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09-24-2019, 04:07 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2017 28' Flying Cloud
Boulder
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 14
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Axle Alignment?
Any one successfully have a Dexter Torsion Bar axel aligned? I’m hearing both, that they can be aligned, and that they can not.
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09-24-2019, 04:29 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1986 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,138
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They can be aligned but it requires very specialized equipment. The axel tube is actually bent by hydraulics to achieve the proper specs. I would call Dexter and see if the have a dealer list.
__________________
Sorta new (usually dirty) Nissan Titan XD (hardly paid for)
Middle-aged Safari SE
Young, lovely bride
Dismissive cat
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09-25-2019, 02:51 PM
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#3
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,168
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I tried twice at Jackson Center but the process didn't work.
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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09-25-2019, 03:19 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,346
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Axle.
There, I aligned it for you.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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09-25-2019, 03:33 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Allegan
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 146
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I am interested as to why you think that your axles need alignment. Assuming that they were correctly installed at the factory they should be OK - absent some damage. Several years ago I replaced both axles on my trailer. As I remember it, the bolts and mounting holes had very little allowance for adjustment. I did verify that the axle spacing was the same on both the left and right sides (within 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch).
Basically, the axle alignment is "baked in" by the axle manufacturer and how they are mounted to the trailer frame. Unless there is a manufacturing defect, damage or extreme wear the alignment should be good. My 30 year old axles did not show signs of misalignment (unusual tire wear), they just lost their "spring" due to old age.
Whit Nash
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09-26-2019, 08:25 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,408
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Use a long fluorescent light tube laid against center edge of tires. Is there a gap where it doesn’t touch the sidewalk?
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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09-26-2019, 09:49 PM
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#7
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1 Rivet Member
2017 28' Flying Cloud
Boulder
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 14
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Trailer is a 2017 Flying Cloud 28 Twin. Having excessive rear tire wear on the outside edges. On my third set of rear tires. I get about 3,500 per set. Have had them checked for alignment, twice in the last month. Both are out, rear is out the worst. Have had Dexter Reps tell me they can’t align these axels. Airstream says they do it often at JC. Just wondering if anyone has had them successfully aligned, and if so where.
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09-26-2019, 11:11 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
1971 27' Overlander
Kansas City
, Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 235
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You could try a heavy duty truck alignment shop. The I beam on the steer axel of trucks is aligned the exact same way.
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09-27-2019, 08:28 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Allegan
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 146
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Only 3500 miles! Either the axle was defective from the start or there was a significant road interaction. I doubt that a truck alignment shop can bend the axle into alignment. I believe they do that to adjust the camber of the axle. (Camber is the distance/angle that the top of tire is offset from the bottom; a perfectly straight, unbent axle has zero camber.) With the extremely excessive wear you are having, I suspect that your axle(s?) are bent into a toe in or toe out configuration. In effect your tires are not pointing straight ahead and are "scrubbing" themselves to death in short order.
(On a truck steer axle the toe is set by adjusting the steering linkage, typically the tie rod ends. I don't believe that a heavy truck alignment rack has the capability to bend an axle is the horizontal rather than the vertical, camber, plane.)
Giving the extreme wear, you might be able to use a long straightedge to detect what is going on. Hold it level with the ground about halfway up and against the edges of the tires. All four edges should be in line and parallel with the side of the trailer. (Make sure the tires are properly inflated.) Basically, you want all the tires rolling in the same direction - straight ahead.
I would discuss the situation with a truck alignment shop. They may have had relevant experience and may be able to install new axle(s). Two years ago my axles cost $1350 and it was not complicated job.
Kindly keep us posted on what you find. Also, there is a great deal of information here about axle replacement .
Good luck,
Whit Nash
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07-08-2023, 06:01 PM
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#10
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New Member
2001 30' Excella
Gillette
, Wyoming
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
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Alignment is pretty common practice on trailers. It requires axle bent into alignment. The shop is located in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. I had similar issue one tire wore quickly and the shop was able to correct the problem. I can't tell you why they misaligned but tire wear is normal now after several years. We just completed a 2,000 mile trip and my right rear has a slight additional wear now.
John
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07-08-2023, 07:23 PM
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#11
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Site Team
1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,581
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Have you checked to see if your axles are mounted square to the trailer and parallel to each other? You can check this with a plumb bob and a measuring tape. The adjustment for this is relatively simple, and if out can cause odd tire wear.
I measured mine from the front center of the coupler to the center of each hub, as well as from one hub to the next on each side.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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07-08-2023, 09:02 PM
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#12
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The Aluminum Tent 3
2014 23' Flying Cloud
Park City
, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,157
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OP was asking four years ago :-)
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