Axel Weld Broke

[Orrin]

New owner of a 2002 36 ft. Ambassador motor home. While crawling underneath with creeper and flashlight I notice a broken weld on the right side of the axel.
It attaches part of of the suspension to the axel. This has been broken for quite some time and shows no shiny metal that is has been moving. I just drove it back to Madison, WI from Clermont, FL. Has any one else had this happen and what did you have done about it?

Thanks for your input.

Orrin

 

[Buly]

You should have taken a photo while there. It may help?

 

[Orrin]

You should have taken a photo while there. It may help?

It's still light out so I will get a picture and post it.
Orrin

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I have had something similar happen on a travel trailer years ago and had a qualified welder repair the broken weld. I wouldn’t be comfortable driving the coach very far with a broken weld in a suspension component.

TJ

 

[Orrin]

Here are the pictures. These are located on the top of the rear axel on the right side near the banjo.

 

[Orrin]

Please ignore the previous post.

 

[Orrin]

I am not concerned about the axel coming loose as it is attached to the swing arm of the air suspension. It has been this way for a long time. I still want to have it right.

While we are at it, the cab or dash board is does not work as well as the damper door to switch from defrost, to heat, and cool. What kind of dealer do you go to to get that working?

Thanks

Orrin

 

[Old Farmer Guy]

Should be an easy job for any competent welder....doesnt have to be an rv shop

 

[Buly]

Also, see if they can weld some reinforcement gussets. The area looks corroded?

 

[Orrin]

I am sort of surprised that no one else has had or reported this problem. Maybe it should be in the general section? I know of a shop that is qualified to do the welding, the axel will have to dropped down to properly weld it.

Orrin

 

[Orrin]

I got the axel problem solved. The place I took it to for maintenance did the axel repair also. They changed all of the fluids, all filters, checked out the brake calipers, and did a complete chassis check. All for $1,700. J&M in Madison, WI did the work.

Next on the the agenda is to fix the chassis a/c, new matress and install a new back up camera the I purchased from Tadi Brothers. It's coming along.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Just reviewed the photos and the problem is evident; zero penetration on the welds. It was either a bad day for the welder, or an incompetent welder. Any time you don’t get penetration on both surfaces being joined, the weld won’t hold.

Glad you got the problem fixed; hopefully by a qualified welder having a good day.

TJ