Caster (lack of):

Yes, Hunter!

 

That’s what we use too. Which hunter model do you use? What heads?

 

811 with DSP 300.

 

Would you be able to private message me as I have a few questions I’d like to ask you?

 

I’m having issues with my steering I have had numerous parts replaced including new tires, power steering box, leaf springs, several different brands of shocks and multiple alignments. Most recently the leaf springs, which has stopped my truck from constantly pulling to the right, but now it will only track straight for a few seconds at a time. The majority of my days is spent fighting The wandering that it does. Could somebody please point me in the direction of a mechanic that can actually help with my issue? It is a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia the issue started around 200,000 miles and hasn’t driven “normal” despite all the new parts.i currently have 447,xxx miles on the odometer. I have the most recent print out of my alignment, Thanks in advance.

 

Caster is too low on the right side. Should have about 1 full degree higher on the right. Your caster right now is 4.0 left, 4.1 right. Try to get the right side to 5 degrees. If you are wandering, you might need even a bit higher on both sides still, like 4.5 left and 5.5 right. The printout says you have a standard Alliance axle, but if you have actually have a Hendrickson Steertek, then you cannot stagger the caster and they must be the same side to side. In that case, to counter road crown and pulls to the right, the front drive needs to be set slightly negative. Right now it is -0.02, so if you have a Hendrickson steer axle, you might have to play with scrub angle as all trucks are different, and start at about -0.08.

 

So the question is, who do I take my truck to? I’ve had some mechanics tell me that my alignment is “in Spec” and my truck drives normal and others want to throw parts at it. I’m tired of fighting the truck, but I’m also tired of throwing money at a problem that isn’t getting fixed.

 

The caster stagger is properly called crosscaster. Any good alignment tech will know this. Alignments are a specialty and not every mechanic does them. So the previous shop doesn't have experienced guys or they are using the wrong guys. To get the number in the green simply means it is within tolerance. That is just a general ballpark guideline, and you need what about 95% of trucks out there need, more cross caster. So I recommend finding a shop that knows what this is. Again, cross caster isn't adjustable with a Hendrickson Steertek axle, and maybe that is why they didn't adjust it. Find out what axle you have.

 

So, I believe I found why my truck wouldn’t track straight. I haven’t test driven the truck since I got the bushings replaced, but I don’t think it is normal for a bushing to be grinding metal off the hanger. Only the 2 on the driverside was rubbing. The hangers on passenger side looked almost as new as the day I bought the truck at 67,xxx miles.

 

Sorry for the double posted pictures.