Our U240 is a wide body but still has the narrow track of the 96" coach. I suspect that Foretravel had a supply of narrow axles to get rid of as they reached the end of production on the Unihomes.
Dave,
That is unique to one model (U240) and one model year (1995).
1995 was the only year of the "wide body" U240 and was the last year of that model.
Be sure to check RIDE HEIGHT, as it is important with the Torsilastic Suspension.
I know it has shims, but never fooled with the suspension, yet. Is this a "yearly" deal or?????? Do I need to go to "CBC" for inspection? Thanks, Brett. ^.^d "Torsilastic" cracks me up, it seems like it should be out of a Dick Van Dyke/Julie Andrews song!
Mike,
You can easily measure it yourself. Look for Brett's guide, but it simply is to measure from the ground to the horizontal flat surface near the tires. The spot to measure the front suspension is behind the tires and rear is on both sides. Best results will be on flat, level concrete.
Do they still make them? Mods are welcome to make this a new thread, but I know Brett dealt with BF Goodrich about the low -carry ability the Torsilastic Suspension had on the 240 with the extra engine weight of the CAT. My files show Brett was at FOT in 2000: the invoice says, " Replace rear torsion tubes and arms, replace shackles and brackets, replace spring assembly". At the same time, FOT "checked all front end components for wear: all rings, tie rod end and drag link." b^.^d
Eagle Bus Company used this suspension for years
and years. It was thought to be the smoothest ride
in the bus industry (Continental Trailways had more
than a thousand busses, over the years) and there
are many still on the road to this day. Think their's were
superior to the ones used by FT.
Carter-
The Eagle torsilastic springs were very different from those used in either Safari or Foretravel.
They are unrelated, as the weight of an Eagle is 2X that of an RV.
Exactly how torsilastic suspension works and how to troubleshoot look at this item on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTORHOME-SUSPENSION-TORSILASTIC-FOR-FORETRAVEL-SAFARI-/201533838561 Looks like a slick setup. -Nick
I always thought torsion bar suspension was a neat idea. I had opportunity to play with them in several VW vehicles, and a '68 Plymouth GTX. The simplicity is appealing...also the easy adjustability. But I guess they had engineering drawbacks, or would still be in common use today.
As I recall my '56 VW window van had a torsion suspension except it used a steel torsion bar rather than a rubber bedded application. It was possible, after long service, to reset the splined arms to account for any sag.
So are these parts being manufactured again or is this NOS? Has anyone ever worked out an airbag mod for these suspensions?
If you are out of ride height shims and ride height is below spec (spec is 32-33" from the "shelf that forms the top of the wheel well behind each wheel position) there several options:
1. New springs from Sulastic. I have no first hand knowledge as to their quality.
2. Air over the torsilastic springs. Have seen and have pictures of a very good installation on a Safari DP with the same suspension. Have not delved in deep enough to find out if this would be a bolt up or would require a different bracket or would be flat impossible. If someone with a U225/U240 wants to get deeper into this and can take some measurements/pictures, just PM me.
3. As I recall, at least one owner supplemented the torsilastic springs with SUMO springs.
Were I to be addressing this on a coach today, I would start with #2 to see if the air over torsilastic is feasible.
When I and then Foretravel went from the 15k to 19k rear springs for the U240 (I worked directly with the engineers at B.F. Goodrich Aerospace on this), this solved much of the rear loss of ride height. Front should never be a problem as most have a stack of shims even at correct ride height.
As brett has mentioned a few times the air over Torsilastic would be a good idea and I have looked at this as a fix for Brother's (Geoff) coach but still not actually done anything. They are bringing their coach up to our home in May I think so along with some other things to do hopefully will get a chance to look at this again and may even make a mock up for this change.
The parts shown can also be bought from a dealer in San Antonio TX and are same price, they also have the shackles at $100 each.
Brett, I would appreciate if you have a picture/info on the smae fix for the Safari I would appreciate it by email if possible.
JohnH
My 1957 Flxible Starliner has a torsion bar suspension and I'll agree that it delivers a very smooth and confident ride.
http://www.gadgetguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_5477.jpg
Given Brett went toe-to-toe with Goodrich and got them to increase the weight capabilities of the 240 with the CAT, I'd heard FT used them from "then on", what I have no files on, is when "then on" was? Never driven a bus FT, but have driven a Marathon/Prevost and the ride of our 240 is just as smooth. ^.^d