How to adjust ride height on 2007 columbia

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by SimD, Jul 13, 2013.

  1. SimD

    SimD Light Load Member

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    Ride height valve is leaking so gonna be replacing it. Anyone know where to measure at when adjusting ride height and how many inches?
     
  2. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    meaure ride hight before u change valve, usually abouy 3-4" from axle to frame bump
     
  3. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    here ya go. The factory manual and how to do it with a picture of WHERE to measure.


    2 3/8 to 2 7/8 " As a general rule, if you can put a board across the top of rear drive tires and the frame is about even with that board too, your ride height should be good.
     

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  4. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    when you pull the rod apart. you'll be able to se the difference from clean to dirty. just insert to the dirty part like it was before. should be good to go.

    i've had the valve replaced 3 times now. they just simply replace the part and send me down the road. never once have they checked the ride height.
     
  5. BullDoggin

    BullDoggin Light Load Member

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    Are you joking? How do you account for different suspensions and tire sizes?
     
  6. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    Why don't you go walk through a truck stop and LOOK at all the air ride suspensions.

    I said as a "GENERAL" rule of thumb.

    I was told that the first time, I had the same thought you did. But I figure two GOOD mechanics with reputations for stretching and building custom trucks for 20 years probably know a heck of a lot more than I do.

    When we did mine last year, my frame was about 1" below the the tops of my tires. We set it PER THE FREIGHTLINER MANUAL I put above. My tires are now even with the frame and my ride height is 2 1/2" to procedure.

    I have compared the Pete's from the guys in the shop that run LP 24.5, tall 24.5 and LP 22.5. They are all real close to the same way.


    But what do I know. I am just a trained monkey.
     
  7. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Ride height is measured between the bump stop and axle.
    Would have to look it up again though for the measurement. Should be able to find it online easily though.
    Seeing where the rod is shiny is useless, as the bolt holes in the valve itself are slotted, and no 2 valves (rarely they are even the same make) will ride at the exact same height.

    Martin
     
  8. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    I posted the actual MANUAL procedure above to HOW on the century/columbia it is done.

    As well as put up a quick glance to see how bad it might be of a concern.


    It even has pictures in the manual to look at to that SHOW the place to measure as well.
     
  9. BullDoggin

    BullDoggin Light Load Member

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    Peterbilt has three different frame rails, more than six suspensions, and four different tire heights. That's 72 different ride heights when measuring frame vs. tires.

    OR, you could follow manufacturer specs and know exactly what it should be. A half-inch can make a vibration and shorten ujoint life.
     
  10. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    you understand what a "general rule" is?

    You go out to your truck and you look at WHERE your frame is sitting. AFTER you have verified by proper procedure that your ride height IS correct.

    I'll bet you a steak dinner, you go out and air your truck up, check your frame and compare where it sits to the top of your tires. It will be right close to it.

    Then go and measure your ride height and see where it's actually at.

    Then come back and share with us your findings.

    I don't care if you can factor out to 168 different combinations. It's a GENERAL rule of thumb that you can look across a truckstop parking lot and I bet you could pick out at least 3-5 that would need ride height corrections to them.