Rusted axle can it be saved?

[lfgfish]

Hi guys, this is my first boat and I noticed the paint on my axle was bubbling so I brushed it off and it's rusted a bit (see pics). Do you think it can be saved with some rust converter and repaint or should I have it replaced? There's paint bubbles and rust along the shaft but the worst seems to be at the mounts.

[ellicat]

Looks gone to me. I wouldn't want to be carrying my pride and joy on it.

Relatively cheap to replace. Just look up a trailer retailer.

[lfgfish]

Thank you @ellicat, it does worry me a bit towing so will get it replaced.

[mangajack]

When you replace the axle and springs it is a good idea to wrap the springs and axle in denso tape to limit the amount of water can reach the steel or galvanizing.

Raw steel items wrapped in denso tape will last for many decades without any rust forming.

The next best alternative is to coat it all in heavy Ensis Fluid / bitumen for a similarly long life. Do not use the light form, the heavy form is sort of like treacle in consistency....it self heals from stone chips.

Ensis fluid is no longer available in Australia, the nearest product to it is Septone Rust Shield.   Unknown how penetrating it is compared to Ensis Fluid (ensis fluid sprayed on one side of 1mm sheet steel would penetrate through to the other side of the steel over a period of years) but it seems to be a very similar product.

http://www.septone.com.au/product/l/rust-shield-4l

[lfgfish]

Great info @mangajack  I will check with the repairer whether they can do this, otherwise will diy the rust shield when I get the trailer back.

[MattInOz]

Not sure where you are or if this will suit your trailer, but I found this axle setup on gumtree that might work for you.

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/runaway-bay/boat-accessories-parts/trail-rite-boat-trailer-axle-assembly/1325737385

[Huxstang]

Not sure if you are in Brisbane but Seatrail or Couplertec both bayside are good for trailer suspension parts.

This is Seatrails parts online.

https://www.trailersparesonline.com.au

Couplertec can be cheaper and make a lot of stuff in house (at Wynnum)