Drifting and jumping tractor

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by MTMAUS, Dec 1, 2022.

  1. MTMAUS

    MTMAUS Light Load Member

    181
    151
    Sep 28, 2019
    0
    OK, so I am getting this information from my driver who is on the road and texting, so not the best line of communication, but here goes.

    2017 freightliner argosy, he says that when he goes through a step driveway, or up a step hill the truck struggles and jumps around alot. Also when driving the truck on straight roads it seems to drift around a lot.

    I have driven the truck bobtail and I did notice some drifting in the truck, I thought it was front end and it felt like every now and then you would get pushed from side to side, it was very minor but I am guessing with 50 Tonne behind its a lot worse.

    I am thinking maybe the air bags are not at the right height? Maybe the levelling valve isn't letting air out which is causing it to run high which is stuffing up all of the alignment?

    Am I on the right track? What else should I be looking at? Drover says it is getting worse.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. MRMTRANS

    MRMTRANS Light Load Member

    243
    275
    Apr 28, 2015
    0
    I wouldn't think air bag height would affect alignment. I'd start with checking the alignment. I aligned my truck for the first time last week with string, channel bars (for tow), and a tape measure, and realized how easy it is to be off a little bit-how a 1/16"shim can make such a big difference. Set tow in 1/16" to compensate for tolerances in steer components. Tow out causes road wander.
     
  4. North Pole Nightmare

    North Pole Nightmare Medium Load Member

    691
    1,383
    Dec 15, 2021
    0
    I would look at the torsion bars too,make sure everything is good.
     
  5. Star Rider

    Star Rider Road Train Member

    1,010
    7,887
    Sep 23, 2019
    Michigan
    0
    Try greasing the 5th wheel , causes friction when turning , start simple
     
  6. MTMAUS

    MTMAUS Light Load Member

    181
    151
    Sep 28, 2019
    0
    I greased 5th wheel today, but it had heaps on it, so I don't think that would be it.

    How fast should the height control valve expell the air when decreasing the bags? It seem to be alot slower then my other truck.

    I checked the torsion bars and drive shaft for movement, but they all seemed OK. There isn't any abnormal wear on any tires.

    Driver said its worse when going up steep driveways.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.