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Old 07-16-2010, 03:15 PM   #1
pbahlin
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sioux Falls
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Axle Alignment

I had my new G614s mounted today. Yeah! If nothing else these things at least look like real tires. My Missions looked like the Pillsbury Doughboy. That's the good news.

The bad news is that we found an interesting 'issue' during the process. On the passenger side, the dealer just pushed a big hydraulic jack between the tires and lifted on the center spring hanger bracket. It was a tight but easily workable fit.

On the driver's side this didn't work. When he started lifting, the jack hit the tires before any trailer lifting occured. Hmmmmm??? It seems the driver side tires are closer together than the passenger side. Can't be a good thing. It's hard to get an accurate reference to measure from but by my eyeball (on finding the centers) the center to center difference looks to be different by something like 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch from left side to right side.

A little side info is that last week was my first real tow (back to the dealer for a W/D install) so I decided to torque my U-bolts before we left. My 7,000 lb axle spec is 45-70 ft lbs so my starting torque was 45 and I was able to get a minimum of a half turn (and some almost a full turn) on every nut to get to 45.

Could my axles have been moving around before that tightening? I think so and I'm thinking this thing needs to be aligned before I go anywhere (except in for alignment).

I never took this trailer anywhere before I torqued the U-bolts. Do you think this is a warranty issue, dealer issue, act of God, or what?
 
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Old 07-17-2010, 04:01 AM   #2
pbahlin
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I should add that this rig was bought as a leftover.
I'm the first owner in spite of it's age
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Old 07-17-2010, 02:07 PM   #3
thor
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if you have warranty then i would get checked out one way or another see what your dealer will do for you.you just spent a good dollar for new tires why ruin them because of a miss aligment.
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Old 07-18-2010, 02:30 AM   #4
indy roadrunner
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If you would like to check the alignment yourself here are the steps.
Drop a plumb bob off the king pin and mark on the ground or leave hanging. Drop a plumb bob from the center line of the front axle each side and make a mark. Now measure from the king pin to the marks of the front axles. They should be equal distance for exact centering. Now measure from the center line of the front axle to the center line of the rear axle. Should be same distance on both sides.
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Old 07-18-2010, 03:27 AM   #5
pbahlin
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Phil:

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to do that with pictures to send to keystone.

Do you have any thoughts on alignment. For example, am I right to assume that loose u-bolts allow the axles to shift? Is it true that you could align it yourself using your technique and a few good men?
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Old 07-18-2010, 05:42 AM   #6
indy roadrunner
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Yes, loose u-bolts will cause axle shifts and other problems.
Axle alignment is critical and has many bad side effects such as tire wear, even higher fuel useage due to the drag effect.
If you are serious and going to do it yourself, I recommend jacking up the front axle and put it on jack stands and removing the tire to get good measurements (King Pin to Center Axle measurement.
In the trucking industry, we have to do this as every annual Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI) and you would be surprised at how many axle require some type of alignment. Trailers often get "curbed" which is very hard on axles and tires.
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Old 08-11-2010, 02:47 PM   #7
pbahlin
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Update on axle alignment.

Turns out that my axles are fine. It seems that my problem was trying to make any assumptions about alignment on uneven ground. The Moryde equalizers can do strange things when one wheel is taking more load due to bumpy ground.

I took the rig to a tractor trailer suspension specialist and they checked it out and found no problems at all. Their measurements took place on a shop floor, perfectly flat and level.

By the way if you ever have a need for suspension issues go to Donovan Spring in Londonderry New Hampshire. They checked out my rig and charged me nothing. In the process they gave me an education on Moryde. They worked on my issue for a good 30 minutes. When's the last time you got that kind of service for no charge? Also, I arrived late for my appointment and they took me in immediately. Unbelievable service.
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Old 08-11-2010, 05:39 PM   #8
lasater
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I noticed excessive wear on the passenger side tires last month. I took my 3075RL to Royal Alignment in Rapid City to be checked.
The axles were 3/8" out of alignment. I don't know if that was caused by real sharp u-turns, potholes, or an occasional hitting of a curb in a sharp turn. Bottom line, the axles are now in alignment and my next step is to replace the two passenger side tires. They are done.

On the question of warranty, I don't think the warranty covers things that are screwed up by the owner, such as hitting curbs when turning. But, you never know.
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