Whew what a Day!

Started out getting the steer tire took off and used wheel and steer tire put on to see if this would help, and it did not.

Next the mechanic rode with me to get a better understanding of what it was doing. Still could not pinpoint front or back. When we got back to the shop, the owner came out and rode with me, and thought it was in the back, so he rides on the catwalk and watches the rears and driveshaft, and can't find anything wrong.

They check the tie rod ends, kingpins, spring pins, shackles and hangers, bushings, and find nothing abnormal.

He said the only thing he could suggest was find a place that could balance the wheel, tire, and brake drum on the Truck. Found a place in Chattanooga TN, but were closed today!

Was referred to Lee Smith in Chattanooga TN, and found out about a VIS check, which is awesome, never seen anything like it. It provides a full evaluation of your vehicle's Brake efficiency, Brake response time, steering components, suspension components, drive line components, wheel alighment.

The good news is they told me my Truck was in great shape, and only needed two bushings replaced.

The bad news, still no problem solved.

Tommorow I will go and get a 3 axle alignment and see if this helps.

The fifth wheel has not been checked, but today I bobtailed to the three shops I went to and it was no change from hauling a Trailer.

I will check the shocks and see about that.

Steve Thanks for the advice on the camera, I will try this if the alignment doesn't help.

I appreciate the advice and words of wisdom. I will keep posting when I get something done, and when it is fixed what it was.


Thanks everyone!!!!

 

This will be interesting to see if you find the problem. I'm going through almost exactly the same experiences. I'm very wary of the mechanics though. They all say, oh it's this or that needs to be replaced. Well, they don't know squat and are just guessing at my expense.

I'm tempted to put some gas shocks on the front of my truck.

 

Took my Truck in for a 3 Axle Alignment yesterday. Found out the reason my steer tires have some abnormal wear, the drives were out of alignment, not much, but enough to cause this.

One of the U-Bolts on the axle was loose and allowed the back drive axle to move ever so slightly when I made turns. It was not loose enough to feel, but they took a hammer and hit the top of them to see if they would move.

As far as the bounce up and down, they believed it had to be a out of round tire on my drives. They were able to spin my steers up pretty fast and watch them, but no bounce.

I plan on taking it somerwhere and getting the drive tires checked out closer next week.

 

The Peterbilt dealer in Georgia I-75 exit 348. has one of the best frame shops around, we have our trucks aligned there, its pretty close to you and you usually dont have to wait long.

 

I believe it is also in my Drive Tires, but now sure which one. The shop that did my 3 axle alignment told me they could spin balance my tires and it should show up then.

Several Questions:


1. Has anyone ever had this done to find an out of round tire? My recaps have 20,000 on them.

My steer tires started to show wear on:

Left Steer Tire: on the inside.
Right Steer Tire: on the outside.

Not very much, but enough for a novice like me to see it. My front end was a little out of line, but not as much as my rears were.

2. My question is this, will the steer tires come back into wearing even? They took them off and flipped them to get them back into even wear?

4. About the 3 axle alignment: I know if I think it is out of alignment, to get this done, but if it seems to be staying in alignment how often would I need to have this done? Remember I haul logs for a living, so I am in and out on dirt roads.

 

If your tires were out of round or out of balance they bounce the same in the morning and at night. I don't think it has anything to do with your tires.

 

The longer you drive your tires the hotter they get, and the air pressure goes up in them. I have read that to get a True reading of your Air Pressure you must wait at least 3 hours after driving.

Didn't believe it, but tried it a few times and found out they were right.

I have had everything else checked out with the exception of my power divider.

The reason I beleive it is a out of round tire, is due to the fact that the longer I drive on them the worse the bounce gets.

I will post the results when I find it.

 

An out of round tire can get worse as the day goes on but other drivers should be able to see it as you go down the road. Get someone to follow you to see if a tire starts to actually bounce. Spring ride trucks often have these problems thats half the reason people went to air ride.

 

I actually had someone ride on the catwalk trying to find it while it was doing it with no luck. I know the spring ride will never ride like a air ride does, but it didn't start doing this until a couple of months after I bought my drive tires.

 

Just got back from the Tire Shop. I had them take off two tires that were showing real bad abnormal wear for only 20,000. Took it out for a test, and this got 95% of the bounce out of it. The other 5% is due to it being a spring ride.

Boy am I glad this has been solved!!!!!!!!

I appreciate all of the advice and input that everyone gave.