axles - Montana Owners Club

sabeaulieu · 06-13-2011, 11:04 AM

has anyone had a problem with their axles being bent causing tires to wear wrong.This is on a 3400rl

stiles watson · 06-13-2011, 11:19 AM

It happens. Some reports say it may be as cheap to replace the axle as to try to have it straightened. A dealer may not be able straighten. You may need a place with expertise in axle alignment.

Ozz · 06-13-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by sabeaulieu

has anyone had a problem with their axles being bent causing tires to wear wrong.This is on a 3400rl

My 2004 Keystone Sprinter had that problem, the dealer changed the axels out no charge, (it was just under a year old.)

Hooker · 06-13-2011, 12:16 PM

Is it one tire or more? I had a problem with tire wear...turned out to be the tire, not the axle.

Jdrobone · 06-13-2011, 02:00 PM

Had a problem with tire wear last year. Darryl (from Keystone at Goshen) sent me over to "Buds" (mixed reviews on this guy), but anyway, Bud's said the axle was not square to the frame and re-aligned the axle. Seems to be better, hard to tell with the 614's since the outside of the tire is mostly smooth anyway. Previously it would roll up litle beads of rubber as the coach traveled. No more beads anyway.

Art-n-Marge · 06-13-2011, 02:12 PM

Another problem I read was that the spindle was bent and not the axle, nor a tire problem and the axle had to be replaced cuz they can't bend spindles. I guess there's all kinds of possibilities and some of them need an expert.

I'd be more worried about the cause since my rig is well under all weight ratings. RxR tracks scare me sometimes especially when I don't catch them fast enough and hop through them. Others have reported some pretty bad roads across the country.

dieselguy · 06-13-2011, 02:34 PM

In answer to your question ... yes. Take it to an alignment shop that deals in truck and trailer alignment ... they'll do you right as in telling you if you can be aligned or need a new axle. Generally, if you take it to a dealer, he'll just subcontract out the alignment work or immediately tell you you need a new axle as few have suspension work facilities. My axles were without camber and the rear axle was toed out instead of in right from the factory ... @$150.00 later at a local trailer alignemnt business all was well. Keystone cut me a check shortly afterward.

c214dick · 06-15-2011, 04:01 AM

Check the archives for previous postings regarding your problem. I have a number of posts documenting my similar problem and solution. Our bent axle was verified by a shop specializing in trucks and frames. We ordered a replacement axle and tires both were covered by insurance as collision, less deductible.

01RAMer · 06-15-2011, 06:39 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by c214dick

Check the archives for previous postings regarding your problem. I have a number of posts documenting my similar problem and solution. Our bent axle was verified by a shop specializing in trucks and frames. We ordered a replacement axle and tires both were covered by insurance as collision, less deductible.

If I may ask, how much is a replacement axle (ball park) and where did you get it?

**Carl n Susan** · 06-15-2011, 10:31 AM

I purchased replacement Dexter axles from my local RV part house. As I recall, they were around $130 each.

c214dick · 06-15-2011, 11:54 AM

I bought my replacement axle direct from Dexter. They gave me a break on the price and I had it installed at Tampa Springs in Ocala, Fl. I don't remember the exact amount but it was very reasonable. Go to this link for additional info
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=43217

01RAMer · 06-20-2011, 06:06 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Carl n Susan

I purchased replacement Dexter axles from my local RV part house. As I recall, they were around $130 each.

Wow! I thought they would be much more that that. I'm surprised they can make them that cheep. I ws in Tractor Supply and they wanted almost 300 for their 3200 lb. Thanks for the info.

GaryM · 06-26-2011, 07:22 AM

We had a tire (Marathon) separate and I was lucky that I caught it before it blew up. This was the same tire/rim that departed from our rig at 60 MPH. The other 3 tires were cupping and wearing.

So once I got the Goodyear G614's installed and balanced the RV went in for an axle alignment at a axle/spring shop here in Canada. I was concerned about the alignment after the loss of our wheel. As I pointed out to Keystone several times and they did nothing to check it out.
The rear axle hit the ground and the load was doubled on the other tire.

The axles were out of alignment and have now been corrected.

Keystone now has a copy of the tire and alignment bills. We will see if there customer service has improved over the last six months.

Bradley Dighton · 07-03-2011, 02:44 PM

I had atire blowout coming home from AZ this spring. After inspecting the three remaining tires I found a six inch worn spot on the inside tread. Would this be a tire, axle, or alignment problem? Our Montana is only a year old.

Desert RVer · 07-03-2011, 04:41 PM

Bradley,

I would suspect a 6" worn spot on the tire being a balance problem but could be the tread separating in that area. We had two Mission tires show wear on one edge all the way around but that was due to tread separation.

**Rondo** · 07-03-2011, 05:03 PM

Bradley if you crawl under the unit and measure the distance between the axles at both sides, you may see they are not even and you will have a problem there! The axle shop can take care of them or give you the real deal on what is going on with them and giving you the tire wear!

8.1al · 07-04-2011, 02:15 AM

An alignment problem will give you wear all the way around the tire, inside,outside. If the wear is just one spot, not all the way around,then you have a tire problem.

jimcol · 07-04-2011, 05:19 AM

I just corrected a wear problem on my rear axle. Inside tread was wearing on both tires. The wear was identical on both tires. I had lost all the camber in that axle. Don't know for sure when I lost it but suspect it was when a spring hanger broke. Talked to some shops about putting the camber back in the axle. Two things I found out. 1. Some don't like to work on RV's, 2. The success rate isn't 100%. Based on that I just replaced the axle. Went from a 5200# thin wall to a 6000# medium wall. This was based on Dexters recommendation. Dexter wanted $170 for the axle plus shipping. Local shop charged $160 for the axle, $120 labor, and I think around $50 for new pins, seals, u-bolts, and wire for brakes. While Dexter didn't take any responsibility, and I didn't expect them too as the original lasted for about 38k miles, they were very helpful to me and the trailer shop to get what I feel I needed.
I think Charlie and Desert RV'er are spot on if the tread wear problem is only 6"'s. Must be a tire or balance problem.
Jim

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