Alignment issues

[wbaker]

We have been on the road for five years and now we are experiencing suspension problems. We broke the shackles on both sides a few months ago and now we broke a leaf spring. We are not over weight. With the last fix of the spring we now have alignment issues. The side the spring broke the distance between the two tires is a lot closer than the drivers side tires. Suggestions to fix the problem.

WBaker

 

[cookie]

Replace all four (remaining three) springs and get an alignment.
You have the Lippert Equi-Flex, I would replace that as well.

Peace
Dave

 

[danemayer]

Hi wbaker,

A couple of things come to mind.

First, are you certain the replacement shackles were the same size on each side, and the same as your other shackle links?

Second, if you fixed only the broken spring pack, it might be not be flexing as much as the 8 year old springs in the other positions. That could account for some difference in how square the axles sit.

Third, we recently saw an example where the spacing problem between wheels was actually due to internal tire damage where one tire had expanded significantly and was larger than the tire next to it.

Let us know what you find.

 

[TravelTiger]

We had a broken shackle at 4.5 years old. Replaced them all and found most were stretched. These do get a lot of wear & tear!

Also, I seem to recall some reports on the forum back in 2010 of folks having issues with springs going flat on early Bighorns -- possibly attributed to bad steel from China.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wbaker]

Dan,
Thanks for the reply. I would not think the spacing is caused by the tire for they are all new but, the axles could possibly not square and will take some measurements and see. Sounds like I probably should take it to a repair facility and get a alignment. Thanks again
Wayne Baker

- - - Updated - - -

Good information thank you

 

[ram_1955]

At the recent Sevierville rally I was talking to SD. He was telling me how to check alignment yourself.
1. Pull trailer forward a few feet so axles are in what he called travel position. Ground should be level.
2. From kingpin or coupler drop a plumb bob to the ground and mark point.
3. On front axle put a square like a tri-square (1 foot long) on the ground and mark where it touches tire (1 foot off of ground) square to ground front to rear.
4. With a helper measure from the tire mark to the king pin mark, remember to not let the tape bow, a metal tape measure would be best.
5. The measurement on each side should be the same.
note the tires should be the same size
6. Measure from front axle hub to rear axle hub to make sure rear axle is true to front.
note if you have a tri-axle center and rear axle are both checked against the front.

 

[wbaker]

Ray,
Thank you for the information
Wayne Baker

 

[wdk450]

I hope you replaced the shackles with heavy duty (thick) shackle links and wet bolts. These are available from MorRyde and Dexter. You need to have the hole center to hole center measurement of your existing shackles to get the right ones. Truck alignment shops can do your axle alignment with a laser system easily. The guy who did this for me in Nebraska said that even new axles come in to him out of alignment.

Best suspension/alignment recommendation I can make for Fifth Wheels is the MorRyde Independent Suspension solution. No more springs, equalizers, shackles and wet bolts. Steel welded to and between your frame members to make a strong support box for the IS system. Reported problems with this system on this forum are extremely rare, as opposed to conventional spring suspensions.

 

[WillyBill]

Try measuring from spring center bolt to eylet of spring on both front and rear. Compare to original springs. You can get close witthout removing anything. Odds are you were sold wrong spring, it is installed backwards, or less likely - the new spring is not centered in ubolt plate . Also, if your suspension has equalizers between the springs it is time to check them for wear as well.

Good Luck,

WillyBill

 

[Bob&Patty]

If you only replaced one spring and one set of shackles....that's more than likely your problem. A new spring will have a different arc than the old ones still on the coach. The new spring will change the spacing between the other springs/axles. You need to replace the other 3 springs and shackles before you worry about alignment. Just make sure all the springs match to the new one. I had the springs on our coach replaced with 7K springs without any issues. Have not had issues with flat springs since, I also had wet bolts installed with the heavy duty shackles. Been good for 7 years now.