Fifth wheel adjustment

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Dino soar, Oct 25, 2019.

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  1. Oct 25, 2019 #1
    Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I'm getting ready to put the 5th wheel on my truck.

    So I cleaned all the old grease off and cleaned everything out the best that I could. The Springs all seem to be intact and everything seems to be there like it should be. By the way this fifth wheel has been sitting for several years.

    When I pull the lever for the fifth wheel it does not lock. I can feel the bump of a cam I suppose but it just does not lock when I pull it.

    Is there an adjustment for that to lock, or does that indicate some other problem?

    I do have another fifth wheel I can see how that one is if this one is having a serious problem.

    This is a Holland fifth wheel.
     
    Dino soar, Oct 25, 2019
    Dino soar, Oct 25, 2019
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  3. Oct 25, 2019 #2
    Working2party

    Working2party Medium Load Member

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    I’ve only ever felt with the FW-35. If that’s what your working with. You have to spread the jaws after you pull the rod to get them to stay open.

    As for adjustment, there is a nut on the very front. Once your hooked to a trailer. You want to loosen it till you can just turn the rubber washer by hand. I usually hill and unhook the trailer a few times when Adjusting it. Seems to get alittle tighter on the kingpin each hook.
     
    Working2party, Oct 25, 2019
    Working2party, Oct 25, 2019
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  4. Oct 25, 2019 #3
    Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I think I may be misunderstanding you or I may not be clear.

    When I pull the rod the rod itself will not lock.

    If the Jaws are closed, or even if they're open for that matter shouldn't the rod itself lock out until the Jaws lock again?
     
    Dino soar, Oct 25, 2019
    Dino soar, Oct 25, 2019
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  5. Oct 25, 2019 #4
    062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Depends on the manufacturer. I had a jost that you had to pull out and move forward. Another was a Holland I think. That one pull out and lift up. Have a Fontaine now it’s just straight pull,then clicks.
     
    062, Oct 25, 2019
    062, Oct 25, 2019
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  7. Oct 25, 2019 #5
    Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I think it should pull out, and slip down to stay open. Might have a bad spring or something. Handles sometimes have a piece welded to them, that hold them open. Brand New Holland $850, saw it yesterday. Don’t forget new bushings.
     
    Rideandrepair, Oct 25, 2019
    Rideandrepair, Oct 25, 2019
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  8. Oct 25, 2019 #6
    Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Holland website has instructions on rebuilding one. Hardly worth it as the kit is almost $500, and rebuilt is $650. Brand new, way to go. But instructions could help with illustrations to understand operation. It’s a very simple fool proof design. Best fifth wheel, IMO, others are too complicated
     
    Rideandrepair, Oct 25, 2019
    Rideandrepair, Oct 25, 2019
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  9. Oct 25, 2019 #7
    Working2party

    Working2party Medium Load Member

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    The rod should stay out if the cam plate isn’t badly worn, but once the jaws come open the rod is locked out. If it’s a Holland FW-35, I have seen some older plate on farm trucks that like said above the rod has a step on it that holds the rod out until the trailer opens the jaws.

    And yes, it’s not cost effective to rebuild the whole thing. But if the jaws are tight hold the king pin tight, you can get just the cam plate and rod (Control) parts for much less. You’ll need to hook it to a trailer with a good kingpin before you can tell what you’ve got.
     
    Working2party, Oct 25, 2019
    Working2party, Oct 25, 2019
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  10. Oct 25, 2019 #8
    Working2party

    Working2party Medium Load Member

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    Or buy the go-no go gauges that are available...
     
    Working2party, Oct 25, 2019
    Working2party, Oct 25, 2019
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  11. Oct 25, 2019 #9
    Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    @Rideandrepair

    Can you let me know where you saw that at that price?
     
    Dino soar, Oct 25, 2019
    Dino soar, Oct 25, 2019
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  12. Oct 25, 2019 #10
    Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Valley Truck parts, Warren Mi store. HQ in Grand Rapids,It was $850 or close to it anyway. I paid more for the same brand new plate in 1997 from Dealer, and I had shopped prices back then, I think it was $1000. I wonder how much Fleetpride charges. Worth a call
     
    Rideandrepair, Oct 25, 2019
    Rideandrepair, Oct 25, 2019
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