Community Forums

Hawk43 · 06-02-2016, 04:09 PM

I have a 2009 Damon Astoria on a Freightliner chassis. When parked, the RV leans to the right significantly. Is there an adjustment to air in the air ride to compensate for this?

Hawk43

jerichorick · 06-02-2016, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawk43

I have a 2009 Damon Astoria on a Freightliner chassis. When parked, the RV leans to the right significantly. Is there an adjustment to air in the air ride to compensate for this?

Hawk43

Hawk43, have you ever taken your rig to the Freightliner Custom Chassis factory service center in Gaffney, SC? I highly recommend that you make an appointment and get a chassis tuneup done by them.

You do have a ride height adjustment that needs to be adjusted from time to time. But, what you are describing sounds more like a problem than the need for an adjustment. Is the pressure in your tanks about the same? Does this happen only with the engine off? When was the last time you had the air dryer serviced? Have you ever blown the tanks with the air release lanyards?

This is the best I can offer. Hope it helps.

Happy trails,
Rick Y

cbramsey · 06-02-2016, 04:40 PM

x2

Get to a Freightliner Service Center. Worth the time and $$.

ChrisKW · 06-23-2016, 11:23 AM

A possible cause are the Ride Height Valve Push Rod Bushings. Our Freightliner Maxuum Chassis (2014 Itasca Ellipse) has three RH valves, one left-front, one on each side of the rear axle. As I understand it, the rubber bushings are notorious failure item on tractor-trailer rigs due to wear and softening which allows free-play in the push rod. As a result either too much or too little air in the accompanying air bag with throw the coach out of level. In our case, the right-rear bushings were just replaced today. The affected RH valve had caused the chassis to lean low on the right-front or ride high; it was sporadic. After a 30-minute repair and re-leveling adjustment, the ride is perfect.

Last year we had a leaking RH valve on the left-front which showed up as dropped pressure on the primary air system during travel, and also affected correct ride height. The valves are also a common replacement item on tractor-trailer rigs, typically in stock at most Freightliner service centers.

Happy travels!

Chris & Deb - North Venice, FL - 2014 Itasca Ellipse 42QD - Toad: 2014 Jeep Rubicon

jerichorick · 06-24-2016, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisKW

A possible cause are the Ride Height Valve Push Rod Bushings. Our Freightliner Maxuum Chassis (2014 Itasca Ellipse) has three RH valves, one left-front, one on each side of the rear axle. As I understand it, the rubber bushings are notorious failure item on tractor-trailer rigs due to wear and softening which allows free-play in the push rod. As a result either too much or too little air in the accompanying air bag with throw the coach out of level. In our case, the right-rear bushings were just replaced today. The affected RH valve had caused the chassis to lean low on the right-front or ride high; it was sporadic. After a 30-minute repair and re-leveling adjustment, the ride is perfect.

Last year we had a leaking RH valve on the left-front which showed up as dropped pressure on the primary air system during travel, and also affected correct ride height. The valves are also a common replacement item on tractor-trailer rigs, typically in stock at most Freightliner service centers.

Happy travels!

Chris & Deb - North Venice, FL - 2014 Itasca Ellipse 42QD - Toad: 2014 Jeep Rubicon

Good info Chris. Thanks. We have no problems so far. This coach has the SuperSteer Motion Control Units installed. I wonder how the failure your had will show up on my rig?

I doubt I will miss the opportunity to find out some time in our traveling future.

Happy trails,
Rick Y

Kiawah · 06-24-2016, 01:15 PM

Drive up on ramps, and look at the linkage to your height control valves. It senses the distance between the frame and the suspension, and if low puts air into the air bag to raise. I suspect one of the height linkages isn't moving freely, or worn.

You're supposed to check the height adjustments each year, and adjust if necessary. It's about a 15 min job.

If you had a symptom of leaking air which you didn't mention, then the air bag could be blown out. Since that isn't your symptoms, it's more likely the height adjuster isn't telling the bag to fill up (or alternatively the other side to let air out).

Look up the adjustment specs for your frame or call freightliner with your vin. You'll be able to see whether it is the case of one side has put too much air in, or the other side isn't high enough.