Airstream REI Co-op Special Edition, Owner'S Manual

Page: 71 / 90

Maintenance
2023 REI Special Edition
8-9
Hitting chuck holes or rough railroad tracks while
traveling straight will only cause misalignment after
the tire has struck such objects many times. Of
course, a deep enough hole can affect the alignment
immediately. The worse culprit is a curb because they
are normally struck at an angle. Axles are occasionally
damaged when people are attempting to park beside a
curb while backing up their trailer.
The trailer axle(s) is bent upward in the middle. This
bend is normal and is how the camber is obtained.
Also, toe-in is built into the axle by very slight bends in
the axle tube on each end.
Tire wear indicates misalignment. Check with your
dealer for the nearest location having the proper
equipment to correct the trailer’s alignment.
NOTE
Never allow heat to be applied to the axle tube
because the rubber providing the spring torsion
action will be severely damaged.
Rubber Torsion Axle Alignment Specifications
Toe-In and Camber Specifications
Toe-In each side 1/16 in. Tolerance 1/8 in. + or -
Camber each side 3/4
degrees positive
Tolerance 3/4 d
or -
Wheel Bearing Maintenance
8� Jack trailer at marked jack location pad behind axle
on mainframe,
9� Remove hubcap or spindle cover, wheel and tire.
10� Remove cotter pin.
11� Remove dust cap.
12� Remove spindle nut and washer.
13� Remove bearings and hub.
14� Lay down hub with inside grease seal down. Knock
out inner bearing and grease seal using wood or
plastic dowel and hammer.
15� Clean all parts thoroughly with kerosene.
16� Check all bearings and races for chips or
roughness of any kind. Any damaged component
must be replaced.
17� Pack bearing with a good grease (No 2 grade-265
ASTM penetration or equivalent).
18� Install inner bearing.
19� Install new grease seal in hub or rotor using
wooden or rawhide mallet.
20� Install hub and drum on spindle.
21� Install outer bearing.
22� Install washer and spindle nut.
23� While rotating the wheel, tighten the spindle nut
with a 12” wrench until there is a slight tension.
Then back off one notch and install cotter pin.
There should now be from .001” to .010” end play
in hub. If not, back off one notch.
24� Check the lug nuts for tightness at 5, 25 and 50
miles of travel. For torque specifications, see
Specifications on page 4-3�
When packing bearings by hand, place a glob of
grease in the palm of one hand and push the large end
of the bearing down into the grease. Keep turning the
bearing around and forcing it down through the grease
until the grease is extruded up through the opposite
end. Wipe the extra grease in your hand around the
outside of the bearing. It is not necessary to fill the hub
and dust cap with grease.
Brakes
Due to normal brake lining wear, the brakes and the
controller setting should be checked every six months
or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Breakaway Switch
1� Pin
2�
Breakaway Switch
To prevent corrosion within the breakaway switch, pull
the pin out and spray the inside of the switch through
the hole with an electric contact cleaner (such as Spra-
Kleen). Applying a drop of light household oil on the pin
and the groove near the base of the pin will allow the
pin to operate freely. Immediately reinsert pin. Perform
this procedure every 90 days.
CAUTION
Allow no more than 20 to 30 seconds pin
separation as damage to brake magnets may
occur.