EAGLE WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECKS
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:15 pm
I felt that this should be a separate topic.
Alignment always starts with the drive axle. You want your drive axle aligned with the frame of the coach. We call this the thrust angle. A simple check that you can do is this:
Park your coach straight on a level hard surface.
Drop a plumbob from a common point on each outer most point of the drive axle housing. For instance, you may use one of the bolts that mounts the stabilizer bar to the drive axle housing.
A plumbob is a string with a ball and pointer attached to it.
Let the plumbob hang freely until it stabilizes and do not let it touch the concrete surface below.
After it is stabilized, mark the ground where the pointer is. do this on both sides of the drive axle. Now you have two marks on the ground.
Now take your plumbob to the front center casting between the torsion bars.
Drop the plumbob from the center of this casting and mark the ground.
Next, remove the coach from where it is parked and then take a measurement from each mark at the drive axle to the front center mark. They should be the same measurement. If not, then you know how much you will need to adjust the drive axle.
Adjutment on the drive axle thrust angle is accomplished through the stabilizer bar.
Next you want to align the bogie or tag wheels to the drive axle.
You will need a ten foot straight edge and your tape measure.
Set the straight edge horizontal against the center of the outer drive axle tire with the other end extending forward through the center of the bogie or rearward through the center line of the tag.
While holding the straight edge, have another person measure from the straight edge to the outer walls of the tire on the bogie or tag. Compare the measurements, they should be the same or the measurement on the front should be no more than 1/16" greater than the measurement on the rear. Now you know what your toe setting is on the bogie or tag. It should be Zero to 1/16" toe in.
Camber setting for the bogie or tag can be checked using a level.
Hold the level vertical against the centerline of the wheel. Check the bubble on your level, it should be centered. If not, you will actually have to install a camber gauge on the spindle to get the actual degree setting so you will know how many degrees to adjust it.
Alignment settings on the bogie or tag is done with tapered shims installed between the spindle and fixing arms.
Next you want to check the front end.
Make sure your coach is parked straight.
To check the front end for toe, take a tape measure and measure from the centerline of the tires on the rear of the tires from side to side. Record the measurement.
Now take a measurement from the centerline of the tires on the front of the tires from side to side.
These measurement should be the same or the rear measurement should be no more than 1/16" greater than the front measurement.
Toe is adjusted through the intermediate tube on the steering.
To check for camber, do the same as what you did on the bogie or tag.
These are just quick checks you can do without going to an alignment shop. Make sure you do not have any worn tie rod ends or steering components. Anytime you replace any tie rod ends or any cross pins and bushings, you will need to have the alignment redone.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask as I know this may sound confusing to anyone who is not familiar with the alignment process.
Dan
Alignment always starts with the drive axle. You want your drive axle aligned with the frame of the coach. We call this the thrust angle. A simple check that you can do is this:
Park your coach straight on a level hard surface.
Drop a plumbob from a common point on each outer most point of the drive axle housing. For instance, you may use one of the bolts that mounts the stabilizer bar to the drive axle housing.
A plumbob is a string with a ball and pointer attached to it.
Let the plumbob hang freely until it stabilizes and do not let it touch the concrete surface below.
After it is stabilized, mark the ground where the pointer is. do this on both sides of the drive axle. Now you have two marks on the ground.
Now take your plumbob to the front center casting between the torsion bars.
Drop the plumbob from the center of this casting and mark the ground.
Next, remove the coach from where it is parked and then take a measurement from each mark at the drive axle to the front center mark. They should be the same measurement. If not, then you know how much you will need to adjust the drive axle.
Adjutment on the drive axle thrust angle is accomplished through the stabilizer bar.
Next you want to align the bogie or tag wheels to the drive axle.
You will need a ten foot straight edge and your tape measure.
Set the straight edge horizontal against the center of the outer drive axle tire with the other end extending forward through the center of the bogie or rearward through the center line of the tag.
While holding the straight edge, have another person measure from the straight edge to the outer walls of the tire on the bogie or tag. Compare the measurements, they should be the same or the measurement on the front should be no more than 1/16" greater than the measurement on the rear. Now you know what your toe setting is on the bogie or tag. It should be Zero to 1/16" toe in.
Camber setting for the bogie or tag can be checked using a level.
Hold the level vertical against the centerline of the wheel. Check the bubble on your level, it should be centered. If not, you will actually have to install a camber gauge on the spindle to get the actual degree setting so you will know how many degrees to adjust it.
Alignment settings on the bogie or tag is done with tapered shims installed between the spindle and fixing arms.
Next you want to check the front end.
Make sure your coach is parked straight.
To check the front end for toe, take a tape measure and measure from the centerline of the tires on the rear of the tires from side to side. Record the measurement.
Now take a measurement from the centerline of the tires on the front of the tires from side to side.
These measurement should be the same or the rear measurement should be no more than 1/16" greater than the front measurement.
Toe is adjusted through the intermediate tube on the steering.
To check for camber, do the same as what you did on the bogie or tag.
These are just quick checks you can do without going to an alignment shop. Make sure you do not have any worn tie rod ends or steering components. Anytime you replace any tie rod ends or any cross pins and bushings, you will need to have the alignment redone.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask as I know this may sound confusing to anyone who is not familiar with the alignment process.
Dan