Front axle evaulation for FAQ

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:17 PM

With so many questions on caster and front end alignments and issues I thought I'd put together a post on how I evaluate an axle for problems.

I'd do this if I had problems or before I brought the truck in for an alignment.

I like to start at the passenger side of the vehicle first. This is mainly do to the fact that it's the first wheel right off of the steering box.

Once I've jacked up the passenger side wheel off the ground I do a cursory check of the lower knuckle arms. There have been issues with these nuts loosening up and the arms coming loose and giving driving issues.

Attached is the jack in place and a shot of the lower knuckle arm.

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:19 PM

The next thing I do is check for bearing play in the tire. This is done by grabbing the tire at 12:00 and 6:00 o'clock positions and lifting the bottom of the tire as you push the top of the tire. Any play here would mean that the bearing is loose and needs your attention.

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:25 PM

Next up is to look for play in the tire rod ends. This time you grap the tire at 9:00 and 3:00 o'clock positions and push left and right. Any free movement would mean that a Tie rod end is likely worn. Since we've started on the passenger side and free movement would be in the drag link which goes from the steering box to the knuckle arm on the passenger side. Attached are pictures of both ends of the drag link and the hand position for checking for play.

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:27 PM

Next up is to check for play in the trunion bearings. This requires the use of a bar as you alone might not be able to get the needed force on the tire to feel the play. You'll need to lift the tire with the bar. I usually have my left hand on the rim to feel the place

Attached is a pic of how to set up the bar and where the trunion bearings are located.

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:31 PM

At this point I put the passenger side tire back on the ground and perform the same set of checks on the driver side.

The only difference is that and play in the tie rod check would be a result of a warn tie rod end on the tie rod. This is the rod that travels behind the axle and links the two tires together.

Attached is a picture of a tie rod end

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:33 PM

The last check would to be sure that the clamp that holds the Tie rod in place is positioned properly so as not to contact the leading arm and give a false reading on the rack.

locrwln1 · 02-13-07, 06:36 PM

Very nice. I don't really have anything constructive to add but eeewww I'm glad the underside of mine doesn't look like that. Yeah rust free.

Sorry.

Jack

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:37 PM

During these checks, any play needs to be identified. This usually requires a second person to do the moving and you to grab onto the suspect parts and find where they are loose.

Loose would mean that there is some free play where there is little to no resistance in movement. Being able to apply enough force to get some flex out of the system doesn't constitute play.

boydmick · 02-13-07, 06:38 PM

When checking for play in the trunion bearings; which way am I moving the rod?

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by locrwln1

Very nice. I don't really have anything constructive to add but eeewww I'm glad the underside of mine doesn't look like that. Yeah rust free.

Sorry.

Jack

Cameras tend to accentuate red so they always look worse then they are.

On a side note Massachusetts is starting a new sanding policy. They found that by adding brewery remnant to the sand they can greatly reduce the amount of salt used and it's more effective. All this and it costs less also.

It just smells like a frat house after a party when you drive on it the next day.

landtank · 02-13-07, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boydmick

When checking for play in the trunion bearings; which way am I moving the rod?

You're lifting the tire with the bar. I'll edit that at the top.

Waggoner5 · 02-13-07, 06:47 PM

Great post, I may steal some of it for a sticky to be attached to another thread. people like pics.

Dang the salt is bad up there.
G

landtank · 02-13-07, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waggoner5

Great post, I may steal some of it for a sticky to be attached to another thread. people like pics.

Dang the salt is bad up there.
G

My last drive was 7 hours on I90 in NY after a snow flurry. Those bastids were out in force as it was a lean year up to that point and they needed to get out on the roads.

Waggoner5 · 02-13-07, 07:54 PM

I had no idea it was that bad.

peepers · 02-13-07, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landtank

The next thing I do is check for bearing play in the tire. This is done by grabbing the tire at 12:00 and 6:00 o'clock positions and lifting the bottom of the tire as you push the top of the tire. Any play here would mean that the bearing is loose and needs your attention.

this is a good idea. all of this is. i brought my truck to land tanks to have him help me with the phh and it turns out my wheel bearings were loose as hell.

i had been complaining about castor and all time time it was play in the wheel! these checks will take no more than one hour. i am going to do them every time i get the grease gun out at 5K or so...

Beowulf · 02-13-07, 08:45 PM

Great post Rick. Thanks! We have tried to describe these procedures numerous times so now all we have to do is remind someone to look for this thread.
-B-

Grench · 02-13-07, 08:55 PM

This needs to be linked from the troubleshooting FAQ. It cleared up a few things for me. I was fully unaware of how to check the trunnion bearings.

Great writeup!

stayalert · 02-14-07, 05:18 AM

Kudos Rick, as for the salt

The brewery by product can be expensive but I've experienced favorable results with it. At a college in Needham, MA that I used to work at the grounds crew used it. I was the safety person at the time and within minutes of the application my phone was ringing of the hook regarding some weird smell all over campus.

Nice job documenting some good things to know/do.

(its not just the beverage of choice anymore

)

RacerLex · 02-14-07, 05:31 AM

Great info, I'm gonna check my Cruiser today. Thank you!!!

Chevinater77 · 02-14-07, 08:55 AM

thanks for the great info! Being new to the cruiser world this site has nothing but help and great people! The pictures help to visualize exactly what your talking about! Thanks

Rookie2 · 02-14-07, 10:36 AM

Yes, nice work Rick.

AllenTenT · 02-14-07, 12:58 PM

Most excelent , thanks Tank

vkfzj80 · 02-14-07, 04:43 PM

landtank, thanks for the write up, that is exactly what I needed, very useful info.

cruiserdan · 02-14-07, 04:49 PM

Rick,

How is it that a guy as old as you still has all that hair and it aint grey?

Don't you have a teenage daughter?

landtank · 02-14-07, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

Rick,

How is it that a guy as old as you still has all that hair and it aint grey?

Don't you have a teenage daughter?

Yup the daughter is 18 and the man child is 14. My father was bald at 21 however my grandfather on my mothers side died at 83 with every last strand still in place, but by then it had grayed.

Beowulf · 02-14-07, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landtank

Yup the daughter is 18 and the man child is 14. My father was bald at 21 however my grandfather on my mothers side died at 83 with every last strand still in place, but by then it had grayed.

Baldness (or the lack of) is inherited through your mother's genes.

-B-