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  1. #1
    Member Hez's Avatar
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    Trailer alignment

    On my Ranger Trail I noticed my tires wearing sightly on the outside.

    After further inspection I realized my axle might be out of alignment. My port tire is toe in, and starboard tire is toe out. I checked the leaf springs and I believe the center pins are still there and functioning...but not 100% sure.

    Has anyone else experienced this and what was your resolution?

    On another note: I also checked the straightness of the axle with a 4' level and did have a 1/8" gap in the middle when the level was placed on top. With the slight sag in the axle - should it be replaced?

    I was thinking just order a new axle and u-bolts...leaf springs and just rebuild it all while I'm in there.

    Thoughts?
    Last edited by Hez; 02-20-2018 at 05:37 AM.

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  2. Member
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    #2
    Some axles are bowed on top to allow weight to straighten them out. If one tire is toed in, one toed out the axle might be misaligned with the frame or if it is on springs it may have shifted on the spring. If it's a torsion axle, all bets are off I've seen lots of them that are just plain wacky.

  3. Member Hez's Avatar
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    #3
    Quote Originally Posted by billnorman1 View Post
    Some axles are bowed on top to allow weight to straighten them out. If one tire is toed in, one toed out the axle might be misaligned with the frame or if it is on springs it may have shifted on the spring. If it's a torsion axle, all bets are off I've seen lots of them that are just plain wacky.
    No sir, not a torsion.

    So maybe just a simple disassembly, replacing the leaf springs (which look like original equipment) and U-bolts to start with?

    Wishin' I was fishin'...


    1990 Ranger 374v
    1996 175 HP Mariner - Magnum EFI
    25p Tempest - A45 model
    80 lb 24v MinnKota Maxxum
    Humminbird Helix 10
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    Garmin EchoMap 106sv w/ LS
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    #4
    Put a cinderblock next to each wheel on the outside edge. Put a STRAIGHT 2 x 4 on each cinderblock resting against the wheel/tire and look see if they are parallel to the frame.

  5. Member Hez's Avatar
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    #5
    Quote Originally Posted by billnorman1 View Post
    Put a cinderblock next to each wheel on the outside edge. Put a STRAIGHT 2 x 4 on each cinderblock resting against the wheel/tire and look see if they are parallel to the frame.
    Easier to tell in the bottom picture, but definitely not perfectly parallel to the frame.



    Attached Images Attached Images

    Wishin' I was fishin'...


    1990 Ranger 374v
    1996 175 HP Mariner - Magnum EFI
    25p Tempest - A45 model
    80 lb 24v MinnKota Maxxum
    Humminbird Helix 10
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    Garmin EchoMap 106sv w/ LS
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  6. Member Hez's Avatar
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    #6
    In my quest to figure this out....here are some more pictures...and maybe a clue to the solution to the problem:


    Rear axle a little unaligned




    A view of both rear shackles, notice the angle difference



    Port side shackel









    starboard side shackel




    Okay...any new input based off of this evidence?

    Looking more like I just need to replace leafsprings, u bolts, and all hardware....straightening and re-tightening the starboard side shackel.

    Anyone have any advice or input?
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Hez; 02-26-2018 at 05:59 AM.

    Wishin' I was fishin'...


    1990 Ranger 374v
    1996 175 HP Mariner - Magnum EFI
    25p Tempest - A45 model
    80 lb 24v MinnKota Maxxum
    Humminbird Helix 10
    Humminbird Helix 7
    Garmin EchoMap 106sv w/ LS
    Dual 8' Power Poles



  7. Member Bass AHolic's Avatar
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    #7
    looks like U bolts got loose and slid along spring to me?

  8. Member Hez's Avatar
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    #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Bass AHolic View Post
    looks like U bolts got loose and slid along spring to me?
    Yeah...that is what it looks like to me. Leaf springs are supposed to have the pin to keep the axle aligned.....thinking that broke and leaf springs need replacing.

    Wishin' I was fishin'...


    1990 Ranger 374v
    1996 175 HP Mariner - Magnum EFI
    25p Tempest - A45 model
    80 lb 24v MinnKota Maxxum
    Humminbird Helix 10
    Humminbird Helix 7
    Garmin EchoMap 106sv w/ LS
    Dual 8' Power Poles



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    #9
    Only one way to find out. Remove U bolts on left side and see. When you use a 2x4 for a straight edge use the 2" side it will be straighter than the 4" side.

  10. Member Hez's Avatar
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    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by rocket man View Post
    When you use a 2x4 for a straight edge use the 2" side it will be straighter than the 4" side.
    will do, thanks

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    1990 Ranger 374v
    1996 175 HP Mariner - Magnum EFI
    25p Tempest - A45 model
    80 lb 24v MinnKota Maxxum
    Humminbird Helix 10
    Humminbird Helix 7
    Garmin EchoMap 106sv w/ LS
    Dual 8' Power Poles



  11. Member
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    #11
    It looks like the port side spring still has some arch in it but the starboard side has flattened out making the spring a little longer being attached solidly in the front and with the spring shackle in the back allowing the axle to move back on the starboard side. Being a small amount off at the axle centerline is magnified across the diameter of the tire. If you replace the springs it should take car of your problem. You could also measure from the center of the ball hitch to the front of the axle on both sides to see if the starboard side is moved to the rear.

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    #12
    Perhaps if you bought the outfit used someone broke and changed one spring, and maybe put the wrong one on or installed the right one backward. Two new matched springs with alignment pins could be in your future.

  13. Member Hez's Avatar
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    #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Harleyscooter View Post
    It looks like the port side spring still has some arch in it but the starboard side has flattened out making the spring a little longer being attached solidly in the front and with the spring shackle in the back allowing the axle to move back on the starboard side. Being a small amount off at the axle centerline is magnified across the diameter of the tire. If you replace the springs it should take car of your problem. You could also measure from the center of the ball hitch to the front of the axle on both sides to see if the starboard side is moved to the rear.
    - Thank you sir.

    Wishin' I was fishin'...


    1990 Ranger 374v
    1996 175 HP Mariner - Magnum EFI
    25p Tempest - A45 model
    80 lb 24v MinnKota Maxxum
    Humminbird Helix 10
    Humminbird Helix 7
    Garmin EchoMap 106sv w/ LS
    Dual 8' Power Poles



  14. Member Hez's Avatar
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    #14
    Quote Originally Posted by billnorman1 View Post
    Perhaps if you bought the outfit used someone broke and changed one spring, and maybe put the wrong one on or installed the right one backward. Two new matched springs with alignment pins could be in your future.
    I did buy it used, and I absolutely considered that. I did measure each leaf spring and eye to eye they are the same...but maybe there is a difference in the arch/bow.

    Any how - I just ordered replacement springs and hardware for both sides from Ranger, that way everything will be consistent.

    Thanks for everyone's input

    Wishin' I was fishin'...


    1990 Ranger 374v
    1996 175 HP Mariner - Magnum EFI
    25p Tempest - A45 model
    80 lb 24v MinnKota Maxxum
    Humminbird Helix 10
    Humminbird Helix 7
    Garmin EchoMap 106sv w/ LS
    Dual 8' Power Poles



  15. Member
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    #15
    if im looking at one spring which is unloaded due to the trailer being jacked up and one spring loaded because the tire is still on the ground, I could get a false idea about the springs.

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    #16
    Measure from the center of the ball shank, back to each hanger and be sure they are within 1/16". If they are, replace the springs with 26" four leaf, 3000 lb/pr springs. Looks like you have lost most of the free arch in one side and a lot of it in the other side.

  17. Member Hez's Avatar
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    #17
    Quote Originally Posted by RTex View Post
    if im looking at one spring which is unloaded due to the trailer being jacked up and one spring loaded because the tire is still on the ground, I could get a false idea about the springs.
    Great point - didn't think about that

    Wishin' I was fishin'...


    1990 Ranger 374v
    1996 175 HP Mariner - Magnum EFI
    25p Tempest - A45 model
    80 lb 24v MinnKota Maxxum
    Humminbird Helix 10
    Humminbird Helix 7
    Garmin EchoMap 106sv w/ LS
    Dual 8' Power Poles