Vibration/shaking with empty trailer

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by mhlvc, Sep 27, 2021.

  1. mhlvc

    mhlvc Light Load Member

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    May 2, 2020
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    So I got all new tires all around and all new shocks all around. Pete 579
    Im still getting vibration/shaking when Im driving with a trailer on highway, notice it a lot more when empty. What could it be?
    -Do I have to adjust ride height when I get all new tires? The thread on these General HDs is huge.
    The truck vibrated even before getting all new tires if I remember correctly. So now Im not sure what it could be.
    -Bad leveling valve? How exactly do I check for that?
    -Something mechanical? I do notice when I go over even a small bump - the truck hits hard, it didnt before. King pins? Leaf springs?

    Any ideas?
     
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  3. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    The Sticks, Idaho
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    Lots of possibilities...

    Drive lines
    Rear ends
    Wheel end out of balance
    Egg shaped tire

    Just to list a few.
     
    bad-luck Thanks this.
  4. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    NE illinois
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    did you have vibration at certain speed ?
    did you do alignment ? what tires you run , did you check drive line ?
    i doubt king pings will make vibration ..or shocks ...or bearings...
    id guess tires or drive line ...chasing it myself on my tractor , but i know its tires
    as soon as i rotated - slight vibration at 57-60mph ... one axle is due for replacement already
     
  5. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    ...height level possible ....but its causing min vibration ...had this issue on one of my tractors
     
  6. mhlvc

    mhlvc Light Load Member

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    May 2, 2020
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    Vibration 60mph+, going to get steers balanced tmrw and see what happens. Driveline seems good, all 3 axles aligned.
    Not sure how to see if my rise height is bad, was adjusted to spec last year at Peterbilt but that was with my old tires, so idk
    Im running new Michelin's in front and General HDs on drives
     
  7. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Jul 12, 2017
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    Low air leaf is most common. Measured from axle center to bottom of frame. 8-3/4" unloaded. Confirm your suspension type first.

    Can be done with a tape measure. Measure bottom of framerail flange to ground. Then measure axle center to ground and subtract. Use the wheel end axle dimple for center. Make sure your on level ground.

    Adjust ride height at suspension leveling control valve mounting.
     
  8. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    May 10, 2015
    Detroit, MI
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    How's your leveling valve? Depending on the model the rod connection to the valve arm can move up and down. Not visible, untill you touch it
     
  9. mhlvc

    mhlvc Light Load Member

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    May 2, 2020
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    Balance of steers all good. They're saying my new drives should be deflated to 95psi since I only do light loads (theyre at 105 now), and the drives are only running on the middle blocks of thread.
    Would something like that cause vibration?

    Have no idea how to adjust ride height or how to properly measure middle of axle to bottom of frame. Theres no set point to put the measure tape against so idk
     
  10. mhlvc

    mhlvc Light Load Member

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    May 2, 2020
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    Vibration seems to be coming from the front (or maybe below me), goes on and off, almost like it has a cycle that it keeps repeating. Starts at 60mph I believe
    Pressing pedal or not, same thing
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2021
  11. Pete5792023

    Pete5792023 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2022
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    Hi. I have exactly same issue with my peterbilt. You ever figure it out?


     
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