5th wheel adjustment

Hi
One of my trucks has a 5th knocking, I’m assuming it’s the jaws that are lose.
Question is how hard is it to adjust the jaws and how do you do it?

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You can buy a kit to replace them and all the spring and other bits had it done to a merc unit.Its a mucky job and can be done without taking the 5th wheel off.

What sort of wheel is it and do you have the dummy pin?
You cant really adjust the jaws
A lot of “adjuster” bolts only adjust the jaw opening and the position of the trigger.
The sliding lock bar controls the grip.
If the jaws are worn you need a new jaw kit and the price of a jaw kit is not much cheaper than a new wheel.

I know it’s a jost wheel. I don’t have any specialist tools. Just some spanners etc

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You dont need speacialist tools.
Its quite simple how they work but very clever.
If you think its worn its easier just to buy a new table and have done with it.
Dirty bloody job and if the throat or collar are worn your just wasting your time.

Jost is a piece of ■■■■, you will need a dummy pin, it may be possible coupled to a trailer , but Ive not tried that myself.
Nearside of the bed is an adjuster bolt and locknut (some are hidden just under the edge of the bed) loosen the locknut, wind out the bolt at least 10 turns, go around the other side and use a hammer to make sure the handle is as far in as it can go, then slowly wind the adjuster bolt back in until the handle starts to move, then wind bolt in another 1.5 turns, tighten locknut, job done.
Also check the wear ring aka the horsehoes 3 allen bolts are tight as they come loose all the time.

If the adjustment makes do difference its jaw kit time, kits on ebay genuine Jost for about 60/70 quid.

The only issue with adjustment is if the bolt has seized, since it is usually 16mm thread it will take some freeing off.

There is one special tool needed for fitting the overhaul kit…a length of baler cord to remove and fit the double spring. Getting the old 6mm split pin out of the release lever pivot pin can be a tad awkward in situ.

You do not need a dummy pin, just couple up to a new trailer which won’t have a worn pin. If you adjust on a worn pin then the jaws will be too tight on an unworn pin and you may not be able to get them to release without assistance.

Are you sure that the banging and slack is in the fifth wheel and not the teeth of the slider?

You can unbolt a pin from a decent trailer, at least then you can see what you are doing, those PTFE collars are simple to change, 3 Allen screws.

Don’t forget to put the pin back or someone will get a hell of a shock on Monday morning [emoji14]