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Worn king pins=steering wander?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by 04 LowMax, Jul 31, 2015.

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  1. Jul 31, 2015 #1
    04 LowMax

    04 LowMax Medium Load Member

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    My truck has a tendency to slowly "wander" for lack of a better term to one side or the other requiring a correction usually 1.5-2" from center of steering wheel to get it going straight again. I have examined the entire linkage carefully while rotating the steering shaft back and forth (both with engine running, and stopped). There is no one area which has enough play to cause the wander. Spline shaft from column-good, u-joint-recently replaced and good, steering box, recently replaced-good., pitman arm, tight on output shaft-good. Tie rods and drag link all good. There does seem to be a little bit of slop happening in the king pins. Therefore my question, if the king pins and bushings are worn out, could this cause the steering wander? Note, steering tires do not wear unevenly , no cutting, cupping, etc.
     
    04 LowMax, Jul 31, 2015
    04 LowMax, Jul 31, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jul 31, 2015 #2
    taxihacker66

    taxihacker66 Road Train Member

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    Never mind didn't read the whole post.:oops:
     
    taxihacker66, Jul 31, 2015
    taxihacker66, Jul 31, 2015
    #2
  4. Jul 31, 2015 #3
    EndHatred

    EndHatred Medium Load Member

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    do truck alignment test yet?
     
    EndHatred, Jul 31, 2015
    EndHatred, Jul 31, 2015
    #3
  5. Jul 31, 2015 #4
    mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    Steering gear adjustment will make it wonder
     
    mtoo, Jul 31, 2015
    mtoo, Jul 31, 2015
    #4
  7. Jul 31, 2015 #5
    EndHatred

    EndHatred Medium Load Member

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    you also mentioned king pin slop, I had a KW once that I finally got rid of as it had too much play in the king pin area, trailer was always swinging out.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2015
    EndHatred, Jul 31, 2015
    EndHatred, Jul 31, 2015
    #5
  8. Jul 31, 2015 #6
    Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    I do not believe some king pin slop will cause that. I have too many customer claim their trucks drove just fine with badly worn king pins. Some tires can aggressively catch ruts and grooves formed in road surface deformations caused from vehicle traffic and soft road bed. You know those slight dips in the road from where the wheels pass over day in and day out to form those deformations? That is what I mean. Also, some tires seem to really catch the crown of the road and get "sucked" down the other side. It can take 2" or more of steering wheel correction before the trucks responds and counters those dips.
     
    Heavyd, Jul 31, 2015
    Heavyd, Jul 31, 2015
    #6
    BoxCarKidd, beltrans, GrapeApe and 2 others Thank this.
  9. Jul 31, 2015 #7
    old iron

    old iron Road Train Member

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    The only way I could see a king pin / 5th wheel causing problems if it's dry, or run dry and is all galled up. Sometimes steer tires make all the difference.
    Oops meant to reply to end hatred lady.
     
    old iron, Jul 31, 2015
    old iron, Jul 31, 2015
    #7
  10. Jul 31, 2015 #8
    BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    Most common cause of what you describe is incorrect toe in but yes that causes tire wear. Check tie rod ends, on crossbar between tires, for up and down play with a pry bar or c-clap. More than 3/16 to a 1/4 is excessive and may not be seen rotating the wheel back and forth. Insufficient caster and extremely worn front spring pins can also cause this. Jack up the front end and be sure the steering turns freely, engine off.
     
    BoxCarKidd, Jul 31, 2015
    BoxCarKidd, Jul 31, 2015
    #8
    04 LowMax Thanks this.
  11. Jul 31, 2015 #9
    04 LowMax

    04 LowMax Medium Load Member

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    Not yet, but will be considering it.
    Steering box is good, no play.
    When I say "king pins" I didn't mean the one on the trailer, :)
    Yes, I am considering this as a possible factor as well.
    Thanks to all replies so far. And, so far, it doesn't seem that anyone is of the opinion that worn king pins (the ones on the steering axle not the trailer) will cause steering wander.
     
    04 LowMax, Jul 31, 2015
    04 LowMax, Jul 31, 2015
    #9
    Heavyd Thanks this.
  12. Jul 31, 2015 #10
    bandit74

    bandit74 Light Load Member

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    Yep....road walking, I hate when that happens....I bet it is the king pins. Lift front end off ground, see if tires wobble
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2015
    Reason for edit: more info
    bandit74, Jul 31, 2015
    bandit74, Jul 31, 2015
    #10
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