How to "Fix" an Alignment Problem?

**TucsonJim** · 07-21-2018, 04:55 PM

When we started our summer journey in late May, I noticed that one of my tires was showing excessive wear along the inside edge of the tire. The wear pattern was identical around the whole circumference of the tire. Not wanting to deal with an axle problem on the road, I rotated another tire that had excellent wear characteristics to the questionable wheel position. Approximately 3,000 miles later, that tire is exhibiting the exact same wear pattern.

Here is a picture of the tire that is currently on the questionable wheel position (left rear). You can see that the sipes and other tire characteristics are worn off on the inside (right) edge:

It is a 5,200# LCI axle. Here is a photo of the axle tag:

I've never dealt with an issue like this. I don't know if the axle can be bent into proper alignment, or if it needs to be replaced. According to my 2017, Reflection Owner's Manual, the main beam of the axle is warranted for a period of six years. However, based on other threads I've seen on the forum, I expect LCI to deny warranty coverage. It appears they have a pattern of blaming the owner for one of the following: Curbing the tire, Overloading the axle, or improper tire inflation. It would be very hard to curb the left rear tire in order to cause the inside edge to wear. I had individual wheel weights measured at the Elkhart rally less than a year ago. That particular wheel position showed 2,005#. As for inflation, I always run with a TPMS and I've never had a leak on any of my four tires.

If I have to replace the axle, does anyone know of a good source? Can I reuse the U-bolts and nuts? I anticipate that I'll have to swap over the brakes, bearings, etc. Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks much,

Jim

**webpilot** · 07-21-2018, 08:23 PM

Hi Jim,

The roads are sometimes not the best when we travel and there are potholes everywhere. The roads can cause havoc with tires and alignments. I would suggest that you find a good shop that can do an alignment with a laser alignment system. It may require bending the axle to get the alignment correct. The Correct track is supposed to work to get the wheels all aligned, but I have had several shops tell me that youi might still need to get the axles bent for proper alignment.

Hav you measured from the hub on one wheel to the same place on the other tandem wheel and compared them to the other side? Are they within 1/4" If not you need to get an alignment.

My $.01 worth.

Best wishes,
George

**TucsonJim** · 07-21-2018, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by webpilot

Hi Jim,

The roads are sometimes not the best when we travel and there are potholes everywhere. The roads can cause havoc with tires and alignments. I would suggest that you find a good shop that can do an alignment with a laser alignment system. It may require bending the axle to get the alignment correct. The Correct track is supposed to work to get the wheels all aligned, but I have had several shops tell me that youi might still need to get the axles bent for proper alignment.

Hav you measured from the hub on one wheel to the same place on the other tandem wheel and compared them to the other side? Are they within 1/4" If not you need to get an alignment.

My $.01 worth.

Best wishes,
George

George - We have a pretty good alignment shop in Tucson. I'll call them on Monday to see if they can help me out. BTW, there is no "Correct Track" on the Reflection travel trailers.

Jim

**gbkims** · 07-21-2018, 09:56 PM

Jim,
John Barca over at RV.net & Sunlineclub likes to dig into these problems, his travel trailer had tire wear problem he wrote about.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/22677205.cfm

If you had to buy an axle, best not to let UPS touch it.

Gene

**TucsonJim** · 07-21-2018, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by gbkims

Jim,
John Barca over at RV.net & Sunlineclub likes to dig into these problems, his travel trailer had tire wear problem he wrote about.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/22677205.cfm

If you had to buy an axle, best not to let UPS touch it.

Gene

Wow Gene - Thanks for that. What a great write up.

Jim

**D2Reid** · 07-22-2018, 09:17 AM

I would make the effort to get an axle replacement. When I had LCI axle problems there was a little push back at first, I had to produce weigh bills showing within weight specs and I had a TPMS so proved I was aware of tire pressure requirements. LCI replaced one axle, then when I was still having problems they replaced both axles. In my case I was blowing the left front tire frequently.

After warranty was up I found a big pothole in OK and bent a spindle. I then upgraded my axles.

I found axles 86.5" 5200# axles on etrailer dot com for $152. Not sure they are the same exact ones.

I know there are people that have successfully had their axles aligned, but I could never find anyone who knew what I was talking about, so just bought new axles.

Etrailer axles.

**Second Chance** · 07-22-2018, 12:12 PM

Jim,

If you recall, we had this issue a few years ago. Steve Gravelle is an excellent person to reach out to on trailer suspension alignment (basically takes a heavy truck/trailer alignment shop with the equipment to bend the axle). GD finally agreed to pay for the replacement of the bent axle and we put the money toward the MOR/ryde suspension.

Rob

**Country Campers** · 07-22-2018, 03:14 PM

Jim

I believe that the new axle will come with brakes also you may bee able to order a bare one. I would opt for one with all parts installed. Also you should not reuse the u-bolts. When they are installed the thread pitch is very fine and they stretch. When you remove the nuts sometimes that makes the threads not useable. They are not that expensive.

Good luck,

Brian

**CloseToRetirement** · 07-22-2018, 04:43 PM

Jim,

I used a trusted shop in Minnesota for both my previous TT and my Solitude. The owner has since retired but was a wealth of information on RV alignments.

He used to average 500 RVs per year (about 1/day) which included Class A, FW and TT. He was a large frame alignment and suspension specialist so the balance of is his business was comprised of tractors and trailers.

Over the years he never had an RV come into his shop that was aligned properly. Some were so bad the owner would go through a set of 4 tires each year. My TT was out by a half inch which means maybe 2 years on a set of tires. My Solitude was out marginally but would also have had unusually wear but over a greater time period.

When I pulled the Westlakes from the Solitude last year (my target is 15,000 miles or 3 years, whatever comes first) they had worn evenly across the tread (just short of 6,200 miles). I am very happy to have had both RVs aligned and my experience with tire wear on both units was very good.

Hope you find the same with a trusted shop in Tucson.

**howson** · 07-22-2018, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by CloseToRetirement

Over the years he never had an RV come into his shop that was aligned properly. Some were so bad the owner would go through a set of 4 tires each year.

I suspect this problem contributes to tire failures as much as the obvious low pressure/overloading/road hazard issues. A list of trusted alignment specialists would be a great addition to the Reference Library.