W900L excessive hood shake

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by oneperfectrun, Jan 14, 2015.

  1. oneperfectrun

    oneperfectrun Light Load Member

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    Dec 18, 2010
    Fulton, MS
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    I have a 2003 W900L with way more hood shake than it should have, to the point it's driving me nuts trying to stop it. I have replaced bushings, all of the pivot hardware, and guides where the hood rests. I had a couple cracks in the underhood braces but I've repaired those. It also has a squeak at times when it's shaking that's about to make me pull my hair out.

    Any of you guys have any ideas on something I'm overlooking?

    I'll try and post some video a little later.
     
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  3. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    When was the last time the tires were balanced? How old are the front shocks? When & if you have the tires balanced, check the rims to see if they are bent. Also check spring bushings, heck, just look at everything while you are under there!!
     
  4. oneperfectrun

    oneperfectrun Light Load Member

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    Dec 18, 2010
    Fulton, MS
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    All that stuff is in good shape. No vibrations or anything and very little hood shake at road speed. The hood is shaking from side to side at slower speeds like crossing rough rr tracks and rough spots on streets. Also when easing around rough lots. This is somwhere in the hood or bracing itself but it just cannot find the spot(s) that are letting it shake. I'm pretty sure it's up around the grille but I'm overlooking something somewhere.
     
  5. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    OK, that's an easy fix, stay on the smooth roads! lol How about the rubber straps that hold the hood down? Stretched out? Any kind of adjustment there?
     
  6. oneperfectrun

    oneperfectrun Light Load Member

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    Dec 18, 2010
    Fulton, MS
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    Lol I'm all for staying on the smooth roads. Yes rubber hold straps are new. Everything but the hood itself is new at this point. I did find the squeaking a little bit ago. It was the steel bracket that the bottom of grille bolts to. It runs across bottom from pivot to pivot. It was rubbing against the fiberglass just enough to squeak. Made an adjustment there. I've still got something going on with the bracing or stiffener support. Just havn't been able to see where it's giving at.

    The roads I run regularly are actually pretty good until I cross the state line and get on those Memphis city streets. That's where the hood really starts it's shaking.
     
  7. Dakota Dave

    Dakota Dave Bobtail Member

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    Had a 2002 with same problem. ..I put a few washer on Mount pegs and problem went away. .cost about 5 bucks
     
  8. oneperfectrun

    oneperfectrun Light Load Member

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    Dec 18, 2010
    Fulton, MS
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    Can you explain this a little more? You talking about where the hood sits on the rubber pegs on firewall or on the bushings at the hinges?
     
  9. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    Your hood is not aligned properly.

    On the hinges where the hood pivots there are collars that have an allen set screw in them, make sure that those collars are close to the hinge. If they are not the hood can move side to side on the hinge pins.

    Also, the pegs that are mounted to the firewall and the black plastic strips at the bottom of the cowl panels need to be set properly so the back of the hood does not move side to side. It takes a little time to get everything set right, make sure that the pegs are set at the same height.
     
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  10. oneperfectrun

    oneperfectrun Light Load Member

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    Dec 18, 2010
    Fulton, MS
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    I have adjusted the collars on the pins and have left just a hair of play with them. As far as I know the pegs on the firewall are adjusted about right too. The hood sets smoothly down on the pegs when I close it. I'll check on making sure they are set at the same height. The way the front of the hood moves/shakes from side to side is exactly how it would do if the collars weren't there or left a lot of slack. That's the type of shake I have, side to side. Sure wish it was a fix as simple as adjusting those collars. I'll do some more checking tomorrow on the pegs but I really think my problem is somewhere at the front of the hood.
     
  11. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    What about the bushings for the hinge pins, have they been replaced? Also there are rubber pads between the front hinges and the frame, are the rubber pads in good shape and the bolts tight?
     
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