trike axle broken

[SWAMPIG]

need some new axle tubes for reliant as this has happened

[terry t]

Have you a better photo of the axle so we can see what caused this. looks liks axle solid fit and the dif flexed
if you are after some tubes contact Haggis look in the members folder he use to make these

[Olds]

Think Haggis has retired.
Looks like a swing arm conversion with mounts close to the diff. Would suggest getting thick wall tubes made and moving the mounts out as far as possible. Try a local small engineering firm.

[morrag]

Totally agree with the previous comments, but would add, simple standard wall steam pipe is more than adequate, unless you want the glitter of S/S. Either machine or have machined the ends to suit a light, Light that is!, shrink fit at diff. casing ends, and at the outers, which can be stitch welded, which again is adequate. This should not be too expensive and will last another lifetime!! Be carefull not to have too tight a shrink fit on the diff. case to new axle tube, as the alloy case is easily cracked, and it is unecessary anyway, use large POP rivits to final fit, Morrag

[ROD]

agree with all above.next time spread the load out across the tube.

[SWAMPIG]

thanks guys ! I didnt build the thing a mate wants me to repair it. there mounts near to the diff on both side's (both side's have broken!)the two outer mounts are clamps the two mid mounts are bolted to a bracket welded to the tubes and there is the brackets that you can see near the diff which are all welded up. when I saw it I was concerned that the welding had been done on the tubes as are they not cast? obviously there has to be some welding for brackets to stop the axle from spinning. I am a mechanic not an engineer and was thinking of renewing the axle but these seem to have got pricey!
 

[ROD]

the tubes are very thin,and even thinner after years of rust on the surface! I was also told it wasnt a good idea to weld anything to the tubes as this could cause misalignment through heat distortion,but I think plenty have been welded and are ok.

[SWAMPIG]

Think Haggis has retired.
Looks like a swing arm conversion with mounts close to the diff. Would suggest getting thick wall tubes made and moving the mounts out as far as possible. Try a local small engineering firm.

Please could you give me sizes i might need 

[minimutly]

This is what I bought, from metal mania:-
Steel ERW tube 50.8mm(2")O/D x 3.2mm x 1000mm.
This is thicker than the std axle tube, and has sufficient material to allow it to be machined to fit in the diff.
I wouldn't go any thinner, and while your at this job I would advise an additional brace under! or over the axle to take the bending loads. ( some 25mm tube should be sufficient).
Good luck,
Huw
Ps, some pics would be good if you want some advice, plenty of experience around here.

[hunter]

Classic example of metal fatigue from welding.
A good lesson for anyone thinking of welding tubes and large brackets to these axle tubes,
Don't

[Manky Monkey]

Spanners had a Reliant Kitten axle in the For Sale section. Don't know if he's actually sold it yet.

[ROD]

Those axles are fetching strong money nowadays!

[hunter]

Spanners axle was cheap.