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Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 11:05 am
by Neo
Hi all,

Can anyone tell me what's inside the Torsion Bar Suspension units fitted to the Macgregor Aluminum Trailers?
Are the bars plain steel and a do they rust or break over time? ..... Or anything else that goes wrong with these units?

Thanks gents.
Neo

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 12:46 pm
by Russ
I've always thought they were rubber inside. But I could be wrong.


Image

--Russ

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 12:57 pm
by Neo
Thanks Russ that makes sense.

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 2:09 pm
by Russ
It still makes me wonder. Can that center square rod rust? Maybe the whole thing is full of grease or something to keep out corrosion.

Good question. Can it rust? As far as I can tell, nobody on this forum has had a problem.

I'd love to hear opinions from the smart guys.

--Russ

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 2:41 pm
by Jimmyt
The caps over the ends of the axle beam are rusting on mine. They may serve to hold the axle and torsion rubber in the axle beam. Don’t know about the condition of the beam itself, but I’m sure it will eventually rust out - and probably like the tongue beam - from the inside out. :|

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:22 pm
by vizwhiz
Speaking of this - if i wanted to change my old axle and springs on my original steel S trailer to these, would it work?
:) :idea:

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:11 pm
by Jimmyt
It's a bit of work but can be done.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gDv4o83T4cg

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:13 pm
by Neo
A good idea turning the frame upside down but I'd personally rather have things welded and fabricate custom fit brackets than use all those nuts and bolts and off the shelf brackets like that.

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 9:17 am
by Tomfoolery
vizwhiz wrote:Speaking of this - if i wanted to change my old axle and springs on my original steel S trailer to these, would it work?
:) :idea:
I don't see why not. Should give a much softer ride, including when the trailer is empty, as they have a progressive spring rate - soft when lightly loaded, stiffening as more load is added. Unlike 'normal' leaf springs, which have a fixed rate. Normal meaning all the leaves are always in contact.

I would just be careful that the axle cross bar doesn't foul with the hull. The M trailer has a straight cross bar and I believe the hull actually rests on it, but they're available with drop centers, too. Some of them at least can also be indexed for ride height, making it easy to adjust to the existing fenders or tire/hull clearance.

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 12:15 pm
by vizwhiz
Thanks Tomfoolery... the axle tube is rusted badly and i was going to replace it eventually anyway. So I’m figuring out my options... the spindles and bearings seem to be fine, it’s mostly just rust consuming my trailer...

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 12:55 pm
by Tomfoolery
vizwhiz wrote:Thanks Tomfoolery... the axle tube is rusted badly and i was going to replace it eventually anyway. So I’m figuring out my options... the spindles and bearings seem to be fine, it’s mostly just rust consuming my trailer...
If the trailer is rusting away and you'd rather not put too much money into it, a replacement axle for your existing leaf springs is almost certainly cheaper. Just a tube with spindles and brake flanges. Just have to match the spring center distance, top/bottom spring location, wheel gauge, and axle drop. And of course, load rating and bearing type. Just an axle alone is surprisingly cheap.

Re: Torsion Bar Suspension

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 2:13 pm
by Neo
Yes Axles are cheap especially if you shop around and buy the tube/bar from a low cost metal supplier. I was shocked how cheap 45mm solid square section bar was. They can cut it to length and you can have new Axle Stubs welded on as a drop Axle. I can give you an axle diagram if you like?