Outside Frame
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Width

Multi Adjustable Splined
OutsideTorsion
Frame Axle
Width

Frame Size: Axle brackets can be adjusted to fit a certain frame width
range for each length axle “G”.

Track Width: Is a measurement from the center of the tires. This length
can vary with the different types of wheels that offer varying offsets.
Track is NOT the same as the hub face.

Brake
Flange
Width
Bracket Style: There are two
types
of brackets,
Utility style “I” and
Hub Face
Marine style “K”.

Brake Flange Width: Is measured from the outer surface of the flange
to the same location on the opposite side of the axle.

Brake Flange Width
Torsion Arm Angle: “H” The torsion
arms can be adjusted from 45
Hub Face

degrees down to 25 degrees up.

Each axle length has its own range of positions for mounting the axle
brackets. Do NOT exceed the range shown (Figure 3). Exceeding the
overhang length will create camber and tire wear issues.

With these three adjustments, you can replace almost all custom
torsion axles used today in the hub faces offered.
Figure 1: Straight Axle

NEW AXLE PLACEMENT/INSTALLATION OF WELD-ON FRAME MOUNT
If you are using new frame brackets or welding the frame brackets to
your trailer frame: VERY IMPORTANT: Brackets must be “square” to
the frame. The frame brackets must be welded/attached at the
same distance from the rear or front of the trailer. Failure to do so
will result in a trailer that will travel at an angle when towed.

Figure 2: “V” Bend Axle

1.

Hub Face Width: Is measured from the face of the hub when properly
assembled onto the axle spindle. Hub Face is NOT measured from the
center of the tire. Hub face is NOT the overall length of the bare axle.

Weld-On Frame Mounts (#86884) must be installed directly
across from each other to insure proper axle alignment. Before
mounting the units, measure back from the coupler and mark the
frame to make sure that the two distance measurements (A and
B) are within 1/8 inch of each other. Mark the trailer frame for the
location of the front edge of the frame mount.
Figure 4

Utility Trailer Frame
A

Mark Frame
for Axle

Coupler/Hitch

Center Line

Front of
Trailer

B

Figure 3:

Outside Frame
Width

Marine Trailer Frame
A

Mark Frame
Axle

Coupler/Hitch

Center Line

Front of
Trailer

B

Brake Flange Width
Hub Face

“A” dimension must equal “B” dimension

Straight Axle

V-Bend Axle

Powder Coat Part # Galvanized Part #

Powder Coat Part # Galvanized Part #

Hub Face Length

Outside Frame
Width Range

Brake Flange
Length

86870

86701

N/A

N/A

83”

59-67”

76.66”

86871

86702

86877

86708

85”

61-69”

78.66”

86872

86703

86878

86709

87”

63-71”

80.66”

86873

86704

86879

86710

89”

65-73”

82.66”

86874

86705

86880

86711

91”

67-75”

84.66”

86875

86706

86881

86712

93”

69-77”

86.66”

86876

86707

86882

86713

95”

71-79”

88.66”

©2019 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

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2.

3.

Clamp the weld on bracket in place. The center line of the axle
will line up with the center line determined by the coupler to axle
measurement. Make sure the short end of the bracket is in the
forward direction (Figure 5).

4.

Using a floor jack and one other person, lift the axle into mounting
position.
Utility Style Mounting Brackets:
A. Bolt the axle to the frame using existing frame brackets.

Weld a 1/4” fillet weld on all sides of the mounting bracket, repeat
for other side.

B. If frame mounting brackets are not present, but needed,
welding of #86884 to frame will be required prior to mounting
(see page 7). Using hardware supplied with #86884, bolt
utility style mounting bracket to frame mount. Short end of the
bracket should face the front of the trailer.
U-bolts
Marine Style Mounting
Bracket:

“Marked” Center Line

Figure 5

Trailer Frame
Rear

Front

A. Tube or Channel Trailer Frame - Mount using two U-bolts for
Trailer Frame
each bracket (Figure 9). U-bolts must be a minimum of 1/2”
diameter.

AXLE BRACKET ASSEMBLY
Figure 6

Nylon Lock Nut Washer

B. I-Beam Trailer Frame – Mount using four 1/2” bolts through
holes drilled in bottom web of I-beam (Figure 8).

Bushing

For

e

Axl

wa
rd

Figure 7

Trailer Frame

Bushing
Washer

Rear

Front

Bolt

Mounting
Bolts

Figure 8

Place the axle underneath the trailer, as close as possible to the
mounting location. Preform the following assembly on the floor.
4. Position bracket on axle tube so that the short end of the
bracket is facing forward. The rear (back) side of the axle has the
identification decals
5.

6.
7.

Figure 9

Trailer Frame

Rear

Front

Tra
ile
rF
xle5.
A
r
Insert the bolt with the bushing into housing so that theabolt goes
under the axle and the threaded part is to the rear of the m
axle.
e
Using the hardware supplied (Figure 6), place a flat washer over
one of the bolts. Next place one of the bushings on the bolt with
the wider end facing the head of the bolt.

U-bolts

Center the Adjustable Torsion Axle
to Frame
the trailer frame. Measure
Trailer
the distance between the25˚
outside of the bracket to the end of the
splined arm (Figure 8 andup
9). Distance must be equal on each
side. DO NOT USE THE AXLE TUBE AS A MEASURING POINT.
Torsion
0˚
Tighten the mounting bolts to the frame first. 150 ft Arm
lbs.

Insert one of the bushings onto the bolt with the narrow end facing
Front
the axle tube.
6.
“Gap”
Trailer Frame
8. Place a flat washer on the bolt along with a nylon lock nut. Snug
7. Re-check measurements on centering the axle on the frame.
the nut on to the bolt but DO NOT TIGHTEN AT THIS TIME.
Rear
Front
8. Tighten the axle mounting
45˚brackets to 100 ft lbs.
9. Repeat for the second bolt.
Mounting
TORSION ARM ASSEMBLY down Bolts
10. Repeat for the opposite side bracket.
1. It is important to match as close as possible the same arm angle
INSTALLATION OF ADJUSTABLE TORSION AXLE
as the original axle.
The variation possible is 45 degrees down to
Trailer Frame
25 degrees up. The end of the splined arm has index marks in a
circularFront
pattern. Use these to lineRear
up with the gap in the torsion
!
arm to assure that you have both sides set at the same arm angle.
These axles are very heavy. It is recommended to use floor jack
Arm angle can only be used in a trailing position, going towards
to lift and position the axle to the frame. The following assembly
the rear of the trailer.
requires at least two people.
Torsion arm in the 25 degree up angle

CAUTION

Torsion arm in the 45
degree down angle

If you are installing on a new trailer, skip to step 4.
1.

Remove wheels and brake lines, if present, from the old torsion axle.

2.

Remove torsion axle from the trailer.

3.

Position the axle mounting brackets to match the existing axle
brackets as closely as possible.

©2019 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

25˚
up
Front

0˚

Torsion
Arm
“Gap”

45˚
down

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2.

Insert the torsion arm bolt and nylon lock nut, Bolt head should be
in the upper or top of the arm position. Torque to 150 ft lbs.
Torsion arm in the 0 degree angle

Front

Back
SUPER LUBE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Remove wheel hubs from the packaging. Hubs are already preassembled and pre-greased.
2.

Slide hub onto spindle, followed by washer and spindle nut.

3.

Tighten the spindle nut to approximately 40 ft. lbs. Turn wheel in
both directions to be sure wheel turns freely.

4.

Turn back spindle nut 1/6 to 1/4 turn to the nearest locking hole.
Hub should turn smoothly with no end play or wobble.

5.

Line up cotter key with nearest locking hole and spread key.

6.

Install the Super Lube dust cap and mount wheel.

The Adjustable Torsion Axle is equipped with Super Lube Spindles. These
spindles allow for easy adding or replacement of grease in the wheel
hub. The hubs are pre-greased with Lucas® Red “N” Tacky grease and
assembled at the factory.
SUPER LUBE “SPINDLE” LUBRICATION MAINTENANCE OR GREASE
REPLACEMENT
1. Remove the rubber plug from the grease (hub) cap.
2.

Use a standard grease gun onto the grease fitting located at the
end of the spindle, making sure the grease gun nozzle is engaged
on the fitting tightly.

3.

Pump grease into the fitting, while slowly turning the wheel. Grease
will flow out of the hub around the spindle.

4.

When the grease appears to be the new clean grease, remove the
grease gun and wipe off any excess grease.

5.

Replace the rubber plug in the cap.

Rubber
Plug
New
Grease In

Old
Grease
Out

In
Out

©2019 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com

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