Kenworth T300 SRW turing radius

[Sticks]

My current work service truck is a Kenworth T300. The thing handles like a water buffalo, and it has a 35' turning radius - 70' to make a U-turn (that would be almost 7 lanes of traffic). We have a Peterbuilt tandem dump truck that has a tighter turning radius.



I have noticed that when I try to go full turn, if I hit a bump, I will get an additional 15-30* more turn on the steering wheel - so something is preventing the steering gear from going to full stop. With the front end off the ground it has no problems going from stop to stop, but on the ground she stops short. I can not see or find anything that is worn or binding up. I don't believe it is the steering pump - it turns normally with little effort up to that point where it stops



Ideas anyone. Steering and suspension is not my strong suit.

 

[E7mack96]

what steering box does it have? Some have adjustable stops inside the actual gearbox. Sheppard boxes have this feature. (some dont, but you set the stop the first time it is installed by doing a full lock to lock turn with the front axle off the ground. ) even these can be reset if need be.

 

[mwilson]

Sometimes the stops on the knuckle themselves can be turned in. I see many trucks where the tire will rub the pitman arm on a tight right hand turn.



Freightliner keeps diddling around with rack and pinion steering for tighter turning radius.

Mike.

 

[Wayne M.]

Turning radius is adjustable and is often an issue upon new truck inspection. It's a set once and forget it issue. We have shiny pitman arms too.

 

[Sticks]

I'll take a look at the gear box to see if there is adjustment. I know the stops on the knuckles an be turned in, but with the axle on the ground I rarely hit them - ergo I get the extra turn in the wheel when I hit a bump while trying to go full turn.