Excessive Tire wear

[SHickey]

Hello,

I bought a 19' Blue Fin last fall and this spring I am noticing the drivers side trailer tire has some pretty severe wear on the inside corner of the tread. It would appear the wheel is not sitting square on the road.

Is there a way I can change the alignment of that wheel and reduce the tire wear this season? The trailer is a single axle Yacht Club trailer. Any help with this problem would be most appreciated!!

SH

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

Sounds like the axle or stub is bent or you've got a bearing that is really busted up. Put it on jackstands so that the center of the axle is level. Take the wheels off and put a magnetic angle finder on the hub face. See what kind of angle you get vertically on each side.

 

[JB]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

What the Jeep said. Been there, done that, wore out the T shirt.

 

[SHickey]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

Thanks for the response. Do you think I should pull the wheel off and check on the condition of the inner bearing first.

I would imagine I would need to take it the the trailer shop if the axle or stub is bent. I don't think I have the equipment to fix that problem.

SH

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

If the axle or spindle is bent it's probably cheaper and easier to get a new axle. Welding isn't cheap but a new axle complete with new hubs and bearings is under $150 and easy to change out yourself.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

It could also be a spring eye bushing throwing it out of alignment.

 

[SHickey]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

Thanks Commander, I will check that out too.

SH

 

[cr2k]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

Are both the tires the same; brand, size, load rating? ST tires right?

 

[SHickey]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

Yes Captain, both tires are exactly the same, brand, size and load rating. I'm not sure what ST stands for unless it means "standard trailer?.

I am really hoping it is a bad set of rear bearings that is throwing my tire out of alignment. If I have time tomorrow, I will remove the tire and check out the bearings.

Thanks
SH

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

... I'm not sure what ST stands for unless it means "standard trailer?.
... I will remove the tire and check out the bearings.

Thanks
SH

Good guess! Special Trailer!

You'll know if the bearing have a problem as soon as you get it off the ground.
Grab the tire at 3 and 9 o'clock.
Alternately pull one side and push the other.
The tire should just barely have a little play; you should be able to feel a small "Tick" as it rocks.
More than a 1/16" of play is bad. No play is also bad.

 

[lokonn]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

Don't know your area but if bearings are not the problem get it to a shop that can do an alignment. Many times axle can be straightened and get camber and toe numbers that will support good tire wear. A lot of times it depends on where the axle is bent on whether it can be corrected. May be a good fix. If axle is bent and spring bushings are shot as well as bearings you might be better off changing out assembly as was mentioned before. Trailer stuff is relatively cheap compared to auto/truck components. At our shop we do a fair number of aligmnents on boat trailers, campers etc. Good luck. I have a 19 ft bluefin as well and am in process of redoing that.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

I'm with oldjeep on this one.

 

[Lrgmouth]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

You can also check to see if the nuts on the u bolts have gotten loose and let the axle shift a little bit. I had the same thing happen to my trailer and all it was is the axle had shifted about 1/4 of an inch. You can take a measurement from any point on your trailer to the axle on both sides and see if it is square

 

[bigdee]

Re: Excessive Tire wear

Park on a level surface. Use a level on axle to make sure it is level,you can add shims under tire if needed. Use a level on each tire and check for plumb. You will have to cut a board or 2x4 to the length that is equivalent to your rim diameter and place itagainst the rim in a vertical position. Check plumb (camber) using the board as a spacer for the level.