New Customer?
If you would like to apply for a trade account with Treadway, please download and complete the trade account application form here.
 A trailer axle can last for years, but even the strongest need attention over time. Spotting early signs of wear helps prevent issues and keeps your trailer performing at its best. Here are five key indicators it may be time for a replacement. 1. Excessive wobble or misalignmentIf your trailer starts to pull to one side, or you can feel the axle shifting under load, there’s likely internal wear in bearings, spindle, or mounts. What to check: - Jack up the trailer and test for side-to-side play at the wheel. If the movement is beyond acceptable tolerances (as per bearing or axle spec), replacement is the safer route. 2. Fatigue or metal deformationOver time, stresses from overloads, rough terrain or impact can cause fatigue in the axle beam, welds or mounting flanges. What to check: - Hairline cracks or bending along the axle beam. - Inspect welds and brackets for fatigue or separation. - Distortion around mounting points. Any structural damage requires replacement to keep your trailer safe and roadworthy. 3. Bearing or hub failure linked to axle problemsSometimes symptoms appear in the hubs or bearings, but the root cause lies in the axle. Overheating bearings, repeated bearing replacements, or hub flanges that are damaged or warped often indicate the axle ends or spindle alignment are compromised. What to check: - Bearings that overheat soon after installation. - Looseness between hub and spindle despite new parts. - Flange faces showing wear or cupping when the hub is removed. If you see this pattern repeatedly, the axle itself is likely the issue. Replacing it can correct underlying geometry problems. 4. Sagging or poor weight distributionA trailer that doesn’t sit level, even when loaded properly, can point to a weakened axle. What to check: - Confirm your load is distributed correctly. - Park the trailer on level ground and measure clearance side to side. - Look for visible bowing or uneven stance. If sagging persists despite correct loading, the axle beam may be fatigued and should be replaced. 5. Strange noises or handling issuesIf you notice unusual noises such as grinding or knocking, the axle and its related components may be worn beyond repair. What to check: - Jack up the trailer and spin the wheel to listen or feel for grinding or roughness. - Inspect surrounding suspension parts to confirm if the axle is the cause. When noise and instability can’t be traced to suspension or tyres, the axle is often the underlying problem. What to Do NextFor many owners, replacing the axle when these signs show up ensures long-term reliability and avoids repeated costs from ongoing tyre or suspension problems. At Treadway, we believe the best defence is a correctly designed replacement. Our Axle Builder lets you order custom-fit axles with confidence: matching geometry, load capacity, and finish to your trailer’s needs. Try it here: http://axles.treadway.co.nz |