Dexter 9000lb Axle Question - Diesel Forum

bigredflatbed · 11-26-2006, 06:30 PM

I have a dexter 9000 axle and one spindle is damaged. The only real damage looks to be where the oil seal rides against the spindle. Could I build this back up with a welder and carefully grind and polish the surface? What are my other options?

SmokeyWren · 11-26-2006, 06:46 PM

I would just replace the spindle. Probably less than $20.
http://www.textrail.com/index.cfm?fu...;categoryID=64

bigredflatbed · 11-26-2006, 06:53 PM

They don't offer a spindle large enough.

RatherBNtheWoods · 11-26-2006, 07:11 PM

I have built up bad spindles with a mig, sorta like repairing a crankshaft, but you need to turn it in a lath afterwards. Don't think you could get it round with a grinder.

bigredflatbed · 11-26-2006, 07:18 PM

That is a good point I may try that.

CaptRon · 11-27-2006, 09:57 AM

Don't know if there is one available for this size but the seal surface can be replaced with a ring that slips over the damaged area. Then a seal with a larger ID is used. I'm trying to remember where I've seen this and I think that it was for a tractor trailer drive axle. Cheap too!

On edit: You might contact Dexter, they may have the repair ring available.

Good Luck,
Capt Ron

LMJD · 11-27-2006, 10:05 AM

Measure the O.D. accurately and get a Speedi-Sleeve, they are made for just your problem, it's a real common repair and they come in most any diameter. Before you install it, take note exactly where the seal lip rides on the spindle, then center the sleeve right over that area. Also smear a little non-hardening Aviation Permatex (the brown stuff, but now they have a new name for it, parts man will know) on the spindle surface where the Speedi-Sleeve will go.
[ QUOTE ]
Then a seal with a larger ID is used.

[/ QUOTE ] No, you still use the standard dia. seal. Since you won't have access to a driver, heat the sleeve in boiling water to expand it, then with gloves, be quick and skillful and you should have no problem. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

Partsman · 11-27-2006, 03:09 PM

Does it use grease or gear oil? I don't think they reccomend speedy sleaves for oil bath seals.

LMJD · 11-27-2006, 03:48 PM

They work just fine, that's why you use Permatex, same applies to a Speedi-Sleeve for a front crankshaft seal, rear main seal surfaces, etc.

fieldtrialer · 11-27-2006, 10:31 PM

Large truck dealer may be able to put you in contact with a service called Axel Surgeon. They will come to your garage and repair spindle while it is still on your trailer.

SmokeyWren · 11-28-2006, 10:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
They don't offer a spindle large enough.

[/ QUOTE ]

Futher research indicates that Dexter 9k axles don't have "spindles". They do have straight axles, and drop axles, and they also have stub axles that some call spindles. But Dexter wants only the pros to mess with stub axles, so you probably won't find out much about them.

SouthWestWheel is a Dexter axle distributor, so they should have the parts you need to replace one end of a stub axle. So if you have stub axles, then contact the trailer parts folks at www.southwestwheel.com and talk to them. The Dexter website shows the SouthWestWheel San Antonio and Corpus Christi stores both are Dexter axle distributors, so I suspect the Dallas HQ is too.

But if you can get the parts to DIY, then understand that alignment is critical and very hard to do with stub axles. That's probably why Dexter doesn't say much about repair parts for their stub axles.

If you have straight axles or drop axles instead of stub axles, and you don't want to patch the old axle, then you'll need to replace the whole axle. But that's fairly easy to do on your driveway, with no real problems of alignment. Just be sure you don't get the new axle installed upside down, which is easy to do with a "straight" axle. Don't ask how I know. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Straight axles aren't straight - they have a slight curve in them. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]