Southern_Arrow
New Member
Hello All!
I do not post much and I need to post more.
I’m not advertising but - I do Heavy-Duty Wheel Alignments on-site with a new Computerized Hunter HD machine with spec printout. NOT ONLY do I recommend at least 2 times a year have a printout done of current specs and have your trucks adjusted if needed, - All Axles.
BUT THIS IS MY CONCERN. IT IS IMPARITIVE TO HAVE AND MAKE SURE
THAT THE FRICTION SHIMS IN THE LEAF STACKS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND NOT RUSTED OUT. If the shims rust out, then THAT MEANS THAT YOUR U-BOLTS ARE LOOSE. This is a serious situation as your center pins get more heat and are weakened by rubbing on the blocks. These can break and wiggle out. Loose U-Bolts, junk centering pins, rusted out friction shims and worn down caster wedges will lead to your front axle failure. Do you want your front axle folding underneath your truck when you go over those tracks next time? What about cruising down the highway. Please Please these inspections are simple and don’t take much time and effort. This is your safety. I was on a job today and found this condition - AGAIN. He complained of the trucks steering being loose feeling. His front axle was moving back and forth about 2 inches. I jacked up the truck and put a large Phillips head all the way through his stack of springs!!! He was in an utter state of shock. :runningaround:
Tie Rod ends, Wheel Bearing end play and Shocks have a pretty big impact on drivability and tire wear as well. Have all those inspected as well.
The bad part is- the truck was just PM’ed and stickered good.
Tap on the U-Bolts with a 4lb mini-sledge and you can tell by the sound if they are tight or loose. TIIING - good , THUD- bad. A loose bolt will let sound reverberate. Being loose - the sound will not be transferred to the leaf springs and axle. It will sound more like a rattle.
Thanks Guy's and Gal's keep on Truckin'!
I do not post much and I need to post more.
I’m not advertising but - I do Heavy-Duty Wheel Alignments on-site with a new Computerized Hunter HD machine with spec printout. NOT ONLY do I recommend at least 2 times a year have a printout done of current specs and have your trucks adjusted if needed, - All Axles.
BUT THIS IS MY CONCERN. IT IS IMPARITIVE TO HAVE AND MAKE SURE
THAT THE FRICTION SHIMS IN THE LEAF STACKS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND NOT RUSTED OUT. If the shims rust out, then THAT MEANS THAT YOUR U-BOLTS ARE LOOSE. This is a serious situation as your center pins get more heat and are weakened by rubbing on the blocks. These can break and wiggle out. Loose U-Bolts, junk centering pins, rusted out friction shims and worn down caster wedges will lead to your front axle failure. Do you want your front axle folding underneath your truck when you go over those tracks next time? What about cruising down the highway. Please Please these inspections are simple and don’t take much time and effort. This is your safety. I was on a job today and found this condition - AGAIN. He complained of the trucks steering being loose feeling. His front axle was moving back and forth about 2 inches. I jacked up the truck and put a large Phillips head all the way through his stack of springs!!! He was in an utter state of shock. :runningaround:
Tie Rod ends, Wheel Bearing end play and Shocks have a pretty big impact on drivability and tire wear as well. Have all those inspected as well.
The bad part is- the truck was just PM’ed and stickered good.
Tap on the U-Bolts with a 4lb mini-sledge and you can tell by the sound if they are tight or loose. TIIING - good , THUD- bad. A loose bolt will let sound reverberate. Being loose - the sound will not be transferred to the leaf springs and axle. It will sound more like a rattle.
Thanks Guy's and Gal's keep on Truckin'!