Hi Papa Rick I started out similar to you, getting my used truck in order. Once everything was going good I realized that tires were a pain in the butt because you are always at the mercy of the tire shop for repairs, price, labor, wheel damage etc.

I bought the bars needed, repair parts ( valve stems, patches, plugs, lube etc.) built a cheater tank. And learned how to do my own tire work. It is not fun but it has got me out of some binds and I am 50 miles from the nearest truck tire shop so it has saved me time and money too.

And to keep my steers in good shape I rotate the steers on there rim and switch sides about every 20,000. This has really help the life of my steer tires

I like to use Lucas 5th Wheel Plate Lube, it lasts longer than regular grease and it makes less of a mess.

When you start doing your own oil changes and grease don't forget the two grease zerks on the clutch cross shaft. They are hard to see and get to but the need a couple pumps each.

Air dryer element and heater unit at least every other year is important too. This is something you can do. There is a core on each so take them with you to the parts store when you change them.

Hope this helps

Mike

 

Thats funny vassago I always thought an overhead was a valve lash adjustment. Next time I get mine done I'll see if they can adjust the pistons so they don't get too close to the head and wear out my camshaft DOHH!

 

Glad you responded

 

You must have had one of those new fangled foreign engines with the camshaft on the bottom of the engine. Mine have always been on the top. :wink: :roll:

 

Thanks, I will remember the Lucas 5th Wheel Lube, I have saw it in the stores but did not know if it was worth the money.

The Oil Stabilizer is not cheap, but well worth the money for an older engine.

As far as the two grease fittings to look for, I am trying to find a place where I can get a diagram or picture of where all of the grease fittings are on my Truck.

Any suggestions?

 

The camshaft is on the bottom when you roll the truck over. :wink:


I meant the crankshaft. ops:

 

Good save! :lol:

 

https://secure.freightliner.com/newb...=Freightliner#
Then click on maintenance manuals.

 

I am still confused as to how the pistons and head can move closer together. There isn't an adjustment on pistons or the head to allow for changing the distance between them, as far as I know. An overhead involves checking and adjusting the jake, valves, etc., which are on top of the engine and have nothing to do with additional wear of the camshaft, unless you know something that I don't about how the engine functions. :? Most likely the problem with the crankshaft is due to poor maintenance or failing to do the lower end which involves replacing the bearings located on the lower side of the engine.

 

What I was told is that failing to perform the overhead caused the piston clearance to become too tight, causing something called "piston slap". This caused the bottom end to prematurely wear. Whether or not that is the case is beyond me - that is just what the KW dealership that was putting the thing together called it.