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Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: dsd on March 25, 2021, 06:13:34 pm

Title: Jacking front axle
Post by: dsd on March 25, 2021, 06:13:34 pm
Would like to know if it is acceptable or not to just unload the front tires by jacking in the center of the axle. This is to allow running the steering without power assist. I don't have a problem with jacking and blocking one side and jacking the other, but if it's okay to jack in the center it would save time. My gut feeling is no and I won't take a chance on damaging a axle unless is is acceptable. Didn't find any prior information on it.
Scott
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: craneman on March 25, 2021, 06:46:18 pm
I did it all the time on my crane but the axle is a 18,000 rating. Good question maybe a truck front end shop could give an answer. Our axles are not much different from OTR trucks.
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on March 25, 2021, 06:53:15 pm
I have 2 6 ton hydraulic jacks (stubby ones) that will fit under each end of the the front axle to raise the tires (one or both) off the ground. I think one jack in the middle would be very difficult to get perfectly balanced to lift both sides evenly.  Probably not a good idea.
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: dsd on March 25, 2021, 06:59:21 pm
I've master using a tape measure, well almost. Just trying to unload. Would prefer to use my remote handle air jack. Very low desire to jack one side up by hand
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: Olde English on March 25, 2021, 07:01:50 pm
Your front axle is essentially a drop forged " I " beam, you will not damage anything by jacking in the middle, a balanced raise might be a problem but that's it. IMHO.
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: Doug W. on March 25, 2021, 07:05:37 pm
Probably wouldn't hurt but that is the way they adjust camber on a straight axle by bending in the center.
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: TGordon on March 25, 2021, 07:16:43 pm
Quote from: dsd –
Would like to know if it is acceptable or not to just unload the front tires by jacking in the center of the axle. This is to allow running the steering without power assist. I don't have a problem with jacking and blocking one side and jacking the other, but if it's okay to jack in the center it would save time. My gut feeling is no and I won't take a chance on damaging a axle unless is is acceptable. Didn't find any prior information on it.
Scott


Tips-to-jack-up-commercial-truck,-tractor-or-trailer (https://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20170323/NEWS/170329976/tips-to-jack-up-commercial-truck-tractor-or-trailer)
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: dsd on March 25, 2021, 07:22:10 pm
Just found a 12 ton short stand. Will put it on a 5/8 steel plate and jack and set them jack other side. Problem resolved
Scott
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: craneman on March 25, 2021, 07:40:21 pm
Quote from: Doug W. –
Probably wouldn't hurt but that is the way they adjust camber on a straight axle by bending in the center.
By chaining the sides down though
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: Don & Tys on March 25, 2021, 09:38:00 pm
It is pretty hard to jack up one side of the coach on the front axle. I was going to do one side at a time and even though my  jack was close to a wheel, both front wheels of the coach came off the ground. :o
Don
Quote from: dsd –
I've master using a tape measure, well almost. Just trying to unload. Would prefer to use my remote handle air jack. Very low desire to jack one side up by hand
Title: Re: Jacking front axle
Post by: dsd on March 25, 2021, 10:15:46 pm
Quote from: Don & Tys –
It is pretty hard to jack up one side of the coach on the front axle. I was going to do one side at a time and even though my  jack was close to a wheel, both front wheels of the coach came off the ground. :o
Don
Well possibly overthinking this then. Will know tomorrow either way, got the screw jack stand cleaned and lubed and ready to work. The perches are 36 inches apart and the lower I beam is reinforced below perches. Center is thinner.
Thanks Don
Scott
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