Kenworth roadwalking/wandering issue

btrainbackingupchamp · Jul 19, 2022

Any update on the solution to the wandering? Your description is exactly what my truck does

REO6205 · Jul 19, 2022

The OP hasn't been on TTR since February of 2020 so I doubt he'll answer you. If you want, go ahead and start a new thread in this same forum and see if you can get some info.
Welcome to TTR

Vahe386 · Oct 25, 2024

btrainbackingupchamp said: ↑

Any update on the solution to the wandering? Your description is exactly what my truck does
Click to expand...

Did you find the problem. Mine does the same

Vahe386 · Oct 25, 2024

Smiley300 said: ↑

First off, if this is in the wrong forum I apologize.
I’ll also apologize in advance for the long post.
I have a 2003 Kenworth W900.
I’ll start off by saying, when I bought this truck it drove and handled excellent. I don’t remember a specific time this problem just “occurred”, but I’ve been dealing with it for a while.
It wanders left and right. Every now and then, if I get on a good perfectly flat and smooth road, it will drive pretty well without too much wandering. It seems very persuaded by the road if that makes any sense. If the road is uneven or leans one way or another, it pulls pretty hard that direction. I know all trucks do to a degree but it seems excessive. Sometimes It will wander a little in a certain direction, and a minor correction on the wheel straightens it out. Then it will wander the same direction again and it seems I have to pull and pull against it for it to start back in the right direction.
Another thing I noticed that seems strange is let’s say I’m in a left hand bend on the highway. Sometimes I’ll find it “diving” into the corner. I’ll actually be pulling in the opposite direction to keep it up in my lane.
I’m sure I’ve over thought, and over analyzed as the problem has persisted, but one thing I wasn’t sure about, is the steering never really returns to absolute center. If I’m in a corner and I let go, it will return almost back to dead center, but not exactly dead center. May be normal, and I may be overthinking.
It just seems like it wants to go any direction but straight. Almost like a toe-in problem, but that’s been checked. ‍♂️

So far, I’ve replaced the steering ujoints, as well as the shaft, the steering box, the tie rod and ends, the kingpins, front spring pins, and had the steer tires trued and balanced. It has been to two separate alignment shops. One of which used a Bee Line machine. Both shops also claimed to have checked the caster. It has the 8 bag suspension, and my rear bushings and torque rods were all replaced roughly 250(ish),000 miles ago. Mechanic says the rear bushings are good and tight.
It seems to wander the worst when it’s bobtail. It’s slightly better with an empty trailer, and slightly better than that with a loaded trailer. I’m running 11r 24.5 BF Goodrich Highway Control steers, and 11r 24.5 hankook smartflex drives. (Can’t remember the model number of the drives)
I’m at a loss and I’m not sure what else to try. The only steering components I haven’t replaced are the column and the drag link.
If I stand outside the truck, and twist the steering shaft, everything seems good and tight. Zero play anywhere.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Mine does exact same think. Did you finally find the problem.
Thanks

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