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81westernstar
Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 9:49 pm Post subject: 81 western star suspension. |
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| I recently bought a 81 western star dump that has neway air ride suspension when it's loaded the truck drifts all over the road Im constantly having to counter steer it all the tires are in great shape and properly inflated I have no idea what going on with it any help would be greatly appreciated. |
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stranger
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 59
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| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:07 am Post subject: |
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Check the bushings on the trailing arms. The arms that connect the axle to the frame mount. Your truck may have a track arm from the frame rail to the top of the axle. Check these bushings also.
The Neway system mounts similar to the old Hendrickson walking beam suspension. Tight bushings mean everything.
If all bushings are OK, then replace shocks, which might not be a bad idea anyway.
The large Neway air bags mixed with dump bodies don't make for the most stable of suspensions.
I have seen drivers put two ride height valves on to stabilize the truck.
One mounted to the far right of the axle to control the right side air bags, and one on the far left to do the same for that side. |
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81westernstar
Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for your reply I was thinking the bushings needed to be changed the truck has 341,000 miles and there starting to show some signs of wear. Someone has already put the two ride height valves on it but Im not sure if there working Im taking it to the shop today to have someone look at it I will probably have a spring suspension suspension installed. |
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yoopr
Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 12866
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| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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Might want to check your Levelers.
Maybe one is out of Whack. |
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81westernstar
Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for your reply whats the best method for checking the levelers. Im sorry about all the ?'s but I have no clue what Im doing when it comes to air ride. |
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Mackman
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
Posts: 2251
Location: Concordville PA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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81westernstar wrote: I will probably have a spring suspension suspension installed.
In a dump truck that is the only way to go. |
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81westernstar
Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for all of your replys I've decided to replace the trailing arm bushings and the shocks the torque rods and bushings have already been replaced. The shop I took it to said it would be $2600.00 for labor does this sound about right. |
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special k
Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 247
Location: Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Where I live thats about right. I'd stay with the air ride a lot of new dumps are coming with air because they save the truck from so much pounding. If it's actually unsafe or you're breaking a lot of parts then think about changing it but if it just drives different than spring than I'd stay with it. Don't forget there is different weight raings for neway if your's is a light one you might be able to upgrade it to the heavier type. |
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81westernstar
Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Do any of you know of a website I can order trailing arm bushings and shocks from. |
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bob h
Joined: 15 Oct 2006
Posts: 664
Location: Nb
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| Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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81westernstar wrote: Thanks for all of your replys I've decided to replace the trailing arm bushings and the shocks the torque rods and bushings have already been replaced. The shop I took it to said it would be $2600.00 for labor does this sound about right.
no |
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