Bringing up an old thread, but we've been deep into this problem for a few months now. We bought a 1996 Volvo WIA that was converted into a 41' motor home. Sorry guess it's not a true HDT or MDt rig. We were originally told the front axle weight was 12K but after having a steer tire blow out on the first trip out we discovered the front axle weight was 14,900 with only 1/4 full fuel tanks (16K with full tanks). Volvo of North America was absolutely no help at all so we currently have a private shop installing a used 18K front axle assembly with all new components and 315/80 tires. We came to this conclusion after talking to one of the Freightliner builders who now puts 18K front axles & 315 tires under all their big 40' rigs. We also just looked at our friends brand new Volvo 45' Show Hauler with an 18K front. We were told that our current front axle capacity was actually 15.7K with a spring change but the truck just didn't feel safe after the blow out. The 315 tires by themselves may have solved the weight issue but we figured we'd try to do it right and changed the whole axle assembly. We've heard all kinds of information on the front axle beams interchangeability and a lot of it seems like mis-information at times. So again we figured the best solution was to go with a true 18K assembly. So far everything has been a bolt-in on our Volvo, including the secondary steering ram for the steering. Our only remaining issues now are the drag link and whether or not the current steering pump and reservoir will handle the load.
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