Keep in mind these prices do not seem to include labor costs. That is something that your individual mechanic will tell you. We are not sure if shipping costs are included in the prices we quoted.
We checked one OEM axle for shipping and their cart said about $11 so that is okay.
Some Final Words
When your torsion axle goes bad, you can’t repair it. You need to find a replacement and that is not going to be cheap. The only parts you will be able to repair will be the spindle and possibly the arm.
Everything else has to be replaced by installing a new torsion axle. But the good news is that these axles can last a very long time and you may never have to replace one.
