Can new shocks affect suspension load gauge?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by seabring, May 31, 2013.

  1. seabring

    seabring Road Train Member

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    I put new shocks on the drive axles last month and since then my suspension load gauge has been reading less psi comparative to the load on the axles. Eg : before the new shocks if the gauge was at 80 psi then my drive axles had 34k lbs on them. Since new shocks it has been showing 75 psi and that's now 34 k lbs. Any ideas??
     
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  3. hmtruk

    hmtruk Light Load Member

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    check ride height and make sure it is still right. schocks should not have changed anything unless you changed the adjustment on the leveling valve, which could have been done by simply bumping it. just an idea. good luck
     
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  4. SimD

    SimD Light Load Member

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    The t660 I use to drive If it was 75psi the drives were at 34k, so I think new shocks fixed what was a problem
     
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  5. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    I sugest not
     
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  6. little cat 500

    little cat 500 Road Train Member

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    shocks dont hold the weight of the load so id have to say thats not what changed
     
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  7. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    Tag for edit
     
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  8. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    They shouldn't change the air bag pressure, but they could of they were seized. Usually a failed shock is eaiser to move than a good one, so the truck is bouncy. I have seen shocks siezed up, or very difficult to move. If this is the case, it may take some more pressure to get them to extend to ride height. It is not likely, but possible. I'd double check your wieghts to psi a few more loads to verify consistency. If it'snot consistent you may have another issue.
     
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  9. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    Did you put has charged shocks on or just heavy duty?

    If just heavy duty, then no, they shouldn't change anything.

    If GAS CHARGED, then yes, they can lower your suspension pressure.

    Think about it. A gas charged shock WILL exert a force to extend itself. Put 4 of those shocks together on your suspension, it's going to have an impact.

    Try this sometime. Using a household scale, put it on the floor under something solid and put a 2x4 on it. Then put your shock end on the board and let it push against the scale and solid object. How much force is it showing. I'm gonna guess around 30-50 pounds or a little more. That's pushing UP on the frame and less weight that the bags have to carry for the same height so less air is needed.
     
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  10. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    gas charged shoks internal pressure is too low to change air bag pressure, really.....
     
  11. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    Yeah, I agree with Pablo. Even 200 lbs total wont make much of a psi difference on 34,000 lbs. I never measured, but I'm no powerhouse and I easily compress shocks by hand to put them on. They move slow due to the dampening in them, but once compressed, it doesn't take much to hold them compressed.
     
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