Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 Hello all, Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on possible cause of driver side leafs fanning out? The truck is a 1988 R688ST. U -bolts tight, frame rails and crossmembers all good, drives straight down road. Trunnion stand looks fine no cracks etc... Rear tandems don't look misaligned to the eye. The passenger spring is fine, no fanning, but Rear T stop is pushed all the way over to right side in the cap. Driver side T stop perfectly centered in cap. Thanks in advance for any insight into possible cause for this. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 10, 2023 Author Share Posted April 10, 2023 Sorry guys, Forgot to add that none of the leafs are cracked or broken. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528907 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 Those leaves probably are broken, the breaks are likely hiding behind the u bolts. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528908 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 I'd be jacking that truck up and cutting the u bolts to inspect leaves. After I ordered a new spring pack. And you'll want to do both spring packs at the same time, otherwise one side of the truck will ride higher than the other. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 center bolts broken?? while wearing safety glasses did you take a sledgehammer and wail the spring leaves back straight ?? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528910 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 I'll let your imagination figure out what happens when all 3 bottom leaves break and the one axle disconnects from the spring pack. Remember the springs "hang" from the axles, so that side will hit the ground. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528911 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 definitely have moved yet don't look to be walking based on dirt covered no signs of shiny metal Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528912 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 10, 2023 Author Share Posted April 10, 2023 Thanks guys, I have not tried to sledge/persuade them back in to alignment. Mechohaulic, I was pondering about possible broken center bolt on that side. Saftey glasses and a large sledge is plan at this point. Then a few trips on the washboard or yard whatever you want to call it, resembles the moons surface at this point in the year, no asphalt millings left over for crater repairs this winter...🤣😑 and re-inspect. Obviously will be keepin her out of service for time being😢 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528916 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 10, 2023 Author Share Posted April 10, 2023 Also should add that the fanning is happening on front and back of spring to the same degree, if leafs were completly broken, I would suspect that the fanning would only be seen on one end of spring, but that still won't rule out any non visible cracking possibly hidden by the u bolts as Joe had suggested, correct??? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528918 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 Wont be a center bolt, they would slide forwards and backwards I would thibk more than side to side However I feel that the elephant ears may well be allowing the springs to walk around a bit How about the trunions, I assume these are rubber or nylon To me I would start here, there is nothing as far as I know to stop the springs fanning out like this so it must be a result of two much movement Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528921 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 The U bolts keep them from fanning out. I suppose you could have a broken U bolt, we did have one of those a couple years ago. But we also had broken springs develop on that same truck. The U bolts keep the springs sandwiched with thousands of pounds of force. The only way the springs could slop around is broken leaves, or stretched/broken U bolts. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528927 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 They are rubber/nylon bushing saddles, you can see the tube/bolt sticking out. Look for broken U bolt on the inside of the spring pack, down IN! the saddle holes. Our broken U bolt had rusted thin down inside the hole and thus the break was in there, where you can't see it unless you know to look for it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528929 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 I like the grease on the slack adjuster.. The spring end moved to one side indicates the plate in the rubber bolster is broken loose. I bet if you turn the truck hard right or left, and set the brakes and get out, the drives will be offset.. is the other end of the crooked spring moved to the opposite side? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528930 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 I looked again... It almost looks like that left rear leaves are cracked right behind the u-bolts.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528931 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mark T Posted April 10, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted April 10, 2023 How about the truck needs two new springs and to be rebushed 😉 5 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528932 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 sure hope this one like others have a follow up with results. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528938 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 11, 2023 Author Share Posted April 11, 2023 Thanks for all the possible things to consider guys, and yes joey mack, the T stop is to the opposite side in the front. Thanks Mark for the advice, I know you are right, Just want to try to learn a bit more about diagnosing some things myself, before I run it to a shop, and they say trucks done, you owe us this much, and I come away with minimal knowledge for the emptiness in my wallet..... No disrespect to you... Thanks as well to JoeH, mrsmackpaul and mecohaulic for chiming in as well.... 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528986 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Remmers Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 It's an unfortunate big expense to the maintenance of a camelback Bill. With all the issues you're having added up the springs and bushings are likely shot. The left side leaves shifted could be just a u bolt defect, but the right side shifting is a good indication of bigger problems. Rebushing the trunnions and replacing the elephant pads would probably be short lived as the ends of the spring are probably worn out. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528987 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mark T Posted April 11, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted April 11, 2023 On a brighter note, what I see there is a suspension that went the distance. Most have some other issues before reaching that point. You're doing something right. 2 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-528989 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 14, 2023 Got an update for you all, Joey Mack was spot on about plate and bolster seperation causing pass spring T-stop to be pushed all the way to the side of the cap... JoeH was also correct on fanning of leaves found rear inside U-bolt broken in saddle and front outside u-bolt bolt rusted thin and bent/about to break in saddle... Luckily no broken or cracked leaves.... U-bolts out and a couple wacks with sledge leaves straightened up well hopefully with some clamping force on them now they will stay put... Thanks guys...😁 2 1 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-529201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 🍻 Now when it gets put back together, make sure you put a set of ''Twinkies'' in the lower boxes, on the ends of the springs.. Glad to hear you are getting it fixed.. jojo Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-529202 Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 12 minutes ago, Joey Mack said: 🍻 Now when it gets put back together, make sure you put a set of ''Twinkies'' in the lower boxes, on the ends of the springs.. Glad to hear you are getting it fixed.. jojo Bet a lot of guys don’t know what your twinkie comment is!😂 terry 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-529204 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 14, 2023 Author Share Posted April 14, 2023 Joey Mack, Slowly but surely. I do prefer driving the old dog to my 99 CH. CH rides a bit better on the air bags, but will get hung up on a piece of pea gravel😜🤣The R model will walk out of just about anything.... Plus the coolness factor just isn't there.... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-529205 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 ''R'' models Kick A$$ !!!! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-529206 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Remmers Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 I've never heard em called Twinkies Jojo! Here's a picture just to make things clear lol Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72708-38k-camel-back-leafs-fanning-out/#findComment-529213 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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