Whether you are driving a Freightliner across the country or town, safety is such an important aspect of driving. With that in mind, when your Freightliner starts shaking at random times such as when you are idling, turning, or going fast or slow it can be very disconcerting. You may wonder why exactly that happens.
A Freightliner will shake due to some damaged component on the Freightliner. Some culprits that cause shaking include damaged tires, brakes, or ignition systems. You can find the source of the shaking by determining if it’s coming from the front or the back of the truck, and what you are doing when it happens.
Once you have located the source and timing of the shaking, you can narrow down potential causes and how to fix them. Read on to find out more!
Why Is My Freightliner Shaking?
There are many situations when your Freightliner might be shaking. Let’s look at three of the common ones— shaking while accelerating, braking, and idling— more in detail and explore some ways that it can be fixed in each of these situations.
Shaking While Braking
If the truck is shaking while you are braking, there are two main causes.
These two common issues are:
- Warped rotors. When brakes overheat (such as when they have been slammed down hard) it will reshape the rotor a little bit which in turn can lead to shaking.
- Improperly balanced tires. This can be caused by several things such as hitting a pothole or having the truck parked for a long time which can cause some tires to go flat faster than others.
You can be proactive by replacing your rotors every 50-70,000 miles. If you have not put that many miles on it since last having them replaced, then check to see if your tires are balanced or if any of them are flatter than others. Even a slight height difference in the height between tires can lead to the truck adjusting itself and shaking.
Shaking While Accelerating
If your freightliner is shaking while accelerating, there can be a few issues.
They are:
- Improperly balanced tires. Always make sure to check them first.
- Low transmission fluid. Check on the fluid level, and if necessary, top it off but also make sure there are no leaks as this can lead to more serious damage to the truck.
- A problem with the engine. A way to test this out is to depress the clutch and see if the shaking stops. If it does, then take the Freightliner in to get the engine checked out. If it does not stop shaking, however, then there could be something off with another part of the truck such as the suspension or mounts.
The best thing to do in either of the last point’s cases is to get the Freightliner in to get fixed by a mechanic who specializes in Freightliners.
Shaking While Idling
If you find that your Freightliner starts shaking while you are idling (for example, if you are stuck in a traffic jam) it can be caused by many things.
Some of the most common ones include:
- Faulty plugs or valves. If the truck is on but not in motion, it may cause them to misfire and lead to shaking. Putting too much oil into the engine can also cause shaking if the oil touches the spark plugs.
- Fuel and airflow not working as normal. Being still can cause the fuel to heat up faster and because there is not as much airflow from moving, it can exacerbate the problem.
The best thing to do to help the Freightliner stay working is to avoid idling the truck whenever possible. Second, make sure not to overfill the oil. Finally, adjust the valves and clean the plugs, making sure to get any debris out that may be blocking airflow. If the spark plugs look worn down, have them replaced.
Conclusion
When you are driving a Freightliner, it is incredibly important to make sure that it is working properly and as safely as possible. One problem many truck drivers have experienced is when it seemingly inexplicably starts shaking. There are many reasons why shaking happens. Some of the most common include damage to the tires, brakes, or ignition system.
A truck can start shaking in a variety of circumstances including when the brakes are pressed, when the gas pedal is pressed, or when the truck is idling. To fix these issues check to make sure that the tires are not imbalanced, that the oil has not been overfilled, and that the valves and spark plugs are clear of debris and clean. When in doubt, make sure to bring it to a professional to fix.
