Tag Axle on MCI-9

[Iver]

Just curious as to how much weight should be on the tags with the coach sitting flat and level.  The bags on the steering and drives are all up.

The tires on the tags don't seem to have much weight on them.  Fully round, not slightly flat on the bottom like the steering tires. 
   Normal?  Not normal?
Thanks,  Iver

[JackConrad]

Iver,
   Make sure the tag axle airbag valves are on.  Are the tag axle airbags hard when you try to push them with your hand?  Another way to tell is to feel the tires after a drive. The tires should be warm. Another possibility is that the tag axle bushings are froze up.
   One of our tag axles was partially froze up with limited movement.  A lot of grease and driving over some blocks of wood freed it up.
   MCI says a maximum of 6000#. When we weighed our MC-8 on a CAT scale at a truck stop, we had 4000# on our tag axle.  Jack

[Iver]

Thanks Jack
         I'll do some checking.  What about backing up the tags on small blocks?
       Iver.

[JackConrad]

Thanks Jack
         I'll do some checking.  What about backing up the tags on small blocks?
       Iver.

That should work. After a through grease job (may take several tubes), any driving that works the tags up & down.  There are 4 zerks on each side. 2 on the center tube and 2 on the clamp that keeps the axle in the tube.  The middle of the center tube is blocked off, so grease can only fill the area around the axle.  Jack

[junkman42]

Jack, does My mc7 have more than 1 grease fitting on each tag?  I can only find 1 on top of the housing between the tag and drive wheel!  Didn't mean to hijack the thread.  I have a manual and can not determine what goes from it.  Thanks,John H