Patent Application
20050005461
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
This invention is for the alignment of Class 8 Truck—Trailers and Buses. It is standard procedure in the industry to align the steering axle and the drive axles. This should be accomplished periodically depending on the condition of the roads. Most of the roads are in very poor condition, that it is required to do this alignment two times a year. If you drive a truck or bus with it being out of alignment you will wear the tires excessively and it is more difficult to steer and to control—which is a safer factor to consider. Some of the units previously and currently being used—use the tires as the basis of the alignment. Even if tires are inflated equally, the profile will not be exactly the same. Therefore, when you use the tires as a reference point you will not get an accurate reading as using the wheels.
There are some systems that use the wheel, which is 100% better than the other methods of measurement. If you use the tires as a point of reference either from the side wall [which has embossed lettering] or the tread [which has an uneven wear pattern] you will have an inaccurate alignment reading.
This system uses the wheel as the point of reference. Attaching the tooling to the wheel and projecting the position of the drive wheel onto the steering wheel tooling. This system uses a roller plate to set the wheels on when adjusting so it will move without restriction. This system aligns Class 8 Trucks—buses and also has a unit that is used to align the trailer axles. There are also tooling jigs to calibrate the units.
When you find any of the following items out of manufactures specifications—due to ware—poor workmanship previously—broken or damaged in any way these items must be corrected.
Starting the alignment with the vehicle on a level surface, then raise the hood [to have a full visual view of the front, back and top of the tire and wheels]. At this point use only the adjustable trammel point with the ⅜″×¾″×24″bar—placing one end of the trammel bar on the “U” bolt above the axle pad and adjusting the trammel point so it would be touching the spring bushing at the bracket. You then go to the other side of the truck—and do the same thing at the same point. You are checking to establish that the axle reference is true to the direction of the truck. If this is not correct you must correct before continuing, see drawing # 105 page # 5. Using the level on the top of the rail over the spring and noted the degree drawing # 107 page# 5, then place the level on the top surface of the axle spring pad, see drawing # 108 page# 6. Then compare the two angles and see if the degree angle is within the manufactures specifications for the caster setting for that axle. Most of the caster settings on the class 8 trucks will be between 3 and 4 degree positive angle, if correct continual on. At this point jack the steering axle and rotate the wheel checking the bearings for there condition and tightness. Now you check the wheel movement top to bottom making sure the king pins are not worn. Now you move the wheel from side to side checking to see if you have any movement in the tie rod ends or drag link. Check the spring bushing with a steel pry bar to make sure they are not worn excessively. You do the same thing on the other side. When everything checks out you lower the wheels onto the roller plates, see drawing # 109 page # 6 also drawing # 114 page 8.The roller plates allow the wheels and axle to move freely with the weight of the truck. Then take the steering axle alignment units part # 858 and part # 859 and attach them to both wheels, see drawing # 109 page # 6.The bottom and lower front pins are fixed to locate unit—use the two threaded rods to hold the unit to the wheel. Then rotate the other four pins to rest in wheel radius and tighten allen bolts. Then use the toe-in trammel point bar ⅜″×¾″×108″checking the front dimension using the black index point on the top edge of the bottom bar, drawing # 110 page # 7. Then move the trammel bar to the back of the wheel and using the red index point that is perset for {fraction (1/16)}″, see drawing # 111 page # 7,that setting will give you the proper toe-in when adjusted. Rejack steering axle and remove roller plates.
There are two units one for each side of the truck they are made using ½″×2″6061 aluminum bar and welded, together, the alignment pins made from 75 ST aluminum round bar. Machined one end to ¾″ with ⅜″ radius and ⅛″ shoulder that rest in the wheel radius to locate unit. The other end milled off flat and the two fixed pins have steel insert part # 651-04 threaded in the center and the other four pins have the steel insert located {fraction (3/16)}″ off center so they are adjustable, they are attached with ¼″ allen bolts. There is a chain that keeps them, from getting lost or damage. There are two sets of holes for the pins one is for 22.5″ size marked B on drawing, inner circle 11 {fraction (1/16)}″ radius, the other for the 24.5″ size marked A on drawing, outer circle 12 {fraction (1/16)}″ radius All dimension taken from location D at center of unit. For more information see material list below and the drawing # 101 sheet # 1.
C—on drawing 2 places 5 ½″ apart # 21 hole use a 10-32 tap and install 1″ socket set screws part # 101287 w/locknut. Adjust and tighten to secure level.
D—on drawing ¼″ hole using ¼″-20×2″ socket set screws into center hole in level using nylon locknut.
E—on drawing 1″ hole 6″ from top and bottom on center upright, ⅜″ threaded rod to hold unit onto wheel.
There are two units one for each side of the truck they are made using ½″×2″ 6061 aluminum bar stock and welded together, the alignment pins made from 75 ST aluminum 1″round bar stock. Machined one end to ¾″ with ⅜″ radius and ⅛″ shoulder that rest in the wheel radius to locate unit. The other end milled off flat and the two fixed pins has steel insert part # 651-04 threaded in the center for bottom and lower front pin to locate unit, the other four pins has the steel insert located {fraction (3/16)}″ off center so it is adjustable, all the pins are attached with ¼″ allen bolts. There is a chain that keeps them from getting lost or damage. There are two sets of holes for the pins, one is for 22.5″ size wheel “B” on drawing inter circle 11 {fraction (1/16)}″ radius marked red index on tooling, the other 24.5″ size wheel “A” on the drawing outer circle 12 {fraction (1/16)}″ radius marked black index on tooling.
“E” on drawing depict a 1″ hole 6″ from top and bottom of the upright, for the ⅜″ threaded rods to hold unit onto wheel.
FIGURE # 7 Depicts side view of unit
FIGURE # 8-8 The plate material ¼″×1 ½×7 ¼ 6061 aluminum bar stock, figure depicts steering axle driver side, other side opposite. Plate to hold scale, drill # 36 holes & tap with 6-32. Next weld them on with the end even with the inside of center upright. Install using 6-32×¾ socket head cap screw part # 011061 with flat washers & nylon locknuts. This is for the adjustment on the alignment units when in the jigs. The ⅛″ wide×⅜″ long grove line up with the screws and the 1″ mark begin there and the nos. go out to 7″. Scale on the other side is opposite. For more information see material list next and the drawing # 104 sheet # 4.
Drive Axle—jack the rear drive axle—rotating the wheel and checking bearings for condition and tightness. You will also check the brake drums making sure they are not rubbing or the brakes are not out of adjustment. Now check if there is wheel movement top to bottom or side to side. If so you must replace bearings or recalibrate. When everything checks out you lower the wheels onto the roller plates. Next you install the drive axle alignment units and attach them to both wheels Drawing # 116 Page # 10 shown on trailer axle same as on drive axle. The bottom and lower front pins are fixed to locate unit use the two threaded rods to hold the unit to the wheel, then rotate the other four pins to rest in wheel radius and tighten allen bolts in both units. Next using the ⅜″×¾″×36″ trammel point bar and the adjustable trammel only—place the one end of the bar to the out side of the rail and the trammel point on the index point on top of the top member of the tooling rear section locking it and checking the same place on the other side Drawing # 112 page # 7.If this is not the same you must add or remove shims from the transverse rod to frame racket to center axle on rails. Next turn laser light on both sides and light will be projected on the scale in the center of the steering axle tooling, if it is not the same number on both scales the drive axle will be adjusted to align up correctly. After this rejack and remove roller plates. If you have two drive axles then proceed to forward drive axle and complete in same manner. This unit made with {fraction (1/16)}″×1 ½″×1 ½″4130 steel tubing and ⅛″ steel plate see material list; Bottom section supporting a 7″ scale with {fraction (1/16)}″ graduation used for the alignment. These two scales have a index point at the 3″ mark that is used to calibrate the unit. To calibrate use the trammel point and bar ⅜″×¾″×108″, place one end on the 3″ mark the other on the index point at the red dot, top center of unit, then swing to other side and set on scale 3″ mark and adjust scale if required. This is calibrated with the king pin, it has two telescope legs that swing down and touch the ground. This holds the unit in place with the king pin, this plate is # 21 on the drawing # 118. Drawing # 119, depict the hinge for the top of the telescope leg on each side. Item # 24 figure #11 depict a {fraction (10/32)}×¾″ screw and ⅛″ rubber washer w/locknut. Item # 25 figure # 11 depict a “U” channel {fraction (1/16)}″×¾″×⅝″×¾″ long, 75 ST aluminum as part of the hinge, with {fraction (6/32)}×1″screw and ⅛″ rubber washer w/locknut. In both places the rubber washer works to stabilize the hinge movement. Some shops use the outside of trailer which can be incorrect if it is damage. The only true part is the king pin.
To align the trailer you would use the Drive Axle Alignment tooling part # 856-857 drawing # 101 sheet #1. Jack the rear axle rotating the wheel and checking bearing for condition and tightness. You will also check the brake drums making sure they are not rubbing or the brakes are not out of adjustment. Now check if there is wheel movement top- to bottom or side to side, if so you must replace the bearings or recalibrate then. When everything checks out you lower the wheels onto the roller plates, see drawing # 116 sheet # 9.Next you install the same tooling used for the drive axle alignment part # 856-857 attach them to both wheels, see drawing # 116 sheet # 9. Attach them to both wheels, the bottom and lower front pins are fixed to locate unit, use the two threaded rods to hold the units to the wheels, then rotate the other four pins to rest in wheel radius and tighten allen bolts in both units. Next turn laser light on both sides and light will be projected on the scales located on the king pin tooling, see drawing # 116 sheet # 9. If it is not the same number on both sides the axle will have to be adjusted to align up correctly. After this rejack and remove roller plates. If you have two axles then proceed to forward axle and repeat the same method again.
Material list;
Roller plates assembly part # 863 are used under all the wheels when making any adjustments during the alignment. The bottom plate is ¼″×14″×22″ steel plate with 9 blacks of 75 ST aluminum, ⅞″×2 ½″×2 ½″ with a 1 {fraction (3/16)}″ diameter hole in the center for the ball transfer unit # 30 MPC to be pressed into the block and it is attached to the bottom plate with # 10×32×1 ⅜″ flush head screw with locknuts. There are three rows, 3″ from each side and one row in the center. They are 5″ from the top and bottom with one row in the center. Each roller load capacity is 770 lbs. total of 6,930 lbs. for each assembly. The top plate is ⅜″×14″×22″ and it lays on the rollers so it will move without restriction. Drawing # 114 sheet # 8, drawing # 115 sheet # 8 depict the unit.
Tooling jig that calibrates the alignment units part # 865 Shown on drawing # 120 sheet # 12 with the alignment units installed using the threaded rods to hold in place. Turn laser lights on both sides, the light will be projected onto the scales on the steering axle tooling. If the light does not align to the same number on each side, adjust the scale to align to the proper number. Drawing # 121 sheet # 13 depicts how it is manufactured.
The jig part # 866 used to manufacture the alignment units for the drive axle part # 856/part # 857 see drawing # 122 sheet # 14. Steering axle part # 858/# 859 see drawing # 123 sheet # 14. The one jig is used for the four units. Material is ½″×24″×48″ steel plate, {fraction (3/32)}″×1 ½″×1 ½″ steel angle bolted on, and hold down clamps # DE-SAT-CO model # 207-UL with ¼″×1 ¼″ bolts with locknuts. After placing then in the jig, weld together and drill holes for the location pin, when completed remove form jig and mill surface where locator pins attach and where the laser light attach on the drive axle units.
