Height control valve assembly

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by JReding, Oct 12, 2016.

  1. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    I'm planning on writing it up for inspection at my next service interval, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and if it's an indication of a worn or defective part, or just an adjustment issue.
    I drive a '14 Cascadia 2 axle daycab leased from Penske, and the height adjustment on the drive axle seems to vary from day to day by a slight amount. The arm that's connected to the valve assembly has always been a little loose, and I assumed that was normal to allow for movement during varying driving and road conditions. (This is the first truck I've ever had assigned to me with air suspension. Before that, I had driven them only when my spring-ride was in for maintenance. That was with another company.)
    Anyway, the variance in height, and the arm being somewhat loose: are they indicators of a worn or defective part, or just one that's out of adjustment?
     
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  3. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    There will be a tiny bit of movement at the ends of the link to allow them to pivot, but that should be very little. I have seen many where the nut holding the lever on the valve comes loose and gives play there. Try snugging that up a and see if it helps. The ride height will need to be checked and that arm probably will need to be replaced if it was loose for any length of time, when they come loose it starts to wallow out the hole in the arm.
     
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  4. Duckman1005

    Duckman1005 Bobtail Member

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    If I remember correct the height from the ground to the frame should be 40 or 41 inches.
     
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  5. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    Doesn't that depend partly on the type of 5th wheel you have, as well? Some sit taller than others.
     
  6. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    I was kinda thinking the same thing. I snugged the nut down a little, but I'm thinking the damage may already have been done to the arm or the shaft it connects to. Is the shaft splined? Squared? I didn't take the arm off. I was going to, but I didn't want to create a problem that I would have to explain later!
     
  7. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    It's usually a round shaft with 2 flats. The flats wear on the arm, but it also wears into the step where it stop on the shaft and the nut wont be able to tighten it and more. You can shim it with a washer for a temp fix, but you need a washer that fits over the shaft, it can't stop at the step where the threads end or it wont help.
     
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  8. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    One thing I noticed about mine compared to literally every other truck we have (small fleet, we have 11 tractors and a few straight trucks) is that the arm on mine is mounted backwards. I'll try to find an example online, bit if I can't, I'll take pictures at work this afternoon and post so you can see. Could that possibly cause premature wear?
     
  9. JReding

    JReding Road Train Member

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    Found one that looks very similar to mine. On mine, the arm is reversed: the offset moves out from the contoller as opposed to in, as you see here.
    Screenshot_20161012-075123_1.jpg
     
  10. Duckman1005

    Duckman1005 Bobtail Member

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    Exactly, this is why you measure to the truck frame and not the fifth wheel itself.
     
  11. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Check with your dealer service department on your VIN# for ride height specs and where to measure when doing so. They can print it off for you I have 3 or 4 pages about that and the leveling valve in my glove box.
     
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