Axle wont slide

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Grumppy, Jan 27, 2014.

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  1. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Actually, calling the guys that came out is an option that I had considered for in the morning but I was hoping to get started before they open in the morning. However, it looks as though thats going to be my only option at this point. Just ask them if they were through with it, did they actually get it to move, how they got it to move & why they left it unlocked/pins not engaged.

    It could be that they aren't through with it yet, but, I cant understand why they didn't take the trailer if it wasn't fixed.... and fix it. My people indicated that the trailer was ready to go. They even loaded it for me to leave in the morning. So, I was just hoping for some lucky response that would get me going early. i was just hoping that there was a safety latch or something that I had never heard of. Just something I had missed.

    Its a good possibility that its jammed or bent or broken etc. I briefly looked at the rails underneath but I admit I didn't get under there & crawl around. However, in general/basic looking. I dont see anything out of place or broken etc, which is what I was looking for.

    I also agree that it could be rusted & froze up, but, if they were able to move it 12 - 18 inches forward, I should have been able to get it to move some kinda way with all the pushing & binding up that I did... both loaded & unloaded & pushing against things.

    I don't know. I just just hoping for a lucky answer that I have over looked something like a safety latch etc that could get me going. I've never seen a trailer with any kinda safety latch etc but that doesn't mean they don't... I just don't know about it.
     
    Grumppy, Jan 27, 2014
    #11
  2. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Any chance of an interlock with the trailer air? As-in slider won't move unless the trailer air is released? I know you already been over it a hundred times and maybe it's a stupid idea. I know you said it was a manual release. Just throwing that out there since one of my trailers with air release pins won't keep the pins out unless you pull the trailer air first. Maybe there's some sort of safety or the rails bind if the trailer is aired up. That said, I've never had one with that type of slider so no idea. The trailer I pull all the time has a manual release and it slides any time the pins are released.

    The fun part about talking to the shop will be it was something simple. At least that's how it would work out if it were me in your shoes LOL. Either that or they'll come out and just pull the lever to make the axles slide easy, then look at you like you're crazy or something.
     
    RedForeman, Jan 27, 2014
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  3. truckon

    truckon Swamp Thing

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    The fact that it is slid partway says that the mechanics also had trouble with it, sounds like there was miscommunication between them and your company.
     
    truckon, Jan 27, 2014
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  4. KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

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    That thought crossed my mind as well.
    Especially since they only moved it 12-18" forward, and then left it in an unlocked "between the pins/hole" position.
    Very careless on the mechanics part. I'd never leave a trailer's slider disengaged, for obvious safety reasons.
    Yep, and I do know it's the driver's responsibility to check first, before moving the trailer.
     
    KW Cajun, Jan 27, 2014
    #14
  5. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Well something is obviously tweaked wrong there. I've had many a stubborn set of tandems, but I always managed to get them to break loose. I'm thinking that possibly the trailer frame itself may be tweaked out of square. Any sign of recent repairs to the floor/sides/roof? How about cross members and frame, how do they look?

    Sounds like whatever it is, will be a shop job.
     
    Big Don, Jan 27, 2014
    #15
  6. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Just an old trailer.. No air anything on here that I am aware of.... other than air bags. But I agree, its gotta be something, that I am not aware of. I appreciate your thoughts/ideas.

    and this is what my brother & I went over today... He had 37 years in a big truck.... and yes, my luck is just like yours I am sure. It'll be something to make a liar out of me or something very simple to make me look stupid. I am just glad to get some input here..... as most of the things you guys have mentioned, I have either though of or tried, so I know at least I have the majority of things covered.

    I agree... and the fact they left the axles unlocked & the pins dont match the holes, indicates that they couldn't fix it on the spot & just left it.... Its a good possibility. Thanks for your input...
     
    Grumppy, Jan 27, 2014
    #16
  7. tator1960

    tator1960 Light Load Member

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    Dump the air ride and spray penetrating oil down the slides like PB Blaster.
     
    tator1960, Jan 27, 2014
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  8. hammer360

    hammer360 Bobtail Member

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    Liquid dish soap will work wonders and wont make a mess.....Squirt it all along the rail.....
     
    hammer360, Jan 27, 2014
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  9. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Yep..done this many times. Used to keep a large bottle in the cab just for this application....also a spray can of WD-40 works well too.
     
    Tonythetruckerdude, Jan 28, 2014
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  10. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Update:

    Ok, got to work this morning & tried sliding the axles again just to see what happens. Again, nothing. Got one of the guys out of the plant to come out & help me. we blocked the wheels again just to see what happens with that. After pushing a couple of times, it finally started to slide. We finally got it up to where I think I can get to the scales & see where I am. Its still really hard to move though because of rust etc.

    Thanks for everyone's input. Although it worked this time, its not anything I hadn't tried before. As Redforeman said... It just needed it to make an idiot out of me before it would give in.

    Again, thanks. I appreciate everyone's courteous input & advise.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2014
    Grumppy, Jan 28, 2014
    #20
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