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Warning: All fifth wheel maintenance, adjustment, and rebuilding must be done only by a qualified mechanic. Improper or incomplete procedures could result in a possible disengagement of the trailer from the tractor, which could result in personal injury or property damage.
Parts are under spring compression. Wear safety goggles while servicing the fifth wheel. Failure to do so can result in personal injury, due to parts ejecting with force.
- Using a degreaser, clean the fifth wheel and mounting brackets.
- Inspect for cracks in the fifth wheel assembly, the mounting brackets, and mounting components.
- Inspect for wear and damage to moving parts.
- Check for loose nuts and bolts in the fifth wheel and mounting hardware. Tighten nuts and bolts as necessary.
- Check the wedge adjustment.
- Close the fifth wheel on a standard 2-inch (50-mm) kingpin or similar 2-inch (50-mm) diameter shaft so that it locks.
- Push on the wedge stop rod with hand pressure. It should
move in 1/4 inch (6 mm) and spring back out on release.
If the free travel is not 1/4 inch (6 mm), adjust the distance to 1/4 inch (6 mm) by turning the wedge stop rod, on the right side of the top plate, clockwise to reduce the gap and counter-clockwise to increase it.