axle alignment ?????

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by itswrongway, Apr 1, 2015.

  1. itswrongway

    itswrongway Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2006
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    2013 cascadia 315800 miles on it . its on the 2nd set of drive tires and 3rd set of steer tires . the steering is pulling to the right and the steer tires are 2 months old the right steer tire is starting to wear and cup on the outside edge the left tire is wearing and starting to cup on the inside edge . correct me if I am wrong but doesn't that mean my rear axles are out of line and pushing the back of the truck to the left ?? I believe if it was a toe problem both outside or inside edges would be wearing am I right ?????????? thanks
     
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  3. ipogsd

    ipogsd Heavy Load Member

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    Your truck or company?
     
  4. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    your steers are wearing becuase the steers are pulling to one side while you hold the steering in the opposite side.

    in other words. the steers aren't going down the road STRAIGHT. swap the steers side to side and the truck will pull to the opposite side. that's called radial tire pull.

    in order to do an proper alignment. you need all 4 drive axle bears tightened. THEN, align all 3 axles. it's preventive maint. to check bearing play in the drive axles. steers also.

    in order to fix the pulling problem. you need a new tire.

    you could also have possible kingpin problems. causing a worn our suspension on the steers.
     
    safeyankee, BoxCarKidd and mhyn Thank this.
  5. itswrongway

    itswrongway Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2006
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    yes its my truck . I have a problem with the lights to but that's another issue
     
  6. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I have a truck in with the same problem and planned to check out snowwy's radial tire pull thanking but did not get around to it. Already had new tires in due to tire wear. However thanks for comment on rear wheel brg. adj., always check the front and find many loose, never taught or thought to check the rears. Yes rear axle alignment can also cause the truck to pull. If the center line through the drive axles is closer together on one side than the other the truck will turn to that side the same as an articulated loader. If the drives are on the same center line, paralel, but right angle from the center aligns 2 inches to the left of the center of the steer axle it will pull to the left. There are other things that can cause directional pull but I believe tires and rear axle alignment are the major concerns.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2015
  7. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I got back to it today and spent a little personal time on it. This truck did exactly as Snowwy outlined and his shared knowledge will save me from some unnecessary rear alignments. Good luck with yours itswrongway and thanks Snowwy. BKK out.
     
  8. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    i was a auto mechanic for 12 years. it was pretty common to have a car come in with tire pull. some people let it get so bad, the car could steer itself around a light pole on it's own.
     
  9. Starboyjim

    Starboyjim Road Train Member

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    I thought Snowwy said tighten "all 4 drive axle bears" (new to me) then get the 3 axle alignment? I got the 3 axle alighment with my new steers and shocks, Allied Tire in Joplin, MO, an excellent shop. '08 Columbia, smooth as glass since then, 6 months in. Best.
     
  10. Lockjaw1217

    Lockjaw1217 Bobtail Member

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    What is set three wheel alignment mean all axles or just steer axle plz im helping a friend its a small company he put a truck in a shop after a accident not his fault but they charged crazy like .camber steer to spec,center wheel position,and square differential with frame had a seprate charges for all they also charged for a tie rod kit but also billed us for straightening the tie rod axle also but the kit from volvo had a new one with it and outer tie rods sounds like we was screwed over plz anything to help us figure out what to do ins. Only wants to fix 1 spring and 2 ubolts but it bent both front spring sgoushouldnt the ins pay for all to be replaced
     
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