Re: Steering
Reply #7 –
Ken my X Foretravel dealer mechanic mentioned "clocking" the u joints in the steering column at different rotational positions to reduce the inherent play in the early coaches.
Foretravel made a "brace" at some point in the early uhihomes model run to help this issue.
Yes the 1/4" is noticeable.
Janes T should be able to help with info.
The dead spot was a customer complaint on many not all coaches. Some had it. Some did not. That's why Vincent and the Texas staff came around the the offset steering column " bearings" or u joints.
May be visible if you hold the front tires against something hard and work the wheel back and forth and see what does't transmit the inputs.
I got mine down to the wheel bearings.
If not the box would go to straight line engineering for a for sure blueprint.
You said dead spot. Tires do not do that so I did not ask about them.
Interesting to know if James knows anything about this. If not I will ask my friend who fixed these back then if your 02 would be helped by this.
According to him my 97 is the first year Foretravel moved the steering box over for the wide body box.
Apparently the boxes were located the same as the narrow bodies and the drag link arm was at an angle going from the Pittman arm to the axle.
If I do not have the description correct do not critique me as Vincent mentioned this in passing to me when he first worked on my 97.
Tie rod ends wear quickly. Check for play? A shot of grease may help any wear.
Hope this info is of help. Vincent used to rotate the columns parts and road test. Then rotate if again. Normally one position was better than the others. Did a lot of this testing personally through aug 89 when I left...