Weld the spring seats or not?

MillWeld · Apr 11, 2013

I have a portable sawmill onto which I added brakes about a year ago. After returning home from a saw job recently I noticed my brake controller was flashing a code indicating shorted brakes. Inspecting the brakes, I saw that the electrical brake wire was wrapped around the axle (see pic).

I was extremely puzzled for a few seconds until I saw that the spring seats had never been welded to the axle!!

I jacked the axle up, loosened the U-bolts and (with a pipe wrench) rotated the axle so that the brakes magnets were pointed down and welded the seats. Hence, my question. Is it common for a manufacturer NOT to weld the seats if brakes are not intended to be installed? It is a 3500 lb single axle. I contacted the manufacturer and they immediately responded thanking me for the alert.

Diamondpilot · Apr 11, 2013

Never seen that one. Yes, usually they are welded.

You must torque your U Bolts to 75# once off the jacks. You can not torque on jacks due to the springs being arched. Once weight is on it the springs being dearched changing the torque value.

Chris

MillWeld · Apr 11, 2013

Wow, DP, you hit the pin on the head! I won't say the U-bolts were finger-tight but I could get 6 to 8 pulls on the bolts before I met torque specs. Thanks for your expertise.

Bob

Diamondpilot · Apr 11, 2013

MillWeld said:
Wow, DP, you hit the pin on the head! I won't say the U-bolts were finger-tight but I could get 6 to 8 pulls on the bolts before I met torque specs. Thanks for your expertise.

Bob

Yea, been there done that. See it quite often.

Chris

crashz · Apr 11, 2013

Besides rotation, that axle also sees side forces along its axis, that without welded seats, could slide sideways, causing even more issues. Big mistake there by the trailer company.

Mace Canute · Apr 12, 2013

Diamondpilot said:
Never seen that one. Yes, usually they are welded.

You must torque your U Bolts to 75# once off the jacks. You can not torque on jacks due to the springs being arched. Once weight is on it the springs being dearched changing the torque value.

Chris

You also cannot get the proper torque value/corresponding bolt clamping load on those U-bolts in their present condition.