2 reasons why my next truck will be a Freightliner
#21
07-19-2009, 04:26 PM
Usually when you have toe out a rutted highway is extremely bad. Such as about mile marker 22 in minnesota on 94 going west.
Also when a big truck passes you, and there's a huge blast of wind after he gets past. If that tosses you around, it's a toe problem. Saying that it seems to go pretty straight on a flat highway indicates that it's not too much out of adjustment.
#22
07-19-2009, 11:49 PM
It could also easily be the drive axle alignment sending him all over the road.
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#24
07-20-2009, 02:09 AM
Nah - I think he's just torn between whether he likes a Freightliner best or not.
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#25
07-20-2009, 09:35 AM
The reason Volvo's have "tight" steering is because of the short wheelbase, making it feel very tight and quick to respond. It all depends on how the truck is taken care of. I find my Volvo handles very well. Not perfect, but very good. I find they are very sensitive to a toe out situation. Causes extremely poor handling, probably worse then most trucks because they tend to lean side to side more then most trucks.
The only international I drove had a much tighter steering situation then my Volvo. It could be a number of things, worn drag linkage, worn out spring bushings, worn kingpins, worn tie rod ends. Any competent mechanic should be able to nail it down to one of those. I find worn out rear torque arms really amplifies poor handling as well. Can you describe how it handles tracer? Do you constantly have to "see saw" back and forth with the steering wheel? Can it go down a flat straight highway with just one finger on the wheel? (it should!) One way is to get a helper, and while you're parked and engine running wiggle the steering wheel back and forth. It should be very easy to find where the slop is. That is the problem right there!! Hard to find one of those critters!!
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#26
07-20-2009, 11:40 PM
#28
07-21-2009, 06:10 AM
Not possible. I replaced the steering box and the steering shaft while trying to solve the "loose steering" mystery one year ago. The old steering box was creating too much oil pressure ...
I think it's the International trucks' design that's to blame. That's why I'm kind of leaning towards a Freightliner with a rack and pinion steering as my next truck. Or maybe it's the short wheelbase on my International 9400? I only got 230" between the axles ... Does the wheelbase affect the steering at all?
#29
07-21-2009, 02:26 PM
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,316
Actually, it's very possible. I just put a new reman on my truck and it's no good. Waiting for the next one to come in so I can swap it out. I've talked to mechanics that said it's possible to go through a few before you get one that's perfect, new or reman. Just a thought.
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