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'87 T-600 steering wheel shake, uneven tire wear

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Sep 8, 2010 #1
    pudamobile

    pudamobile Bobtail Member

    27
    5
    May 31, 2010
    Cooperstown, ND
    0
    Hey everyone,

    I got my T-6 back from the shop, said they fixed the problem of my intermittent shimmy, but they didn't! (I didn't realize until I was almost home, when I made a 90 degree left turn, back came my shimmy)

    My steers are wearing unevenly, the inside is almost gone but the outside is still pretty good. The shop installed new tierod ends, and I jacked up the front end and tried to wiggle the wheels to check kingpin wear and that doesn't seem to be a problem.

    Will uneven tires cause an intermittent shimmy? I'd like to get a new set of steers, but only if they'll fix the problems. Any other trouble spots to check up on before I order new steers? Thanks everyone!!
     
    pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010
    pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010
    #1
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  3. Sep 8, 2010 #2
    rocknroll nik

    rocknroll nik High Risk Load Member

    4,490
    5,770
    Oct 18, 2008
    can't read the sign
    0
    A friend of mine had a problem with his t600 and what it turned out to be was that the drives were'nt alligned. I know nothing more than that. When he told me about it I was like WTF the drives weren't alligned explain. He told me that was what the mechanic said and I don't know anymore than that. I just figured I would put it out there.
    I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable members will be in here to give some good advice.
     
    rocknroll nik, Sep 8, 2010
    rocknroll nik, Sep 8, 2010
    #2
  4. Sep 8, 2010 #3
    country29

    country29 Medium Load Member

    518
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    Feb 27, 2010
    Arkansas
    0
    to check the kingpins jack the front end up about an inch or so off the ground, then take a long prybar or tirebar and put between the ground and the bottom of the tire and pickup on it, and then kinda of bounce it up and down with the bar to see if there is any movement in the kingpins. if not, and there is not any play in the wheel bearings, then I would get 2 steer tires, and a good 3axle alignment.
     
    country29, Sep 8, 2010
    country29, Sep 8, 2010
    #3
    pudamobile Thanks this.
  5. Sep 8, 2010 #4
    billandlori

    billandlori Medium Load Member

    357
    107
    Sep 5, 2010
    Stratford, Ontario, Canada
    0
    What steer tires do you have?

    x2 on the three axle alignment, if the drive axles aren't aligned they are trying to turn the truck all the time.

    Bill
     
    billandlori, Sep 8, 2010
    billandlori, Sep 8, 2010
    #4
  7. Sep 8, 2010 #5
    Krooser

    Krooser Road Train Member

    2,493
    1,066
    Jul 25, 2010
    Wisconsin
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    Something isn't right since you have excessive inside tire wear... you have too much negative camber. It's usually caused by worn king pins or a bent axle.

    I bought a pair of Dunlop tires in 2003 shortly after I bought the 379 I'm driving.... I got a 'deal' on em. I suffered with a bad shimmy and piss poor tire wear from day one... the dealer finally put on another set and I got the same deal... the truck would shake and shimmy like a belly dancer.

    I finally got fed up after 9 months and put on a pair of Michelin XZA-3's... end of problem.

    I'm not saying the tires are the problem... I'd start with the king pins and a fresh set of QUALITY tires...
     
    Krooser, Sep 8, 2010
    Krooser, Sep 8, 2010
    #5
  8. Sep 8, 2010 #6
    canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

    4,352
    2,601
    Aug 6, 2010
    western pa
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    maybe a set of centramtics would help---definately if you change tires
     
    canuck in da truck, Sep 8, 2010
    canuck in da truck, Sep 8, 2010
    #6
  9. Sep 8, 2010 #7
    pudamobile

    pudamobile Bobtail Member

    27
    5
    May 31, 2010
    Cooperstown, ND
    0
    I tried that this afternoon and had no movement in the kingpins. I'm going to have to pick up a couple steers for it and have it aligned.

    The only other thing I can think of is I have the 8 bag suspension in back and it seems the driver's side is never quite as inflated as the passenger's...had the shop look at it and they said it isn't a problem, just to adjust the little regulators that tell the suspension when it's fully inflated, but that wouldn't cause any problems, would it?
     
    pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010
    pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010
    #7
  10. Sep 8, 2010 #8
    RenegadeTrucker

    RenegadeTrucker Road Train Member

    2,779
    2,494
    Dec 25, 2009
    Montana
    0
    +1

    Get the centramatics and a new set of tires, and a 3 axle alignment.

    When you have a shop do the alignment have them check the king pins again first.

    As well, a set of worn tires will produce a shimmy after you have fixed the problem because they are worn and unbalanced.
     
    RenegadeTrucker, Sep 8, 2010
    RenegadeTrucker, Sep 8, 2010
    #8
  11. Sep 8, 2010 #9
    pudamobile

    pudamobile Bobtail Member

    27
    5
    May 31, 2010
    Cooperstown, ND
    0
    Do those centramatics work? I was just looking into them as you posted. I think I'm going to call Kenworth of Fargo and have them alignment all 3 axles, check the kingpins and keep my old steers for my frankenhusker to be used during corn. Can never have too many trucks when the waits at the elevator are 5+ hours!
     
    pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010
    pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010
    #9
  12. Sep 8, 2010 #10
    pudamobile

    pudamobile Bobtail Member

    27
    5
    May 31, 2010
    Cooperstown, ND
    0
    Also, what is the best steer for a mix of gravel/blacktop? Do some hauling for the elevator during the winter as well, so I figure I should get all this taken care of now.
     
    pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010
    pudamobile, Sep 8, 2010
    #10
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