DJohns Posted August 29, 2020 Report Share Posted August 29, 2020 (edited) I have a 2014 Volvo 630 factory single. I can't remember the WB. The problem is the harsh ride. My light weight wife gets a pretty rough ride going over bridges etc. Has anyone ever converted the steer axle to air ride suspension? I think Hendrickson makes a bolt on kit. I would like the ride of a diesel pusher which I know is dreaming but maybe something softer than what I currently have. Edited August 29, 2020 by DJohns Quote 2002 Beaver Marquis Emerald C-12 Cat 505 HP 2014 Volvo 630 D-13 I Shift SOLD 2017 New Horizons SOLD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 29, 2020 Report Share Posted August 29, 2020 I have a hard time believing it doesn't already have rear air ride. I'm not saying Volvo didn't build truxk with spring ride, but I've never seen a VNL with it. Perhaps your leveling valve is not adjusted correctly. Does your truck have an air ride seat on the passenger side? Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 29, 2020 Report Share Posted August 29, 2020 (edited) Air suspension front axle, I have and wished I didn't. It is a pain to drive. Mushy front system. If I drove it all the time likely get used to but we don't. I also wonder about the passenger seat. Oops, you stated rear suspension. It has got to have it. Never seen one without Edited August 29, 2020 by GlennWest Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJohns Posted August 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2020 27 minutes ago, rickeieio said: I have a hard time believing it doesn't already have rear air ride. I'm not saying Volvo didn't build truxk with spring ride, but I've never seen a VNL with it. Perhaps your leveling valve is not adjusted correctly. Does your truck have an air ride seat on the passenger side? I did not engage brain. I meant steer axle. Quote 2002 Beaver Marquis Emerald C-12 Cat 505 HP 2014 Volvo 630 D-13 I Shift SOLD 2017 New Horizons SOLD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted August 29, 2020 Report Share Posted August 29, 2020 Check your passenger seat for air controls on side. Check and make sure your rear of cab bags are inflated. Do the same with the bags on axle suspension. No need to check any of this until you've started the truck up and let it high idle for at least 5 minutes. Do you see the rear of the truck raise up? If not, you may have a non-functioning air bag switch at the dash! It will have arrows going up and down IIRC. Do you hear any air on the passenger seat when you push any of the switches if any? Quote Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted August 29, 2020 Report Share Posted August 29, 2020 5 minutes ago, DJohns said: I did not engage brain. I meant steer axle. Well then do you see the bags on your front end? Still check rear of cab and seat. Quote Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Check all the air suspension components as mentioned, rear axle, cab and seats. The first thing to change IF these all check out is shock absorbers, they make a significant difference. Steve Quote 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffw Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 What tire pressure do you run for steer & drives? Do you know your unloaded and loaded axle weight? Our 780 isn't singled. Lowering the drive pressures to 75PSI makes a pretty big difference in ride quality. I run the steers at 95 PSI, and that also makes a big difference vs. 110+. Being singled, you won't be able to go as low, but tire pressures can make a huge difference in ride quality. Quote 2007 Volvo 780 Volvo D12D, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moresmoke Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) Also, if the passenger seat is a decent air ride one, make sure the isolator is not locked out. It lets the seat slide front to back just a bit and keeps the backrest from slapping you on every bump. My wife has back/hip issues, and I get a lot less complaints about the HDT than the F350. Edited August 30, 2020 by Moresmoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 The rear suspension also has several different holes on the bottom link of the air leveling ride. These holes change ride height. My truck was on the very top hole, this required more air in the bags to achieve level. I swapped to the lower hole, and less air = softer ride. I also run my tires @95ps@95psi. all the way around. Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJohns Posted August 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Thanks for the advice folks! I guess I will have to do some experimenting. Is there a ride height on volvo trucks like on motorhomes? Quote 2002 Beaver Marquis Emerald C-12 Cat 505 HP 2014 Volvo 630 D-13 I Shift SOLD 2017 New Horizons SOLD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 This leveling valve rod determines the height of the suspension, by which hole the lower link is attached too. Lower hole = lower ride height = less air = lower pressure = softer ride. Go air up your bi cycle tires to 80 psi, go for a ride, then air down to 40 psi, go for a ride, see which you prefer. Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Put some weight back there. Class A's ride so smooth. because they're running heavy. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Changing ride height also changes drive line angles. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegas Teacher Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 6 hours ago, Parrformance said: The rear suspension also has several different holes on the bottom link of the air leveling ride. These holes change ride height. My truck was on the very top hole, this required more air in the bags to achieve level. I swapped to the lower hole, and less air = softer ride. I also run my tires @95ps@95psi. all the way around. I have a really dumb questions does the amount of air in the tire effect your gas mileage? Like I said I know it is a dumb question I was just wondering? Later, Vegas Teacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Minimal affect on mileage. Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 1 hour ago, rickeieio said: Changing ride height also changes drive line angles. Cory, this is a warning! Quote Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Something is wrong. My old Freightshaker rides good. Never rode in passenger seat but it same seat as driver. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 4 hours ago, HERO Maker said: Cory, this is a warning! How much might you suspect the two inches of change will change the drive angle? I will make adjustments with the carrier bearing bracket if necessary. Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 I needed 2" to level my camper and contacted Henry. Mr ET. He said two inches at hitch height would be fine with adjusting ride height. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Glad to hear, I was concerned. Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Now 2" at hitch is not a big change. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 My tow behind hitch came down about 2 1/2 inches total. Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 I will move the leveling rod up one hole, just to be safe. Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 I just got rid of a truck with air ride steer axle. It was horrible. I will never have another. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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