IMPORTANT NOTE
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The
Axle•Less
suspension provides many advantages
and permits many innovative designs for trailers. There is no
thru axle and therefore the two sides of suspension are
completely independent. The absence of an axle tube,
however, means there will need to be comparable
strengthening of the trailer frame, especially at the areas where
the suspension is installed. The function of a regular axle as a
structural member must be compensated by strengthening /
reinforcing the trailer frame itself to prevent excessive bending
or twisting of the frame. At the very least this should mean that
the top plate of the suspension frame bracket be fully supported
and firmly fastened (bolted/welded) to robust cross members
of the frame or to the inboard extension of the frame rail itself or
both. Timbren will not be responsible for damage caused by
(1)
insufficient strengthening of the frame .
Use extra caution in case you need to disassemble the
suspension; be aware that both Aeon rubber springs (Jounce
and Rebound) are factory pre-loaded.
Axle•Less
suspensions are NOT recommended for tri-
axle applications.
1.
Install outboard arm on control arm using 4 bolts and
washers and shims as required (verify that bolts are grade
8). Fig. 1 shows what the right hand side should look like;
the left hand side is the mirror image. Torque fasteners to
90-95 ft-lbs (122-129 N.m). Skip this section if outboard
arm is factory pre-assembled.
Procedure
:
Page 1
Installation Instructions
Procedure
:
(Cont.)
3.
Locate the left hand and right hand side hangers on
frame rails, opposite to each other. Move hangers along
frame until center of spindles line up with marks on the frame
rails, viewing from top (fig. 2). Clamp hangers to frame.
Measure and compare distances “A” and “B”. Reposition
hangers until the difference between “A” and “B”
measurements is less than 1/8” (3 mm).
4.
Be aware that the suspension has factory toe-in angles
built in. The correct alignment can be obtained ONLY if
frame and its crossmembers or mounting surfaces to the
suspension are perfectly square and they are sufficiently
strong to remain square under maximum loads. Slight
camber adjustments and corrections may be necessary by
using the shims between the outboard arm and control arm
before tightening the 4 bolts.
Fig. 2
Spindle Alignment (View from the top)
2. Make sure frame is perfectly square. Measure and
compare the diagonal distances from one corner of
frame to the opposite corner. Also measure and compare
the distances from the hitch to each rear corner of frame.
Ideally the measurements are identical (in each case the
difference should be less than 1/8” (3 mm).
Mark frame rails where centerline of spindles (wheels)
(2)
should cross frame (fig. 2) .
(1) To add rigidity to the trailer frame structure we recommend using rectangular-shape or fabricated box-form steel sections combined with crossmembers of larger
sizes; ultimately it will be the trailer manufacturer's responsibility to make sure that the frame is strong enough to be used with the AxleLess suspension.
(2) Be aware that the driver side and passenger sides have their own factory built-in camber and toe-in angles and therefore the two spindles do not need to be
exactly parallel.
Control Arm
Hitch
Frame Rail
A=B
Frame Rail
Front
of
Trailer
A
B
Centerline of trailer
Left hand side
Right hand side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y=Y
Mark Frame Rails
Hub Face
Hub Face
TIMBREN INDUSTRIES INC. - 1-800-263-3113 - [email protected]
Fig. 1 :
outboard arm
to control arm
(Right hand side)
Assembly of
Front
Hanger
Outboard Arm
Alignment
Shim
Typical Installation
