Last Updated on 11/20/2023 by Glynn Willard



It might be a bent axle. But it might also be worn out shackles and bushings. Read on…

We genuinely thought we had a bent axle when our rear driver side tire kept wearing out on our Outdoors RV.

As we learned more about our bearings, suspension, brakes and axles, we realized it might not be the axle.

After replacing all of our bearings correctly with the help from our road hero, Steve, the wheels were still misaligned.

He suggested it might be the bushings and shackles on our MorRyde CRE 3000 suspension system.
 

Your axle misalignment might just be worn out bushings on your shackles.

 

Worn out bushings.

A picture of worn out bushings on the MorRyde CRE 3000.


 

An Overview Of The Steps To Replace MorRyde 3000 CRE

 

Old and New MorRyde CRE3000

The new and the old MorRyde CRE3000.


 

 
Check out the video on the whole process below.
 

 

Potential Causes Of Misaligned Wheels On A Trailer

 

  1. It could be bad or failing bearings that causes a misalignment.
  2.  

  3. Worn out bushings, shackles or leaf springs can cause a misalignment.
  4.  

  5. If any of the connection brackets on the frame are bent, you’ll experience a misalignment.
  6.  

  7. A bent axle will cause a misalignment.

 

What Steps To Determine If It’s A Bent Axle?

 
Upon Steve’s suggestion, we made an appointment to have the alignment checked. We did this even though we all agreed it was most likely the bushings.

The alignment shop took one look and with a few choice words about our suspension system, agreed it was likely the bushings.

Of course, they offered to upgrade the suspension at a high cost and then align the axles only if it still needed to be aligned.

I thanked them and said I would replace the MorRyde system myself.
 

Is It Easy To Replace The MorRyde CRE 3000?

 
As long as you have some basic tools, ability to jack the frame and 1-2 days free, most “mechanically inclined” individuals can do the job.

My number one suggestion is to bring a really big can of “patience” to this particular job.

So yes, you can likely do it yourself if you fit the criteria I just mentioned and you are very safety conscience.
 

What Parts To Order To Replace The MorRyde CRE 3000?

 
A few of the links below are affiliate links to help you identify the necessary parts. It also really helps us! Thank you!
 
The kit you order is dependent on the space between your axles. So make sure you have this information before placing your order.

The pictures below are affiliate links (doesn’t affect your price) and specific to our travel trailer. So make sure you select the size that corresponds with your RV.

Oh and the shackle kit has all the parts for both sides. I made the mistake of ordering two.
 

 

 

What Tools Did We Use To Replace The Trailer’s Suspension?

 

Tools needed

Tools used to change the MorRyde CRE3000 suspension system.


 
This is a long list of the tools we used. Some of the tools could be replaced with impact tools. But not everyone has an arsenal of high end tools.

You can see a list of the tools on our Gear page. These are affiliate links that help us maintain our production, so we really appreciate you using the affiliate links.
 

What Steps To Replace The MorRyde Suspension?

 
We focused on doing one side of the trailer at a time. The whole trailer was jacked on it’s frame before beginning.

Below are the steps we took to change the system safely.
 

  1. Safely jacking the frame is essential.
     
    We placed large wooden chocks under each corner with a jack stand on top.

    Then jacked each corner of the frame up, raised the jack stand and rested the corner on the stand one at a time. We did not go high enough to lift the wheels.

    Instead, we used two speed jacks to lift the axles high enough to pull the wheels off (reminder to loosen the lug nuts first) after placing the frame on jack stands. Then we used the speed jacks to manipulate each axle to make working on the shackles easier.

  2.  

  3. We set the speed jacks to raise the axle on the side being worked on just enough to ease the tension on the suspension system.
     
    It didn’t take much lift to eliminate the tension on the suspension.
  4.  

  5. We broke the torque on the wet bolts holding the shackles and leaf springs.
     
    Once the torque was broken and nuts removed, we pounded out the wet bolts holding the leaf springs, shackles and the CRE3000 “center piece.”
  6.  

  7. We began the process of removing the old bushings
     
    I’d like to say this was easy. Well it was for a few of the bushing, but others were real work! The video will give a good idea of the methods used.

    We had to resort to assembling a hack saw inside the leaf spring channel and cutting through some of the bushings that were corroded. It took time and patience.

  8.  

  9. We filed out any corrosion where the new wet bolts were to be placed.
     
    We used a round metal file to bore out the holes for the wet bolts just enough for the new bushing to fit. Some of the holes required a lot of filing. Some required no filing.
  10.  

  11. We inserted the new bushing supplied with MorRyde’s mounting kit.
     
    Once all the holes were bored with the file to the correct fit, we inserted the bushings.
  12.  

  13. The speed jacks were used to manipulate the leaf springs in an aligned position for the wet bolts.
     
    It took a little manipulation with the jacks, but ultimately, it was the best solution to easily install the wet bolts.
  14.  

  15. Once all the nuts were on the bolts, we torqued them.
     
    We torqued each wet bolt to 40 foot pounds of torque per MorRyde’s specifications.
  16.  

  17. Finally, we injected grease in each wet bolt until some came out the opposite side.
  18.  

  19. We raised the axles enough to reinstall each wheel.
     
    After installing the wheels, we lowered the axle and torqued each wheel to 115 foot pounds of torque per ORV’s specifications. After 50 miles we re-torqued each wheel.
  20.  

  21. We repeated all the steps on the opposite side of the trailer.
  22.  

  23. Lastly, we lowered each corner in the reverse direction that we raised the trailer one corner at a time.

 

Why Is Steve, The Road Hero An Expert?

 
Steve spent over two decades maintaining the F-111 for the US Air Force.

He then spent another two decades preparing some of the systems used in the maintenance of the aircraft. And when it comes to aeronautical maintenance, there’s no room for error.

He treats every machine he operates and touches in as meticulous a manner as he would an aircraft.

Bottom line, we trust his knowledge.
 

New system

The New MorRyde CRE 3000.


 

What Preventative Maintenance Will We Do Going Forward?

 
First, we will we periodically check the alignment of the wheels with a straight edge. I’ll explain that method below.

Second, I will grease the Zerk fittings on the wet bolts periodically. More if we’re off road a lot and less if it’s mostly smooth highway driving. Overkill won’t do any damage.

And last, I’ll make sure the wet bolts maintain 40 foot pounds of torque.

During these steps, it’s easy to do a visual inspection of the whole system.
 

How Can You Check The Axle Alignment On Your Travel Trailer Yourself?

 
See the video for a more detailed explanation
 
This applies to trailers with more than one axle. Use a straight edge that reaches the edge of all the tires.

Line the edge up so that it crosses the center of the hub cover and runs along the outer sidewall of both tires.

If it makes contact with all four sidewalls and does not rock back and forth, your tires are in alignment.

But if it rocks and moves more than an 8th of an inch, you may have an alignment issue.

If you have a misalignment, start with a bearing check. Then check or replace the bushings. If neither fix the problem, then take it to a specialist.

 
If you take anything from this article, please stay on top of the maintenance of your trailers suspension system.

Happy and safe travels!
 
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