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Old 09-24-2018, 05:06 PM   #1
rescue7
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Tire wear , axle problem

Looking for help I have the rear driver side tire excessive wear inside edges. took a level across both tires and rear tire is pointed front side out about an inch. Right side is good. measured between tires and right side is 4 1/2 inches between inside of tires and right side is 6 1/2. took tire off and spring shackle bolts are easy to turn so they are loose. Looking at where the axle meets the bottom spring the axle is at the rear of the spring. all the rest of the springs and axles mounts are centered. I am thing axle shifted back and is twisted out.
Do you think loosing the shackle and pulling axle forward to same as the other side in distance apart and centered on spring.
Looking for suggestions

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Old 09-24-2018, 05:30 PM   #2
1retired06
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I would reset the axle as you described and rotate tires. Then watch wear carefully. If no more uneven wear, thumbs up. If there is, I would take to a competent shop for axle alignment at that point.
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Old 09-24-2018, 05:45 PM   #3
BB_TX
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I would be concerned about a bent axle. Thinking about it. If one side of the axle slid back causing that tire to turn out, and if the axle was straight, the tire on the other side would turn in an equal amount. Which you would expect to wear that other tire an equal amount on the outside edge.

Another thought is that when the axle shifted back, it also rotated slightly so that the natural bow of the axle rotated slightly forward. That could account for one tire turning out while the other remained straight.
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Old 09-24-2018, 06:01 PM   #4
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Its almost impossible for an axle to move for or aft since there should be a pin holding it in place. The U-bolts would have to be REALY loose for that to happen. Or the pin sheared off. I would take your unit to a heavy truck shop that works on big rigs/dump trucks and have them check it out and align the axles. NO CAMPER COMES FROM THE FACTORY WITH ITS AXLES ALIGNED.
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Old 09-24-2018, 07:56 PM   #5
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Make sure your shackles haven't flipped at the equalizer. There are photos somewhere on here, do a search.
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Old 09-24-2018, 07:58 PM   #6
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We have purchased 6 new 5th wheels over the past 25 years and one of the first things I do is check the torque on spring shackles, including the U bolts, and tighten then to spec. This is just one of the items that need to be verified on a new unit. I can say that I have NEVER found all the nuts and bolts tight.
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Old 09-24-2018, 10:20 PM   #7
BuilderBob
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I agree with beeje on the fact that unless the center pine sheared off the axle should not move.You need to look for worn or broken parts and then have the alignment checked! They are never right from the factory.
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Old 09-25-2018, 06:04 AM   #8
mazboy
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call pauls in kingsley.

down in GR there is an alignment shop too.
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Old 09-25-2018, 06:58 AM   #9
rescue7
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Thanks for info on Pauls, think that is where we are going.

Thanks to all others for info
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Old 09-25-2018, 09:53 AM   #10
phillyg
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1retired06 View Post
I would reset the axle as you described and rotate tires. Then watch wear carefully. If no more uneven wear, thumbs up. If there is, I would take to a competent shop for axle alignment at that point.
Agree with 1retired06.
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Old 09-26-2018, 04:59 PM   #11
MaxwellD
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Originally Posted by rescue7 View Post
Looking for help I have the rear driver side tire excessive wear inside edges. took a level across both tires and rear tire is pointed front side out about an inch. Right side is good. measured between tires and right side is 4 1/2 inches between inside of tires and right side is 6 1/2. took tire off and spring shackle bolts are easy to turn so they are loose. Looking at where the axle meets the bottom spring the axle is at the rear of the spring. all the rest of the springs and axles mounts are centered. I am thing axle shifted back and is twisted out.
Do you think loosing the shackle and pulling axle forward to same as the other side in distance apart and centered on spring.
Looking for suggestions

Thanks
We had a similar problem only the curbside inside tire wear was extreme. Driver side less extreme but still excessive. The hangers were not mounted on the frame equidistant form side to side. The repair was cutting the front and rear hangers, re welding them on at the exact intervals to have the suspension square on then frame. So far - so good ! I dont know for sure but a spring shackle nut that is “hand-tight” does not sound right to me. (40-50 ft lbs torque is what I have heard).
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Old 09-28-2018, 01:50 PM   #12
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Question

What is the Torgue setting for the U-Bolts?
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Old 09-28-2018, 07:26 PM   #13
beeje
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I believe its around 75 lbs depending on the size of the ubolt.
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Old 09-28-2018, 08:43 PM   #14
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From a post long ago.

"
Go to your Dexter Axle operation maintenance service manual that came with the unit. Go to page 65 paragraph titled...... Suspension Fastener Torque Values. We have the 1/2 inch U bolt and the torque is listed as min 45 max 70. Now look at #1 at the bottom of the page "Support the trailer with the wheels just off the ground""

I don't know about doing this with the wheels off the ground but it can't hurt?
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Old 09-30-2018, 02:29 PM   #15
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For torquing your shackle and equalizer fasteners I’d recommend being off the ground. For u-bolt torquing I’d recommend having the full weight of the unitnon your springs. The overslung spring attachment compressed under weight. The torque would be more accurate under load.
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Old 09-30-2018, 04:41 PM   #16
rescue7
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I moved left side axle to center of spring. Measured right side front to rear tire from center line of axle. set left side same. Dropped plumb bob from king pin and check front axle form equal distance with laser. Torqued u bolts.

There is not a guide bolt on bottom, where axle sits, there is one on top. Does anyone know if there should be one. It looks like in all pictures it goes thru spring to hold it together.
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Old 10-01-2018, 07:34 AM   #17
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I believe there should be a pin on the bottom of the bracket welded to the axle tube. There is a hole in the spring were the pin goes into. This pin keeps the axle from moving for and aft. I suppose if the u bolts are very loose the axle could move back and forth with enough force to shear the pin off. ?
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Old 10-01-2018, 08:46 AM   #18
rescue7
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Talked to Lippert and Dexter today. They said should be a bolt on bottom and must have sheared. They recommend replacing both springs and u bolts since they cold be stressed by the axle moving back.
So going out to order today. While I am at it i believe I am going to replace all 4 just to have all new and the same.
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Old 10-01-2018, 10:48 AM   #19
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If you decide to replace these parts, be sure and do a alignment from a shop that specializes in large vehicles and trailers.
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Old 10-01-2018, 03:19 PM   #20
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I think I need time and money - going to MorRyde IS and DB
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