09' 9200 Day Cab 280" WB Steering Vibration

Discussion in 'International Forum' started by Teredo, Jul 22, 2012.

  1. Teredo

    Teredo Bobtail Member

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    Jul 22, 2012
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    I purchased a 09' 9200 day cab 280" WB that has a vibration between 53-57 mph. It causes the steering wheel to oscillate and the truck to shake back & forth. We haven't even attempted to hook up a trailer yet. It happens when you are just bobtail. The truck came stock with a 10 speed. We had the dealership swap that out for an 18 speed (2x first trans overheated). We also had them install a locker in the first drive axle. The dealership where it was purchased has done everything possible to try and correct the problem. Looking to see if anyone has a solution or suggestion to fix it. Here is what we have done to try and correct the problem.

    -Alignment (3x)
    -New Tires (Steer & Drives)
    -New King Pin & Load Bearings
    -Check Wheel Bearings
    -New Front Drums
    -Install steering stabilizer kit on front end
    -Adjust Ride Height
    -Check Frame Alignment
    -Check Motor Mounts

    -We are pulling all 4 drive lines in the AM and sending them out to be checked for balance and any defective u-joints.

    The dealership has 2 other trucks on the lot. We drove both of those and they have same issue as what I started with. Of course when I installed new tires on the steer it eliminated 80% of the problem so flat spots on the tires isn't what is causing it. These 2 trucks have the stock 10 speed with no additional work done to them. They all came from the same fleet and sister trucks to the one I bought (1 vin # off)

    Only remaining things is to check for a bent axle in the drive or these drivelines have a bad u-joint or are unbalanced. It is just hard to imagine my truck plus these other 2 trucks have bent axles or unbalanced drivelines.

    Any suggestions or feedback would be welcomed.
     
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  3. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Feb 4, 2009
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    If by oscillate of the steering wheel you mean it quickly goes back and forth left, right, left, right the problem is balancing or out of round of the steer wheels. Something is still out of round or out of balance even though they replaced the tires. They need to jack up the front axle and spin balance the tires. It is common for tires to be mis-mounted on the rim so that when the wheel spins the tire is out of round and it actually goes up and down as it is spinning which will cause this problem. There is also another cause very similar which is mis-mount between the rim and hub, where as the rim doesn't sit perfectly centered on the hub and spins out of round causing the exact same shake. Some hubs allow a sloppy fit and the rim will not sit centered when bolted. This explains why swapping wheels also does not correct the problem. Once the axle is jacked up, (pick out the stones), you can usually spin the steer tires as fast as you can by hand and see if it is spinning true. I bet one of them isn't and is the cause to your problem.
     
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