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Mack ch613 strange steering does not return to zero

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Mountainmover, Jul 16, 2018.

  1. Jul 16, 2018 #1
    Mountainmover

    Mountainmover Bobtail Member

    37
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    Feb 24, 2015
    0
    I have a late 90’s Mark ch613 double frame e7 8LL dump truck.

    The steering wheel does not intuitively fall back to zero neutral position when driving.
    In other words, on a straight road when you let go of the wheel it has a tendency to drift to one side or other as if front end is out of line. Yet, I have no wear on tires and steering is smooth and light as if it’s new. No binding.

    I was told that the front axle needs wedges placed somewhere? Wedges to tilt axle forward or backwards to set caster camber?
    Any good info and advice on this?
    A friend game me some wedges to install to try. He said they go under leaf spring perches? Front or back? I don’t know? This is not my area of expertise.

    This issue showed up after a dirt haul job that was kinda off road....
    I was on a different job and I often wondered if the driver hit too many pot holes loaded.
    At the time, we had a helper in my shop and for some reason he put in new tie bolts on front axle. My father was still alive at the time and involved in that decision but, he recently passed away and I have no way to find out the story...

    Thanks for any tips and info.
     
    Mountainmover, Jul 16, 2018
    Mountainmover, Jul 16, 2018
    #1
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  3. Jul 16, 2018 #2
    Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Jul 12, 2017
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    First things first. Inspect the entire front end for wear and or frozen components, proper tire inflation and wheel bearings. A stuck king pin / dry bushing will cause your symptom and keep the steering from returning to center on it's own. Once the front end has been given a clean bill of health, then move on to alignment checks.

    Normally adding caster shims to increase the caster angle on the steer axle will help the issue at hand. If the shim were removed and not put back at all or correctly this could be the issue as well. I would not advise on winging shims in it without measuring the alignment angles first to see how far it is off so you know the amount of shims to add.

    Do your homework on the alignment shops in your area. Find a good one and pay them to fix the issue at hand. Good alignment shops are not easy to find and are worth the money spent. Make sure they understand your complaint, and ask for a road test to verify the issue is corrected before paying the bill. None of this is out of line for a qualified shop to correct this condition.

    Good Luck.
     
    Goodysnap, Jul 16, 2018
    Goodysnap, Jul 16, 2018
    #2
    spsauerland Thanks this.
  4. Jul 16, 2018 #3
    swaan

    swaan Road Train Member

    2,942
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    Jul 12, 2009
    BC canada
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    Needs more caster. Get an alignment done at a reputable shop.
     
    swaan, Jul 16, 2018
    swaan, Jul 16, 2018
    #3
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