MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
4-11
Alignment
Wheel Alignment
DANGER
When trailer tires show signs of scuffing, feather-edging
or uneven wear, examine the trailer for damaged
suspension (frame, shocks, linkage, etc.), axle, wheel
bearings and wheels. Proper wheel alignment and wheel
bearing adjustment is essential for proper tire wear. The
simplest form of checking wheel alignment “toe” is by
running the trailer over a “SCUFF GAUGE”. A scuff
gauge reading of 16 feet or less per mile is considered
satisfactory. If a scuff gauge is not readily available, or
edge wear on one side of a tire is occurring signifying
positive or negative camber, alignment can be checked
as follows:
1.
Remove wheel, hub and bearing assemblies.
2.
Place a 3-point axle gauge against the front side of
the axle, and adjust each axle gauge point to the
axle. (Double point end against the inner and outer
wheel bearing surfaces of the spindle being checked
and the other point on the inner bearing surface on
the other spindle
.)
3.
Move the axle gauge and place against the back side
of the axle. If either of the points of double point end
fails to touch the axle surface, a bent spindle is
evident. A point gap of .015" or more is considered
excessive tire “toe” and the axle must be replaced
(
4.
Follow the same procedures as in Steps 2 and 3
,
except place the axle gauge above and below the
axle. If gauge point gap is found, the axle has
positive or negative camber. The trailer axle has no
camber from the factory. If it is found to have positive
or negative camber, axle replacement is necessary
for examples of camber
(
Figure 4-5: Checking Axle for Bend
To prevent a life threatening accident:
1.
Support trailer so tires are off the ground.
2.
Support the trailer on jack stands with
sufficient capacity to support the total weight
of the trailer and any load which it may be
carrying.
GAP INDICATES
BEND
SET POSTION
(TOP OR BACK)
AXLE
CHECK POSITION
(BOTTOM OR FRONT)
3-POINT AXLE
GAUGE
