How to Install a Bazooka Tube
A bazooka tube, or axle extension, is a tool for checking a tractor trailer's axle alignment. Proper axle alignment is crucial to ensuring safe truck driving conditions. The bazooka tube screws onto the end of a tractor-trailer's axle. The distance between the trailer's kingpin or hitch and the tip of the bazooka tube is measured. This procedure is repeated on the other side of the axle, and the measurements are compared to assess correct axle calibration, within an 1/8-inch window of allowable error.
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Instructions
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1
Determine whether the axle end of your tractor trailer is straight or tapered. Use a bazooka tube appropriate for your axle shape.
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2
Remove the hub cap from the axle end. If your trailer uses oiled hubs, be prepared to catch oil spilling from the inside of the hub once the cap is removed. Cover the hub cap with a rag to avoid dirt contaminating the hub when the cap is reinstalled.
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3
Screw the bazooka tube on the axle end by hand. Avoid cross-threading the tube.
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4
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each of your tractor trailer's axles when checking your trailer's alignment.
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References
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