Do new axles need adjustment?

[malconium]

I have finished installing a pair of new axles on my 1973 31' Airstream including new shocks. I will be installing brand new tires on brand new wheels as well. Besides making sure that the tires are balanced when they are installed is there anything else I will need to do about adjustment or alignment for the new axles? Will I need to adjust the brakes?

Thanks,

Malcolm

[Mikethefixit]

IF your new axles installed easily and you DID NOT DRILL any new holes then the alignment should be good. I did ours 3 yrs ago and although I have not put alot of miles on them the tires show no strange wear pattersons.

[Jim Foster]

I replaced the single axle on our Caravel and both axles on our Excella with new axles.

All three showed excessive tire wear and needed alignment. They were installed using the original holes.

You can do a quick check for tow-in using a long straight edge. Checking for camber can be done on a level surface using a level, but it is a little tricky as you need to measure against the rim, not the tire.

This does not, however, check that the axles are in alignment to the center line of the trailer, and that it will tow in a straight line behind your TV. That can only be done by a good alignment shop.

I use Hewet Alignment in Stockton, CA.

[HowieE]

YES

The way this type of axle is made it would be almost impossible to have a set come out truly aligned. The tolerances between the spindle, arm, and shank are just too hard to hols while welding and cooling.

My factory original axles were out almost 3/8 of an in. on the front axle. When I replaced those the second set were also out but not that much. i would need a set of tires ever 5,000 miles. Once aligned the rot before the ware.

A quick way to check them is to lay a Straight Edge along side the tires passing across the center of the hub. If all tire edges touch the Straight Edge you pretty good, but if any tire edge is not it is time to have then aligned.

Look for a Truck trailer alinement shop as they should have the equipment to bend the tubes. Yes bend the tubes as that is how they are aligned.

The picture below shows my trailer about ready for an alignment.



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