Dexter Axle moved?

[TakingThe5th]

When we got back from our trip and parked the Cougar 333MKS we discovered that our X-Chocks would not fit between the curb-side wheels. The street-side X-Chock fit just fine. Odd because the X-chocks were previously interchangeable. These are the smaller style x-chock with the adjuster nut on top and a handle at the bottom.

My inspection did not reveal a problem. Everything was tight and nothing appeared to have moved. Tires were good but the street-side rear tire was worn more then the others.

I took the 5er to a well-regarded frame shop that knows RVs. They checked parallel axle alignment and found the left side short. (5200 lb Dexter axles, MorRyde CRE 3000) They also found worn out plastic spring bushings at the bracket end of both rear springs. They replaced the worn bushings and moved the spare up to the left rear. I also had them pack the bearings and adjust the brakes. The rig has 12,000 miles on it.

When I went to pick up the rig I checked wheel clearance with the X-chock and it appears that the clearance between the street-side wheels has not changed. I talked to the manager and left the rig there for more investigation. I asked about possible structural problems and there are none, that was all checked out.

Any thoughts on this appreciated. I can't understand how the axles can be parallel yet the clearance between the wheels is different, especially when rims and tires are all the same.

[TakingThe5th]

RCMAN46 wrote:
Check for a sheared spring center bolt.

Measure all four from the axle tube to the spring hanger. They should not differ by much more that 1/16 of an inch.

Bolts are good and everything is within 1/16

[TakingThe5th]

Got a call from the frame shop. The tech checked his work and thought everything was OK. Manager wasn't convinced so he checked too. Between the two of them they covered pretty much everything. But I pointed out that they hadn't explained the reason I brought it in - the X-chock didn't fit. I repeated that the X-chock was not actually the problem, it just told me there was a problem, and so what is/was the problem? At this point-no good explanation.

In all fairness we had already discussed many things, but we never really talked tires. The 5er has the original China bombs with 12K miles on them. Typical tire life is generally 15K miles give or take, depending on .... So they measured the tires. One pair of tires is actually larger then the other pair of tires. The two tires where the X-chock will not fit add about ½". I never rotated the tires and those are the two that take the most abuse in most turns. The two turns in the driveway are left turns, and I try to avoid blind turns (right turns) when backing up, so the majority of turns backing are to the left.

All the measurements are correct from rim to rim.

But wait-there's more. If we believe that the street-side tires are scuffing off more rubber then the curb-side tires, wouldn't that make for a smaller tire? Maybe not, especially if we are in the early stages of belt separation.

I think the frame shop has done their work, although I'm going to follow up to see if they still believe the equilizer bushings and the two front hanger bushings are still good. I also want to double-check to make sure nothing is flipped or bent, although we've already gone over that. But it's time to get my Goodyear tire guy involved. I'm thinking LTs this time around.

[mkirsch]

Are you saying the X-chock still won't fit on the curb (i.e. right) side?

You only mention the street side, which you said fit fine before.

[TakingThe5th]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Have any of the spring shackles 'Flipped'

Right one in picture has flipped

Nothing had flipped when I initially checked it-good thought tho. Right now I'm wondering about the equalizer but let's see what the shop sez.

[RCMAN46]

Check for a sheared spring center bolt.

Measure all four from the axle tube to the spring hanger. They should not differ by much more that 1/16 of an inch.

[alboy]

The failure of the plastic bushings will generally wear into the hangers.After a 5000 mile trip i noticed unusual wear on the tires,thought they were out of alignment or axel problems.Thanks to a thread on here re wet bolt upgrade,it fixed the tire wear issue,it does not take much to affect the alignment.

[Huntindog]

You had a couple of plastic bushings worn out? The ones on the spring hangar end? If that is correct, it is not normal for those to wear out first. I have ALWAYS had the equalizer bushings wear out first. This makes sense as the equalizer carries a lot more load. Did the shop check them all? In any case, I don't get to concerned about the measurement between the tires as it is constantly changing. Now other things such as one tire wearing bad etc. will get my attention.

[Old-Biscuit]

Have any of the spring shackles 'Flipped'

Right one in picture has flipped

[TakingThe5th]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Just for clarification........


When you park do you have to sharpy maneuver your 5th wheel?

OR

Is parking straight back ?in or pull in?


Tight , sharp maneuvering with 'jack' axles/tires cockeyed until you pull straight

Yes, we know cockeyed wheels. We have a tight 90 degree turn completely on blacktop backing onto a 200 foot driveway. At the end of the driveway is another sharp 90 degree turn onto a newer mostly level gravel 80 foot pad but wheel stress is much less. I have tried using the X-chock on both the blacktop and the gravel after "unloading" the stress on the wheels. Whatever has happened seems to be "permanent".

When I tried the X-chock at the shop the rig was sitting on a gravel parking lot that was very icy and therefore very low on friction and pretty level. Had the same result there too.

[TakingThe5th]

ScottG wrote:
As the wheels travel up and down, even a little, the distance between them changes. The ground is probably just a little off level or not perfectly smooth.
So what you found is entirely normal.
I've found I have to make minor adjustments to my X chocks some times.

Good point, but we have moved the rig around and still have the same issue. I was expecting the measurements to change, no?

[Old-Biscuit]

Just for clarification........


When you park do you have to sharpy maneuver your 5th wheel?

OR

Is parking straight back ?in or pull in?


Tight , sharp maneuvering with 'jack' axles/tires cockeyed until you pull straight

[The_Texan]

When you finished "parking" the Cougar, did you stop as you were backing up? If so, try pulling forward just a few inches, before you unhook. I have seen this do the trick.

[ScottG]

As the wheels travel up and down, even a little, the distance between them changes. The ground is probably just a little off level or not perfectly smooth.
So what you found is entirely normal.
I've found I have to make minor adjustments to my X chocks some times.