The Bee Line 22000 Rear Axle Aligner allows users to accurately position the rear axles perpendicular to the vehicle’s centerline so the wheels travel in a straight line. The user-friendly construction allows novices to set up the Rear Axle Aligner, and one person can take all necessary measurements in a few minutes, the company says. The unit calibrates reliably and quickly to assure consistent accuracy with no added expense or service fee. The wheel cradles weigh less than 20 lbs, and the rear beam weighs 10 lbs. A long life ni-cad battery powers the laser for up to 20 hours before recharging. This unit does not require access to AC power.
The review
A properly aligned truck offers better tire performance and fuel economy, and the key to a good alignment is an effective alignment system. Chris Meyer, owner and operator of Meyer Truck and Alignment, appreciated that the Bee Line 22000 Rear Axle Aligner is accurate and easy to use.
“It’s kind of an easy check,” Meyer says. “It’s easy to read. With the computer plugged in, it tells you basically where you’re at and what you need to do.”
Meyer’s shop performs alignments on primarily class 8 trucks and trailers, but the system is also equipped to perform alignments on medium duty and even light duty if needed. “We’re more on the heavy duty side of the system,” Meyer says. “We use it to align just the truck, and the truck and trailer as a unit. With trailers, we can correct dog-tracking and irregular tire were. On the tractor, it’s mostly preventive maintenance or performing an alignment after rear suspension repairs.”
The unit is very simple to use, he says. Although he’s had the Bee Line system less than a year, he’s already confident enough to train someone else to use the system. “I feel confident that anyone with the proper training can operate [this system] successfully,” he adds.
Standout features of this system are a quick glance feature that allows technicians to tell at a glance when they are in range, and the ease of calibration.
“With the quick glance feature, the light goes from blinking on the target to solid, and that tells you that you’re in,” Meyer says. “Then you can go to the computer and double check, but it’s kind of a nice quick feature when you’re gauging it out.”
Calibration is equally quick and easy. It’s a relatively simple process, he notes, and there is no need to have anyone come in to calibrate. “The technician can calibrate it himself,” he says. “To calibrate the rear alignment system takes less than 15 minutes.”
Meyer has been doing alignments for “a long time,” and the Bee Line system’s computerization is an upgrade from the mechanical system he used previously. “You can actually do computer printouts, which is nice because that’s what people want. They want to see what [the alignment] was and what it is. So that’s a nice feature.”
He notes that although his system is set up with a computer, the Rear Axle Aligner also allows users to perform alignments without the computer if needed. It offers mechanical gauges as well, so if anything goes amiss with the computer system, technicians can still perform manual calibrations.
For Meyer, an important factor when choosing this alignment system over others was that this system is made in America. “The quality is very good,” he says. “Everything seems to be well made, and it seems like it’s more of a tool than in instrument. It holds up nice.”
His experience with Bee Line’s customer service whenever he’s had a question about the system has been excellent as well. “I’ve been in contact with Bee Line on a few different things. Whenever I’ve had an issue or something I didn’t know, their customer service was way good. They’re always there to give you good information, and if they didn’t know, they would find out and get right back to you. It’s been a good relationship.”
Overall, Meyer is satisfied with his purchase. “It’s a very good system, as far as knowing if it’s calibrated or not, and being able to calibrate. It’s at the top of the list. It was a good purchase,” he concludes.
