New Ice House, Axles Stuck

[dunnbeetle]

Hi guys,

Just bought a 2014 Gulf Stream Ice Haven 8X16 fish house and got it home. First thing I did was attempt to lower it to the ground since I wanted to make sure everything was in working order before taking it out on the ice. After raising the jacks and taking the pins out on each side, I began lowering the house down. The buttons to lower these houses are right inside the door, so I was able to watch the axle drop with no issues.

Went around to check out the other side and the axle had not dropped at all. I went back and raised the other side back up and now the axle is also stuck, but in the up position:

This house is basically brand new, but was used a few times last year as a rental. My guess is that it was never greased and they are just stuck.

I was able to get grease to go in the zerk on the side the wheel actually moved, but still can't get the wheel to go down.

Here is a good example of how the Ice haven jacks work:

(this is from firebrand, but basically the same setup)

I'm sure I will have to take the axle/spindle apart, but have heard it can be hard and there is a possibility of bending the axle.

I cannot take at to a shop anywhere as the wheel will not go back down in place, so right now its sitting on the jacks in my yard.

Please let me know any tips/tricks/suggestions you guys might have on repairing this.

Thanks in advance.

[Dozer]

I would call who ever you bought it from and see what they have to say. Pretty crappy customer service if they dont help you out!

[Gus]

Rotten deal.... I would take it back asap... but by the looks of it you need to get the wheels back down first.

If pushing them down doesn't work, then you need to take it apart.

I have an ice cabin, which looks like the same frame. Pull the one bolt going through the collar on the end of the stub, and then the collar, and the wheel should come off the axle shaft. Being stuck, probably not easy.

I was able to at least work my tire up and down, and I had a buddy help me pull as we both worked the whole wheel up and down and eventually worked it off the shaft. Mine looked like it had never been greased prior to assembly.

Be carefull of the brake wiring when you do get to the end and it's about to come off the shaft. Not much spare room for the brake wiring.

Good luck

[dunnbeetle]

Yeah I was able to get the wheels back with the combination of a steel bar and a sledge hammer.

I will be bringing it to a shop of a family member where we can pull it apart and grease it up.

Thanks for the info.