W900 clunks when NOT moving

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by amddmd, Apr 2, 2014.

  1. amddmd

    amddmd Bobtail Member

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    Apr 2, 2014
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    Hey everyone, my husband and I are trying to figure out a noise we just started hearing. 01 w900 makes a clunking noise in back from outside when NOT moving. It's very loud and the whole cab shakes when it happens. My husband recently stopped hauling logs and what it feels like, is that someone is unloading logs but, doesn't shake as bad as it did when getting unloaded. When driving, the truck will pull to one side (usually driver side) really fast, not like a slow pull from an alignment issue. This started right before the clunking noise. Just replaced king pins and tie rod assembly and front wheel bearings. This all started days after the work was done. We do know the bushing in the back need replaced (I'm not sure which bushings as I wasn't there when this was brought up) I tell him it needs looked at ASAP. Anyone know what this is or had this problem? I can't sleep from the noise and shaking.
     
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  3. catalinaflyer

    catalinaflyer Road Train Member

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    Sounds like the rear bushings may be shot and probably binding because of the pulling issue. As the truck settles once parked they bind until they break loose and as such shake the truck pretty good. This likely is the cause of the severe pulling as it's allowing the axles to get out of alignment which is dangerous as all get out. On top of the binding causing the clunking it's also destroying your tires, killing fuel mileage and making it ride bad.

    Another possible cause but less likely because of the pulling issue, is the trailer your pulling air ride? If so and it leaks down or automatically dumps when the parking brake is set it could be pushing against the truck and occasionally the brakes slip which will make a pretty good clunk and jerk the truck ahead.
     
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  4. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    I would second the idea about an air leak. Are you dumping pressure while parked? It could be the brakes scooting, or even the cab air bags hitting bottom.
     
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  5. amddmd

    amddmd Bobtail Member

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    Apr 2, 2014
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    I told my husband what you said could be it, he agreed with you. He said the rear bushings are bad and is getting them fixed Friday. He also said he does have a small air leak but, said it's not very bad. He did say that this problem never happened with any other trailer until he started using this one. All I know about the trailer is that it's a thermo king refer. It's not new and the people we bought it from said it sat for years after rebuilding the motor. Only thing we've done to do to the trailer is replace tires and lights since some were missing. Could the air leak be enough to cause that or would it most likely be the bushings? He doesn't know if the air leak is bad enough to be the problem. After sitting for about 2 hours last night, the shaking wasn't as bad and the clunking wasn't as loud and I was able to fall asleep without being woken up.
     
  6. Alaska76

    Alaska76 Road Train Member

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    Also, consider it may be a combination of the two doubling, or exacerbating the issue. Get them both repaired!
     
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  7. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    You want to fix that air leak anyhow so he does not get put out of service by DOT
     
  8. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    Air ride valve may be jacking up when you park, then slack in 5th wheel is making bang when it goes back down, old trailers 5th pins wear out and even a good 5th wheel will have slack in it time you get to sleep in bunk bang goes, get a light and look at air bag on truck an trailer to see if ride hi. is jacked up?
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2014
  9. amddmd

    amddmd Bobtail Member

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    Ok so we have ruled the truck out for the cause of the clunking. While standing outside the truck we heard a loud bang from the rear of the trailer. Sounded just like the noise we hear in the cab. It shakes the truck when it happens still. A few days ago we heard what sounded like a very large air leak from the back of the trailer but couldn't find a cause for it but, later that day when checking it out we didn't hear any air leaking. Any ideas of what could be the issue with the trailer? We are taking the trailer to a shop this weekend but, we would still like to hear any ideas of what the problem could be.
     
  10. dude6710

    dude6710 Road Train Member

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    Don't set the trailer brakes or dump the bags. Sounds like it might be the brakes giving because when your bags deflate the truck needs to move. Somehow the truck gets longer or shorter when the bags dump.

    the air sound sounds like the trailer re leveling after the parking brakes gave a little.
     
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