Kenworth Air-Ride

[GTop]

Anyone here an expert on these systems?We're having problems with the air bags on the right side. We cant keep the right side in level. It's been adjusted both with a load on and without a load on the truck. So far we've checked all the air bags for leaks,replaced the leveling valve,and replaced the dump valve. It's only acting up part of the time. Other times it works like it should. It also seems like the right side is a little bit slower coming up after the bags have been dumped. Thanks in advance.

 

[EMD Diesel Power]

Did you check the air lines themselves for damage, kinked line, squished,smashed line, etc? Are the Airbags the same type and mfg'r all around? Some ideas to chew on... . not sure what you have done.





From the explanation of the problem (slow coming up) it seems like you have a air restriction somewhere. If the left side is fine, trace the line back to the main feed line... . its been awhile since I've worked on KW rigs so Im not sure on exact terms and location of stuff. If I could see it though.....



Could also be something wrong with the leveling valve linkage??? seeing as the problem exists loaded and empty. Memory is failing me on how those are set up.



hope that helps some... . maybe others on the board will jump in with their 2 cents.



Jeff

 

[Big Best]

You might try putting dual valves on ,one on each side.

 

[FFutch]

What year?8 bag?2000 series system(small bags)?We replaced alot of airbags and lines on 2000 and newer trucks. K. W. went with bigger supply lines because the smaller lines weren't keeping up. If it's the old style 8 bag they should be adjusted to 8 1/4"+/-1/2" from the frame rail to the bottom of the bag. Also check your steer axle springs. I've seen a weak spring cause a truck to lean. Also check leveling valve,lines,ect. for kinks,restrictions. Hope this helps... Doug

 

[GTop]

The truck is a 2000 W900 so it has the 2000 series 8 bag system. When its parked on level ground and we dumped the bags the lean went away. Does that mean we could rule out weak steer axle springs?

 

[Hummin Cummins]

Have the same problem with one of our Petes. Leans to the right. We got it fixed once and it came back a while later. It was in the leveling valve. I will talk to my bro-in-law tomorrow. He works on em, I just break em

 

[Speedo]

As long as supply and delivery sides are ok I would still look at

leveling valves. I know you said they were changed but it still

sounds like a leveling valve.



Gus

 

[GTop]

We replaced the leveling valve again and it seems to have done the trick. Thanks for everybodys help

 

[Hummin Cummins]

Just something to keep in mind.



On Peterbilts, Pete's "air trac" suspension. When it came back again, we needed to shim the air bags. We got instructions from the factory on how to do it. Basically you have to measure the air bags when empty and inflated, then level the frame on jackstands, dump the air, and measure the gap in between the "frog" and the springs. It should be the same. Then loosen the spring and slide a shim in between the spring and the airbag. They say to shim the side with the higher measurement. Its a PITA, but it works.



I dont know if KW's are the same or not but we thought we had it fixed for about a year, then it came back again. The shims fixed it.



Glad you got it fixed, but if it goes again, keep this in mind.



Chris

 

[GTop]

Hummin Cummins, I believe the Pete system uses a leveling valve for each axle. KW uses a leveling valve for each side. Its also kinda a PITA to get the truck perfectly level. Lots of readjusting a fraction of an inch at a time. Thanks for the reply.