How to check Tag Axle on MC8?

[ChuckMC8]

Hey Guys- My MC8 Tag axle tire (drivers side) has misalignment wearing of the tread- more wear on the inside of the tread with 'feathering' wear toward the outside. I called the reccomended alignment shop in Atlanta and for $300 the'll align the front (which appears OK) and the tag axle. (Curb tag tire is wearing OK also)
  So........here's da question: How can I check to tell if I have a bushing problem or somethng else b4 I take it to the alignment shop and the guy tells me that its a wear problem and needs something replaced? (then bring it back for more alignment and $$$)
  On the other hand, I dont want to go to a boatload of trouble to take it apart and visually check the components of all it needs is adjusting.
Anyone with experience with tag axle alignment or woes?

[Ednj]

Get yourself a long pry bar or shale bar.
Jack up the tag.
Jam the bar behind the tag wheel and against the drive wheel, see if you have side to side movement.
Well it's a start.

[tekebird]

same thing as Ed sad but pry bar between ground and tire will do it too...or maybe give a different Feel/look

[ol713]

AS I recall, the tag axel has no adjustment.
If something is loose, then it is a bushing or
bearing problem.  As recomended, the pry bar
method is the best tool for trouble shooting.
                       Good luck,  Merle.

[tekebird]

I know where some new tag arms are if those are needed

[Sojourner]

All above mention is good but need to relieve air pressure from rolling lobe bag before crow bar test. There is a dump air valve in right (entrance door) side compartment behind tag wheel fender.

Another way to tell is to have someone to watch tag wheel to go over 2x4 across it path...tag will stop & over & drop with lateral movement unrelated to dual wheel mean worn tag bearing tube #7 and possible worn axle assy. #2

Just hope your "Axle Assy" spindle that go into bushing not worn badly. Or start looking for one...Nimco.com (used) or Tekebird suggestion.

Jack Conrad might chime in to share his input of replacement experience.

FWIW

Wish you well.

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[JackConrad]

    We had a similar tire wear problem. I had Jerry (Sojourner)watch as I slowly moved bus forward & back. When I applied brakes, he could see play in tag wheel movement. We then put a long bar through a wheel hole and wedged the bar against the brake drum. Pulling & pushing on the end of the bar showed movement in the tag axle. 
    Our problem turned out to be a broken tag axle shaft that rides in the bushing. After removal, inspection showed that it had been broken and a repair attempted by welding the 2 parts together. I found an old Walker Coach chassis with a tag axle assembly for parts.
    For used parts, you might try Sam Caylor, Luke at US Coach, or Nick at Nimco.  International Bus & Parts sell re-manufactured parts.
    Bushings cannot be removed and re-used, but new ones are available from Luke and MCI.  New bushing should be stored in a freezer before installation. After  honing the cross-over tube to remove any burrs that occurred during removal of the old bushing, quickly remove bushing from freezer, align in cross-over tube, place an oak block against the end and drive in place with a big hammer.  Hope this helps, Jack

[edroelle]

Tag axles can be aligned.  You actually add or subtract shims and bend axle slightly.

After I changed my whole tag axle asm. with one from NIMCO, I took my MCI 8,  80 miles to an alignment shop that said they could align.  However, their automated Hunter alignment machine was not capable to align the rear.

I ended-up buying a couple of inexpensive laser levels, made some crude tools, and marked the floor of the barn to set the toe relative to the front wheels.  Very time consuming.  BTW, it came down to some trial and error because mathematically computing the shim thickness, only got me close.

Chuck, you are right to check the wear before dishing out the $300.  Previous posts from Jack, Jerry and others, gave good techniques.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI