MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Fontaine Fifth Wheel 19

Maintenance SAE Standard King Pin

Steam clean fifth wheel and mounting brackets every

thirty days or 17,000 km (10,000 miles), whichever
occurs first.

Inspection
1. Inspect mounting brackets and fifth wheel assembly
for cracks, loose nuts and bolts.
2. Inspect safety lock latch for free operation.
3. Inspect all springs for secure fastening.
4. Inspect wedge adjustment.
a. Open kingpin lock and insert vertically a 5 cm Figure 19-1
(2 in.) diameter shaft.
b. Release the lock by tripping the release latch at
bottom of throat.
c. Adjust wedge stop to 6 mm (1/4 in.) clearance
from end of wedge.

NOTE: When kingpin is worn, adjust with no clear-

ance between wedge and stop.
5. Oil all fifth wheel moving parts.
6. Grease the two zerk fittings for bracket bearings.
Figure 19-2
7. Grease top plate.
8. Inspect SAE standard kingpin. See Figure 19-1.

IMPORTANT: Do not grease jaw and wedge. Grease

between the jaw and wedge collects dirt and abrasive
matter which cause undue wear.

Proper Cotter Pin Installation

The cotter pin retains the lower bracket pin on the Fon-
taine Model 5000 Fifth Wheel. The proper method of
installing the cotter pin is illustrated in Figure 19-2.

Available from Fontaine is a new retainer pin that

Figure 19-3
replaces the cotter pin. See Figure 19-3.

Before Coupling
1. For adjustable fifth wheel, slide fifth wheel to desired
position and engage securely the locking plungers.

NOTE: Aft
er coupling, check position by setting trailer brakes and
"rocking" trailer.

(04/96) KM819006 Page 1 of 2

 MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Fontaine Fifth Wheel 19
2. Inspect fifth wheel jaw, wedge and handle for open After Coupling
position.
1. Inspect handle for position behind safety latch.
IMPORTANT: Do not try to couple a closed fifth wheel. 2. Inspect kingpin for position ahead of the locked jaw
Damage to mechanism could result in trailer loss. and wedge.

WARNING! Failure to follow these instructions could

lead to a hazardous operating condition.

Troubleshooting

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY

Difficult coupling.
Excessive wear on fifth wheel top
plate.
Difficult uncoupling.
Slack.
1. Kingpin too high to trip latch.
2. Damaged trailer plate or kingpin.
1. Kingpin welded improperly with
welds contacting top plate.
1. Pressure on locking mechanism
caused by truck rolling slightly
away from trailer.
1. Wedge not adjusted correctly.
2. Squirting of wedge.
3. Undersize kingpin.
4. Wear shaft and brackets.
1. Check that upper fifth wheel rides
on lower fifth wheel when cou-
pling.
2 Check trailer plate for flatness.
Check kingpin for squareness
with trailer plate.
1. Check plate and kingpin for
proper installation. Grind smooth
any contact points.
1. Back up tractor and set brakes.
Tap wedge near setscrew.
1. Open kingpin lock and insert verti-
cally a 5 cm (2 in.) diameter shaft.
Relase lock by tripping release
latch at bottom of throat. Adjust
setscrew to approximately 3 mm
(1/8 in.) clearance from end of
wedge.
2. Wash jaw and wedge with solvent
to remove grease.
3. Replace kingpin if greater than 35
mm (1/8 in.) wear at 5 cm (2 in.)
diamter.
4. Rotate the shaft 180° at the
square end.

Page 2 of 2 KM819006 (04/96)