About
Axletrac Alignment Tools Inc was established in 2012 for the expressed purpose of providing a durable, accurate, and affordable axle/wheel alignment system to the trucking industry. Combining proven old school methods with a patented new tool design, this time-saving device benefits all semi-trailer and truck repair shops, tire dealers, and trucking companies.
The Axletrac system also helps keep the planet green. A properly aligned axle creates less roll resistance, which equates to less fuel consumption and longer tire life.
Patented Axletrac Alignment Tools
The patented Axletrac Alignment Tools are designed to assist in the axle alignment process of both semi-trailers and large heavy-duty trucks. The Axletrac tools are used to extend the axle ends to a position beyond the outside of the tires to allow the user to take measurements without removing the outer tires. Normally the measurements originate from either the kingpin, kingpin extension, or other axles. The Axletrac tool attaches to the wheel studs of the hub so there is never a need to remove hub caps, tire inflation systems, or hubodometers when checking semi-trailer alignments. Because the Axletrac tool attaches to the nearly indestructible wheel studs and not the easily damaged outer wheel rims, you’ll never need to worry about accuracy.
The Axletrac Alignment Tool consists of 4 extension tubes (2 for each side of the axle) and 2 span bars (one for each side of the axle). The extension tubes have interior threads cut .75” deep. To install the tool, simply screw the tubes onto the wheel studs at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock wheel stud positions and insert the span bar into the open ends of the extension tubes.
ATHD-200 KIT
Wheel stud compatibility
The Axletrac Alignment Tool can be used on any heavy-duty truck or semi-trailer equipped with hub piloted/unimount style hubs. Most class 7 and larger trucks/tractors and trailers manufactured since the mid-1990s are equipped with this configuration. The Axletrac Tool is not compatible with any other style hub/wheel stud arrangement, such as stud piloted/Budd hubs.
By far the most common hub piloted hub stud arrangement is the ten-stud version with a 285.75mm/11.25” bolt circle. Occasionally, an eight stud 275mm/10.826” bolt circle hub piloted hub is encountered and will require a separate pair of span bar tools. The Axletrac extension tubes are compatible with either hole center diameter as both have 22mm x 1.5 stud threads.
Metal Plumb Bars
Specialty tools to assist with the tractor trailer alignment process are available from Axletrac. Some trailers are manufactured where there may not be a clear line of sight from the king pin extender, such as a pogo stick, to the Axletrac Alignment Tool reference pins to take the measurement. A simple plumb bar pointer can be installed onto the index pin of the span bar that will transfer the axle end position downward below any obstruction such as air deflection wings or tall outer main rails on low boy equipment trailers. The plumb bar pointers have 4 different installation holes to accommodate different spindle heights due to different tire sizes.
Tension Meter
When taking measurements from the king pin or the king pin extender to the Axletrac axle extenders, a 50’ to 100’ measuring tape with preferably 1/16” gradients is normally used. It is important to place the same amount of tension on each side when stretching the tape to take measurements. Axletrac Alignment tools offer a simple yet necessary device referred to as a tension meter. Simply pinch the tape measure between two plates by tightening a grip knob. Attach the tension meter to the rear most end of the pinch plates and gently pull to apply 6-7 pounds of tension pressure. This will assure that the technician applies equal pull pressure on the measuring tape to achieve the most accurate semi trailer axle alignment possible.
Perfect for trucking companies and repair shops of every size
With the price of fuel and tires skyrocketing, the Axletrac Alignment Tool is an affordable necessity for every truck and trailer repair service center regardless of size. Large or small trucking companies, even owner-operators can benefit by checking their alignments more often. The actual alignment process may be more intensive than small shops want to tackle, but why pay for an alignment if your tire wear is not an alignment problem? Shops that perform alignments benefit simply from time saved. By using the Axletrac Alignment Tool, you’ll get pinpoint accuracy every time.
Thorough development and testing process
During the development stage, the patented Axletrac Alignment Tool was installed on a variety of semi-trailers at 500 different wheel stud positions to ensure accuracy. The average run out or wobble of the alignment pin after rotating the tire/wheel assemblies 180 degrees was less than 1mm, or .0362”. That figure is diminished even more when considering the fact that measurements were taken approximately 12 inches further out than the actual axle end.
Satisfied that the tool was extremely accurate, a large trailer repair shop was given the tool to test on customer trailers. After three years and approximately 250 alignments, the only rework needed was when a technician misread his tape by one inch. Only after this rigorous testing process was the tool considered ready to market.
Built to last
Axletrac Alignment Tools are made to withstand the rigorous use and abuse that all shop tools eventually receive after the newness wears off. The extension tubes are made of 1 ¼” steel tubing with 7/32” wall thickness and the span bars are made of 11 ga, 2” x 1” rectangle tubing with ¾” diameter aligning pins. This tool can take almost anything you and your technicians can dish out. The Axletrac tools are coated with black oxide to protect against rust and to maintain their appearance after years of use. This truly is the last set of axle extenders you’ll ever need.
