Help Flexride torsion springs

[tomephil]

Help,

I am at an end point with making a axle for a pull behind trailer.

I am using flexride torsion axles.

Has anyone used these and have they had any problems with these.

I have a hi speed shimmy and can't seem to correct this.

 

Thanks

[Carbon_One]

I'd say have the tires balanced and go from there. Can't see any reason the axle would be causing a shimmy, unless the wheels alignment is off.

Larry

[Condor]

Help,

I am at an end point with making a axle for a pull behind trailer.

I am using flexride torsion axles.

Has anyone used these and have they had any problems with these.

I have a hi speed shimmy and can't seem to correct this.

 

Thanks

 

Need some clarification Tom. Does the trailer shimmy or the bike?? Flexrides are a pretty good TA, but I'd think it might be wheel alignment if it's the trailer. Also are you pulling the trailer empty?? Lite weight or no tongue weight might cause some shakin'.....

[tomephil]

Need some clarification Tom. Does the trailer shimmy or the bike?? Flexrides are a pretty good TA, but I'd think it might be wheel alignment if it's the trailer. Also are you pulling the trailer empty?? Lite weight or no tongue weight might cause some shakin'.....

 

Thanks Condor,

Shimmy in the bike, has to be coming from the trailer.

Yes, I have a 1/8 inch toe in.

I had to make do as I used an aprox. 3x5 retangualr steel tube.

I mounted the torsion 1/2 axle inside the tube, effectively making a whole axle.

I than turned the axle over to create a low profile torsion axle, swing arms going up instead of down

There are 6 holes per 1/2 axle.

By the time I drilled the holes, reversed the torsion units to fit inside the tube I was going to have to either over drill the holes quite a bit or settle for a slight toe in or toe out.

I have about a 1/8 inch toe in as I am told this is OK and normally preferred.

I double checked the hitch point to wheel and I am aprox. 1/8 on the out at aprox. 53 inches from wheel to hitch point and other wheel to hitch point.

Torsion springs rated at 550 lb., trailer frame aprox. 150 lb. empty

Have about 100 to 200 lb weight in gear.

Have of hitch weight, cooler will be filled with carbonated beverages.]

Tires rated for 90 PSI at 1000 lb.

Loaded trailer with aprox. 100 lb, put 40 PSI tire pressure, took it for a ride with my wife in the van looking on.

Still a bit of a shimmy (wiggle) (handle bars ) (instrument cluster)( mostly with such a smooth riding bike I don't notice any shake in the instrument cluster. I have something in the instrument cluster that normally stops vibration.

I have a very short wheel base, aprox, 23 inches. This will be a contributing factor.

I had someone weld front and back supports on the homemade axle yesterday, thought that would take care of it.

Hard to find a good road in Manitoba, but it acted better last test(loaded trailer properly). My wife couldn't see anything wrong from the van.

I am thinking I am spliting hairs.

The engineer at Flexride said I needed to be 1/2 degree + or - from perpendicular.

As this a trailer, I found that hard to believe.

I am thinking it's as good as I am going to get it.

Any ideas though, I would appreciate.

take care,

Tom

[tomephil]

I'd say have the tires balanced and go from there. Can't see any reason the axle would be causing a shimmy, unless the wheels alignment is off.

Larry

 

Thanks Carbon One,

Yes, as I explained to Condor, a bit of a toe in.

I think, I may be spliting hairs.

Just hate to have any vibration on these smooth machines.

Oh well,

Thanks again,

Tom

[Condor]

How's the balance on the trailer tires ??

[tomephil]

Haven't balanced them yet.

Had one straightened out a few days ago.

I guess that's the last thing to try.

Thanks,

 

How's the balance on the trailer tires ??

[Tom]

I have the torflex axle on my trailer and I really have to watch it as I never know it is back there. Tom

[Carbon_One]

My trailer has the TorFlex axle as well. Smooth as silk and don't know it's back there half the time. Never balanced the tires either but did add a half bottle of Ride-On tire sealant to each tire. Auto formula. Which is supposed to self balance the tires.

Hope you find the cause of that shimmy & fixed thou.

Larry

[tomephil]

My trailer has the TorFlex axle as well. Smooth as silk and don't know it's back there half the time. Never balanced the tires either but did add a half bottle of Ride-On tire sealant to each tire. Auto formula. Which is supposed to self balance the tires.

Hope you find the cause of that shimmy & fixed thou.

Larry

Thanks,

Tom

[Rocket]

Haven't balanced them yet.

Had one straightened out a few days ago.

I guess that's the last thing to try.

Thanks,

 

Maybe, this is the cause of your problem.

[tomephil]

problem with torsion axle solved for now.

Nothing I could do.

Am borrowing a buddy's trailer as we were supposed to be leaving for Kitchener yesterday morning.

Now leaving this morning.

Sarge, if we get delayed somehow, maybe see youse guys on the road.

Thanks again for the helpfull information.

not a fan of flexride

tomephil