Bill - when Bud showed me his restoration pics, he mentioned that he'd
replaced the 'truck' (axle, suspension, etc.) with something that used what
appeared to me to be an 'offset' suspension - would that be the 'Henschen
Dura Torque'? I'm looking to lower my trailer a couple of inches - would the
Dura Torque permit this?
Tuna
'49 Clipper
WBCCI #8862
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2000 10:55 AM
Subject: RE: [VAC] Shocks? Bambi's and Henschen Axles
> Sherry, and Jim Stewart indicate their Bambi's sit a little high in the
> front. Yet the ball height is lower than the 16 1/2 inch as specified
> by the factory. Since many of our Bambi's will celebrate their 40th
> Birthday in the next few months, it leads me to the following
> conclusion.
> It is not necessarily the shocks. In 1961, the Henschen Dura Torque
> axle was introduced as standard equipment on all Airstreams. The
> Henschen factory, says the rubber in the Dura torque, torsion type axle
> settles and loses its elasticity after about 25 years. Since most of us
> Bambi's are pushing 40, except Sherry who is just a young "37". I would
> say the rubber axles are probably in need of a rebuild. This is
> possibly true of many of the 1960's models, I know my 61 has settled,
> and bounces badly when I hit bad bumps at some bridges.
> Solution,..........have your axle rebuilt at the Henschen factory, about
> one mile from the Airstream factory in Jackson Center , Ohio. I think
> you must have your axle removed and shipped for rebuild. For details,
> call the Henschen factory and talk to Jim Kitzmiller, at
> (937)-596-6125-X102. The rebuilt axle should raise your coach a few
> inches and change the geometry at the hitch. It will also change the
> travel distance at the shocks and let them perform better. I have not
> yet had my axle rebuilt, but it is a high priority project, next on the
> list.
>
> Bill Scott
> 61 Bambi, VAC & WBCCI #3221
> 1VP & Membership Chairman , WDCU
> http://www.servintfree.net/wbcci-dc/
>
>
