haulin-gas Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I'm the very disappointed owner of a 2014 CHU that wanders all over the road like a coyote chasing gophers from ditch to ditch. Have had alignment checked twice at 2 different shops and they both say it's good. Steering box has been replaced under warranty and it didn't help at all. Got rid of the factory Bridgestone steer tires and replaced with Michelins which improved it slightly, but still darts side to side at the slightest rut or twist in the road.Oh yeah, forgot to mention it only has 80,000km on it. Anybody have any ideas, cause the dealership sure don't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Possible that the fifth wheel is too far back? Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_martell Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Loaded, empty or both?? Quote Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haulin-gas Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 Loaded, empty, bobtailing seems to be no difference. Tried 5th wheel in various positions and it makes no difference. Steer axle weighs 5400-5600 kgs (11900-12300#) all the time, depending on fuel level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_martell Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 5000kgs on the steers seems light to me.....my granite roll off is over 7000kgs empty. If the drives are crooked it would wanna follow them.....air ride or other? Quote Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haulin-gas Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 Drives line up perfect. Thrust angles are dead on. It's got the new Twin Y suspension on the back and Mack 14200 steer axle. I know of 2 other owners of the same model having the same problem. One has Hendrickson and the other has NeWay suspension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_martell Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Hmmm....sorry, I think I'm out....... Quote Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheeler73 Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Mack has a steering stablizer kit that you can install that will help with that issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haulin-gas Posted May 25, 2014 Author Share Posted May 25, 2014 wheeler73, if you mean dampening cylinder kit, one of the guys I mentioned has had that installed at the dealership and it didn't make any difference at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheeler73 Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Yes that is what I ment. Has the alignment been checked. If the caster is out it will cause the wander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haulin-gas Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 As I mentioned earlier, the alignment has been checked twice by 2 different reputable shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheeler73 Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Yes but you stated thrust angles only. Caster is a separate steering angle that affects steering sensitvity and steering return to center on its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haulin-gas Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 wheeler73, these are the readings from the last alignment check. Steer axle- Left side Camber= -0.3 deg Caster=3.8 deg Toe= 0.03 deg Right side Camber= +0.3 deg Caster=4.6 deg Toe=0.04 deg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheeler73 Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I will get with my alignment guy at the shop tomorrow and see what the specs are and let you know if he has any ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheeler73 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Sorry I didn't get back yesterday. My alignment guy says the toe and caster are a little off and might cause some wonder. He asked me if the inspection procedure which is a bullitin for the twin Y suspension has been done? Also he would like the alignment measurments of the rears if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Is negative camber on the left and positive camber on the right side correct? Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheeler73 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 My alignment guy said its good. Unfortunately its hard to change camber as it is factory set. The only way is to bend the beam which Mack does not allow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackpro Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 There are some new top secret bronze bottom king pin bushings that just came out. The dealers DSM should be contacted and get the new bushings installed. Part # 4103-7421416557. This is for the FXL sealed hub style axle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haulin-gas Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 wheeler73, these are the "after alignment" readings. And yes, the suspension check has been done as per the bullitin on the twin Y Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haulin-gas Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 There are some new top secret bronze bottom king pin bushings that just came out. The dealers DSM should be contacted and get the new bushings installed. Part # 4103-7421416557. This is for the FXL sealed hub style axle.Thanks for the info. Just talked to the service manager, since mine is in the dealership with the tranny out for the second time in 3 weeks, and he asked me how the hell I found out about the bushings since they only heard about it this week.Too funny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 My alignment guy said its good. Unfortunately its hard to change camber as it is factory set. The only way is to bend the beam which Mack does not allow.OK Thanks.I was thinking that having both sides slightly negative would be the way to go.My older Mack service manual in the alignment section says that "Castor should not vary more than 0`30' from side to side." Maybe your dealer could tighten up the "range" that your castor is set at now so that Both sides would be equal at 4 degrees or 4.2 degrees. Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackpro Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Thanks for the info. Just talked to the service manager, since mine is in the dealership with the tranny out for the second time in 3 weeks, and he asked me how the hell I found out about the bushings since they only heard about it this week.Too funny.Its just not offical yet and has to be approved by a DSM ( to get Mack to cover it under warranty or goodwill). We put the bushings in ( dont ream them, you want them tight) and install the steering damper/stabilizer. If that dont fix it, they have a new thicker front axle to install ( but this is rare). The newest trucks coming out just started having the heavier axle beam and bronze bushings. This all came out about 2 months ago but like I said still not official. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick harper Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 We are experiencing the same problem with a chassis in our shop. The customer has bought 6 and all are doing the same thing. Only one tractor is here in Tulsa. We havent found the problem and neither has the Mack factory. Ill post if we solve the problem. I drove the tractor for about 5 miles and brought it back. Scared me and I dont easily get scared. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post haulin-gas Posted May 29, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 29, 2014 We are experiencing the same problem with a chassis in our shop. The customer has bought 6 and all are doing the same thing. Only one tractor is here in Tulsa. We havent found the problem and neither has the Mack factory. Ill post if we solve the problem. I drove the tractor for about 5 miles and brought it back. Scared me and I dont easily get scared.Great to hear, well you know what I mean. These clowns up here seem to think I'm the only one having a problem.Put 2 trailers loaded with 50,000 litres of sloshing diesel fuel behind you and head up the Alaska Highway every week and see if you won't be pulling leather out of your butt cheeks at the end of every day! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 unspoken rule #1 if its new and has a problem "your the only one complaining about this condition" once you leave the service managers office it's awwhh fu#$ not another one of these piles of shit!!!! will echo off the office walls. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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