Aligning a Trailer Axle with the Center Bolt on a Spring

Question

Question:

With center bolt of the leaf springs being where it is, how do you slide the axle for alignment?

asked by: Greg

0

Expert Reply:

The axle is self-aligned by the spring center bolt so there's no need to slide the axle. Axle manufacturers weld the spring seat in a specific location to align perfectly with the center bolt/nut on the leaf spring. Once all parts are assembled and installed this automatically aligns the axle. If your axle is out of alignment there is a possibility the axle is bent or one or more of the axle suspension components is damaged and needs to be replaced. Uneven tire wear (one being more worn than the other, one being worn on the inside, one on the outside, etc) is a sure sign of a bent axle.

I recommend taking your trailer to a local trailer service center so they can properly inspect all the suspension components. I have attached a spring installation video that you may find helpful.

expert reply by: Carla M

0

Answer 1

Hello Rocky, thanks for reaching out. If your new leaf springs do not have as much of an arch as the old springs they are definitely not going to help your situation if your tires are already rubbing on the fenders. What we would usually do here is…

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Answer 2

It looks like the springs that you have are the 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 3,500-lb Trailer Axles #SP-210275. These springs do not have a lot of curve built into them at 2-3/4" when relaxed from eylet to top of spring pack. There are some…

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Answer 3

Hey Edgar, I've attached a diagram below that should have all the measurements you need for the mounting brackets of the etrailer Scissor Stabilizer Jacks w/ Handle #TJSCHD-24-4. The brackets are about an 1/8" thick.

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Answer 4

In order to remove the hub/drum on your trailer you will want to first remove the spindle nut. Once the spindle nut is removed you are going to want to take a hammer and tap the outer portion of the drum as well as the hub face a few times to break…

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Answer 5

If there is a tiny bit of play in suspension components that are designed to move you would be fine. 1/16 of an inch isn't very much, and as long as you torqued everything down to spec you would be good to go. Ideally we just don't want it…

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Answer 6

The torque requirements for leaf spring u-bolts depend on the diameter of the u-bolts that are being used. If the gross weight of your tandem axle trailer is 7,000 lbs, then you likely have two 3,500 lb axles. Typically 1/2 inch diameter u-bolts are…

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Answer 7

The Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 kit part #AL47PD would be a great option for your 2023 Ford F-150 that's a confirmed fit that is also compatible with an in-bed hitch like your fifth wheel rail kit. Then for a compressor kit the part #AL25655 would…

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Answer 8

Air bag suspension like the Firestone #F2609 and weight distribution can work great together but the trick is to inflate the air bags to the desired pressure first and then follow the setup procedure for the weight distribution to set the spring bar…

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Answer 9

It is possible to use a weight distribution system and air spring suspension enhancement together in a 2013 Ford F-250 or F-350 Super Duty, though if you are experiencing sag with a weight distribution system, it may not have the proper rating for…

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Answer 10

You would know to replace brake shoes the same way you would know with a vehicle. If performance is suffering and adjusting the brakes does not help and there are no other issues causing the poor performance it is probably time to change the brake…

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Answer 11

Are there any visible signs of wear on the magnets like exposed windings then that would indicate they need replacing. Magnets can go bad without showing visible signs of wear though. To see how to troubleshoot them check out the help article I…

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Answer 12

I can help you with greasing up your EZ Lube Axle. First thing I would check would be that the grease is not coming out of the back of the axle through the seal. If this is the case you will need to replace the seal. Our tubes like #L11390 have 14…

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Aligning a Trailer Axle with the Center Bolt on a Spring

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