4500 issues

[JackN]

Our concrete business just stepped up and bought a new '08 4500 reg cab 60" CA, Aisin, 4. 88 C&C truck. We then outfitted it w/ a CM skirted flatbed, loaded w/ a transfer tank and top boxes. I bought it to replace our '01 3500 dually as it was a little under rated for our 24' gooseneck 20k gvw trailer. Anyhow, I love the truck, and it is most definately a truck compared to my one tons, but I am having a couple of issues, and wanted to see if anyone else is.



My big problem is how bad the steering is. It wanders all over the road, and catches ruts like crazy. The truck did this before being upfitted also. I noticed this in the other two c&c's that I test drove on the lot also, so I believe they are all this way, but I just wanted to ask.



My turn signnal switch has been extremely touchy. Like if I signal to go right, then tap it to disengage right turn, it will engage left turn full on and back and forth. Minor detail, but extremely distracting and unsafe.



At 70+ mph the truck turns into a paint shaker. It is extremely uncomfortable and rattles my mirrors and everything I keep in the cab.



Does anyone else have these issues? I really like the truck and the transmission so far. I haven't got to tow anything yet until I get my Class A CDL, so I am excited to do that.

 

[Ragain]

The higher weight capacity tires with stiff sidewalls aren't as forgiving in wagon ruts causing them to want to climb out of the ruts.

I have noticed on my multi-function switch (turn signal) that a light tap, not pressing down or up past detent, will activate the turn signat to flash 3 times..... good for those who can't remember to cancel their signal after a lane change.

Your jouncy ride will calm down when you load the suspension with a decent amount of cargo weight. This is what its designed for, after all. I think we got used to the mushy Cadillac road-ride suspension of the 3500. If you think your 4500 ride is knocking your eye teeth out, try riding in a Ford 450/550.....

 

[Cattletrkr]

I have noticed on my multi-function switch (turn signal) that a light tap, not pressing down or up past detent, will activate the turn signat to flash 3 times

Yep designed that way.

 

[JackN]

So I have the truck loaded to the gills in all six boxes w/ over 1000 lbs total, and the added weight of the flat bed. The truck is pretty smooth (as can be for a 4500) under 70mph. Above 70 mph the truck feels like the tires are way out of balance. So you are saying this is normal, because of a lack of weight on the stiff tires? I am glad to hear that the turn signals are designed to do that. My truck was way too sensitive to it at first but it has calmed down since then. The wandering on the road sucks though. So this is an unchangeable aspect of those tires also? Thank you.

 

[AKAMAC]

Just for grins and giggles, measure the toe in/out.

Chasing the road is usually a toe in/out factor on the front end.

 

[FATCAT]

Yeah, my 4500's steering is back and forth. Down long streaches of road I am constantly making minor adjustments (seems like the truck is floating a little).



I haven't noticed my turn signal being touchy like you said.



And at 70mph my truck runs prety smoth.



One thing that is a PITA is that when you put the truck in 4wd Low (manual lever), it wants to POP OUT. It did this to me a few times when pulling a trailer out of the mud. I had to SLAM the lever all the way fowrard as hard as I dared to keep it in 4wd Low.



AKAMAC, thanks for the info on the toe in/out factor. Next time I'm at the dealer I'll have them check that.

 

[CUMMINZ]

I hate to suggest this. I have heard of several guys that added 19. 5s to their truck and found that they wander for a while. I just put 19. 5x245s on my 3500 on 6. 75 wheels. For sure the 245 needs a 6. 75" wheel. My tire man pumped them up to max to 95#s when he mounted them. After running them for a week I backed all 6 tires down to 75#s. Either way the tires are good and flat on the road.



If I were you back your pressure down a little. If your 225s are pumped all the way up they may be cresting a little in the middle of the tread. My truck does not wander at all. Did not wander with 95#s. My truck is quite a bit more responsive to turns.

 

[jelag]

I've changed 3 of my trucks to 19. 5's and now have the 5500.

The stiffer tire does in fact follow the ruts. . but what I've found is that the width of a 3500 dually and the track of the real axle is no where close to the track of the ruts made by the cars and their studded tires... my 3500's did this before the change but it is worse...

Our 5500 has no vibration up to 75 mph...

Has anyone turned off the speed limiter??
Has anyone sorted out the ECM connections to power the engine at PTO speeds when its sitting still... .

We'd like to fast idle our 5. 9's at PTO speed... we read in the up fitters manual for the 08 5500 that we can put a switch between to leads on the ECM of the transmission and it will jump the engine up to PTO speeds... . but haven't seen this on the 5. 9's any help here??

Cumminz - still have not seen the truck at home long enough with a load to photograph the rear springs... truck now has 18K miles and running strong... Our tire mileage on the F550 was over 100K miles so we expect that on the 225/80/19. 5" on the 3500 dually's...

 

[JackN]

My tires are probably out of balance really bad if everyone elses trucks are smooth. I am afraid mine is going to take the side mirrors off w/ vibration. I guess I will have them look at that, and I will have them double check that the alignment is in spec. Little annoyances, but so far I love the truck and the automatic (I have never trusted an auto before). The truck is absolutely flawless w/ a heavy trailer, w/ the power and the auto. I am sure my turn signal is fine, as it does what everyone has described them to do. I must be just a bit aggressive in taking it off the detent part and thus barely pushing it to the other side, engaging the three flashes. Good truck all in all.



Jack

 

[JZayac]

My 4500 or 5500 has no vibration.

The swerving will go away once the tires wear in.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I am sure my turn signal is fine, as it does what everyone has described them to do. I must be just a bit aggressive in taking it off the detent part and thus barely pushing it to the other side, engaging the three flashes.

I pulled on to a 4 lane highway a couple weeks ago and hit the blinker to switch lanes. Just as I hit it I saw a truck entering from another road, so I "turned it off". What I really did is cancel out the first 3 blinks and start another 3 blinks going the other way. I mistakenly thought I had turned the other blinker on so I did it again going the other way, back to the original. That poor truck waiting for me lurched, then stopped quick. Poor guy had no idea what the heck was going on. I didn't have my CB installed yet so I couldn't apologize.

Other than that, the 3 blinks thingy is starting to grow on me.

 

[AABEN]

They have a packet that your tire dealers that looks like white power. I had it put in my tires that took care of high speed vibration. The packets are marked for the tire size. I will never let any one place wheel weights on any of my vehicles. have not had then rebalance in 30,000 miles

 

[EB]

You can use the powder, the ceramic b-b's or get a set of Centramatics. I've run the Centramatic Wheel Balancers for well over 500,000 miles now, tires wear smooth and flat, no vibration or bounce.

 

[JackN]

I took the truck to the dealership yesterday for a complimentary oil change, and I had them take a look at the alignment. Sure enough, it was way out from the factory. Now the truck runs smooth, and doesn't wander. The tires still grab ruts a little, but it is most definately night and day difference from before. Thank you guys for the help.

Jack