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Shifted Leaf Spring

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by end of the road, May 27, 2011.

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  1. May 27, 2011 #1
    end of the road

    end of the road Heavy Load Member

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    Jul 4, 2010
    Northern Canada
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    During my pre-trip I noticed one of the springs had moved. Did not shift left or right or back or forward but rather has spun or pivoted in place. The front is out 1 inch and the back is out one inch. These springs don't have the shackled to keep them in place, and the u-bolts are not loose.

    I asked one of the older guys and he said this is normal but I am not convinced.

    What does the dslbear say?
     
    end of the road, May 27, 2011
    end of the road, May 27, 2011
    #1
    NRT1945 Thanks this.
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  3. May 27, 2011 #2
    JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

    1,594
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    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
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    It is not normal, and if it continues can cause a problem. You want to write it down on every pre trip.
    It can be put back into place by loosening the "U" bolts, and with a hammer put it back.
     
    JohnP3, May 27, 2011
    JohnP3, May 27, 2011
    #2
  4. May 27, 2011 #3
    AUSSIE DAVE

    AUSSIE DAVE Road Train Member

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    Feb 21, 2010
    OZ - Brisbane
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    u must do a good pre-trip, keep it up. congrats
     
    AUSSIE DAVE, May 27, 2011
    AUSSIE DAVE, May 27, 2011
    #3
    KB3MMX Thanks this.
  5. May 27, 2011 #4
    Volvo92906

    Volvo92906 Light Load Member

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    Jan 14, 2011
    Ohio
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    Sounds like something broke.. Like maybe the aligning pin that keeps the springs centered? Possibly.. And I do not know if you work on your own truck but U-bolts are torque to yield so they cannot be loosened and re-tightened as JohnP3 stated.

    I do agree with Aussie Dave, great job on the pre-trip. I know a lot of drivers who dont look for this kind of stuff, but then again, what do you expect when they have people like me to check everything over when it comes into the shop?
     
    Volvo92906, May 27, 2011
    Volvo92906, May 27, 2011
    #4
    KB3MMX and ramblingman Thank this.
  7. May 27, 2011 #5
    kwforage

    kwforage Road Train Member

    1,047
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    Jun 3, 2007
    Wisconsin
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    Mine shifted so I loosened the u bolts, pounded it back with a hammer, and made a clamp out of some bent steel and a bolt.
     
    kwforage, May 27, 2011
    kwforage, May 27, 2011
    #5
    R29saldivar Thanks this.
  8. May 28, 2011 #6
    end of the road

    end of the road Heavy Load Member

    868
    540
    Jul 4, 2010
    Northern Canada
    0
    Yes, my pre-trips are thorough. I am paid to do a thorough pre-trip so I do. I like it that way too. I feel better about the vehicle I drive.

    There is no way that u-bolt is going to be loosened and re-tightened. Here in the land of rust they are cut off with a torch and replaced when springs are changed. I find it odd that there are no shackles keeping them aligned.

    So the question remains, is it an OOS defect or just a normal thing that should be monitored?
     
    end of the road, May 28, 2011
    end of the road, May 28, 2011
    #6
  9. May 28, 2011 #7
    heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

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    Dec 23, 2009
    AL/TN BORDER
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    can you post a pic? I am interested in seeing what you are seeing.
     
    heavyhaulerss, May 28, 2011
    heavyhaulerss, May 28, 2011
    #7
    safeyankee Thanks this.
  10. May 28, 2011 #8
    canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

    4,352
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    Aug 6, 2010
    western pa
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    its more than likely the centering bolt loosened off a bit--you can do like was posted --put a clamp over it when you get it straight--hmm but since you are hauling propane---i would take it to a shop--they can put a new bolt in it--replace the u-bolts and good to go
     
    canuck in da truck, May 28, 2011
    canuck in da truck, May 28, 2011
    #8
  11. May 28, 2011 #9
    Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Feb 4, 2009
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    Is this like the small back up spring under the main one? Ubolts are starting to come loose.
     
    Heavyd, May 28, 2011
    Heavyd, May 28, 2011
    #9
  12. Dec 24, 2016 #10
    concdriver

    concdriver Bobtail Member

    46
    13
    May 19, 2012
    cambridge,on
    0
    Same with my truck. It was sitting on jack on one side when the shop told me to pull the truck out. As soon as it was off the jack something snapped and broke. I could hear the noise and vibration ( It happened after it was off the jack app 10 feet). Immediately my steering became very light. It has been about a year. Since then 10 shops and 6 dealers have looked at it and they cannot find anything wrong. 4 guys have done the alignment and still no change. I had this put on the Vis check machine and it came out clean. I want that heavy steering feel back, it felt much safer. Out of frustration I started throwing parts at it and replaced king pins and steering gear box. Still no change. I had also noticed that my spring if off by abt 1 inch just like yours. I am planning to change the bushings and the centre pin when I am back from my next trip. Did you get this figured out yet. Plz help if you did. thx
     
    concdriver, Dec 24, 2016
    concdriver, Dec 24, 2016
    #10
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