Trucks & Trailers - Broken hub - 5-star Dual Torsion Axle Trailer??

Hello Gents,

While hauling my dad's 19 Mako home from the Keys today, the front left axle hub (with disk brakes) actually broke....I am not sure why. The trailer is a 2005 5-Star Dual Torsion Axle trailer rated for 4500 pounds and our rig is about 3000-3200 pounds. I did notice earlier today that wheel was "throwing" grease..I regreased the wheels yesterday morning..that was the only wheel throwing grease..I am wondering if the spindle was slightly bentg from 1 too many sharp turns...there is something that I noticed about the torsion axles when turning or backing up the trailer..the wheels torque in and out...a few times I was afraid that I was going to break one off or bend the axle spindle..can anyone shed some light on what may have happended..I am going to have to fix the problem and try to prevent it from happening again...here are some pics...I know they make stainless steel assemblies as well...the one that broke was cast...

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af20/chrisgmiller/005-2.jpg

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af20/chrisgmiller/008-3.jpg

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af20/chrisgmiller/007-3.jpg

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af20/chrisgmiller/006-2.jpg

I have a 18k load master, and have noticed the closest wheels do bow a lot when making sharp turns.

I machined new spindles out of heat treated 17-4 stainless (much stronger than the low carbon steel spindles the trailer came with, and corrosion resistant also!). Now you have me wanting to make new hubs out of 17-4. I don't trust anybody's junk these days.

Sorry to hear of your problems.

Looks like it hit something?

Looks pretty dry--have you kept bearing greased?

From dragging disc brake or outer bearing failure.
One or the other melted the seal(s) and then the grease cooked out.
A roller bearing got out and wedged between the castle nut and hub casting and busted it outward as pictured.
Or maybe a piece of the spindle washer.

Interesting Pic, Hub looks bone dry. Also the tab that is supposed to hold the castle nut inplace is not set. It's still in the up position. With a super lube type spindel like that, there is no pressure on the grease seal, and you should have a lot of grease on the front end. I suspect it came loose, got hot, and flew apart.

any time the hub starts throwing grease, you know something is up - usually a seal has given way. You can add grease, but it only prolongs the time to failure.

Gents,

I took some better pics on Sunday morning. The trailer goes to the local trailer guy every fall before the boat gets hauled to florida for the winter. I added additional grease to the bearings on Friday morning after the first 240 miles of the trip.....some water weeped out of this hub while I was pumping in grease...could explain what happened....

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af20/chrisgmiller/003-2.jpg

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af20/chrisgmiller/004-3.jpg

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af20/chrisgmiller/005-3.jpg

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af20/chrisgmiller/001-3.jpg

OK, I see the greese. It's got so much metal in it it's grey. I think your trailer guy left the tab washer up and it got loose.

need new hub and bearing and you will be back rolling again